No abstract

Synergistic combination of probiotics with carbohydrate based prebiotics is widely employed for the treatment of various gut related disorders. However, such carbohydrate based prebiotics encourage the growth of pathogens and probiotics, equally. Aim of the study was (i) to explore the possibility of using epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) a phenolic compound, as a prebiotic for L.plantarum; (ii) to develop and evaluate a microstructured synbox (microencapsulating both probiotic and EGCG together) in rat model of alcohol liver disease (ALD); and, (iii) to confirm whether the combination can address issues of EGCG bioavailability and probiotic survivability in adverse gut conditions. Growth enhancing effect of EGCG on L. plantarum (12.8±0.5 log 10 units) was significantly (p≤0.05) better than inulin (11.4±0.38 log 10 units), a natural storage carbohydrate. The formulated synbox significantly modulated the levels of alcohol, endotoxin, hepatic enzymes and restored the hepatoarchitecture in comparison to simultaneous administration of free agents. Additionally, using a battery of techniques, levels of various cellular and molecular markers viz. NF-kB/p50, TNF-α, IL12/p40, and signalling molecules TLR4, CD14, MD2, MyD88 and COX-2 were observed to be suppressed. Developed microbead synbox, as a single delivery system for both the agents showed synergism and hence, holds promise as a therapeutic option for ALD management.

Alcohol-related disorders are one of the challenging current health problems with medical, social, and economic consequences. Endotoxemia, oxidative stress, and release of a variety of inflammatory molecules are established mediators in alcoholic liver injury (ALD). Probiotics like L. plantarum though were reported to attenuate ALD, their in vivo health benefits are limited by their survival and sustenance in the adverse gut conditions. Therefore, to enhance their in vivo performance, chitosan coated alginate beads entrapping L. plantarum were prepared, characterized, and evaluated for their efficacy against ALD in rats. Following chronic alcohol exposure, rats developed endotoxemia, showed enhanced levels of liver enzyme markers, NF-κB levels, and increased cytokines such as TNF-α and IL12/p40 subunit, and reflected significant histological changes in the intestine and liver. However, cosupplementation with double layered microencapsulated probiotic significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the levels of endotoxemia, serum transaminases, NF-κB, and cytokines complemented with restoration of normal histoarchitecture of the intestine and liver. It is being documented here for the first time that the probiotics have the potential to inhibit IL-12/p40 subunit which is a recently explored potential marker for developing novel therapeutic agents. This study reveals that microencapsulation of probiotics may offer a biopharmacological basis for effective management of ALD.

Emerging drug resistance has forced the scientific community to revisit the observational data documented in the folklore and come up with novel and effective alternatives. Candidates from eukaryotic origin including herbal products and antimicrobial peptides are finding a strategic place in the therapeutic armamentarium against infectious diseases. These agents have recently gained interest owing to their versatile applications. Present review encompasses the use of these alternative strategies in their native or designer form, alone or in conjunction with antibiotics, as possible remedial measures. Further to this, the limitations or the possible concerns associated with these options are also discussed at length.