Anti‑Helicobacter pylori activity of Lactobacillus plantarum LZU-J-Q21, LZU-J-Q25 and LZU-J-QA85 in vitro evaluation

Abstract

Abstract Purpose The aim was to investigate the inhibitory potential of probiotics sourced from Northwest China Plateau Region against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), targeting the reduction of H. pylori colonization and associated inflammation. Methods Phenotypic assays including aggregation, cell adhesion, and hydrophobic activity were performed to characterize strains. Anti- H. pylori activity of lactobacillus was determined by the Oxford Cup diffusion method, urease assay and co-culture assay. To test immune modulation activity of lactobacillus, and TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 expression in AGS was determined by RT-qPCR. Results Here, we screened three well-characterized probiotic strains, Lactobacillus plantarum LZU-J-Q21 (Q21), LZU-J-Q25 (Q25) and LZU-J-QA85 (QA85). All three lactobacillus strains were tolerant to the simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Mixture of three lactobacillus strains showed the highest adhesion ability to AGS cells. All tested strains exhibited an inhibitory effect against H. pylori. The suspension and cell-free supernatant of three strains showed abilities to inhibit H. pylori urease activity. All the treatment of AGS cells with Q21, Q25, QA85, and mixture significantly decreased the TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8 expression induced by H. pylori infection. Conclusions Q21, Q25, QA85, and their mixture possesses potent inhibitory activity against H. pylori infection, growth, and H. pylori-induced inflammation. These results suggest that lactobacillus and its derivatives have the potential as complementary agents against H. pylori infection and alleviate inflammatory response.