The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the main causes of cervical cancer in women, while there are currently no treatment nor intervention to reduce the concentration of cervical HPV. We thus aimed to investigate the effects of a probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Probio87 (orally administered at 9 log CFU/day) or placebo for 12-weeks, on reducing the abundance of vaginal HPV in HPV-positive women. A parallel, randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled study was performed where women were randomised to either the probiotic (n = 44, mean age 41.70 ± 1.06 years) or placebo (n = 45, mean age 41.13 ± 1.20 years). After 12 weeks, the probiotic group showed reduced vaginal HPV abundance ( ) and Nugent scores ( ) as compared to the placebo. VAS and VuAS questionnaires showed that the probiotic group had improved vulvar dryness ( ), soreness ( ), social interactions, daily activities ( ), and sexual activity ( ) compared to the placebo group. Blood gene expressions showed that the placebo group had higher upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, ; IFN-γ, ) and T-cell markers (CD44, ; CXCR5, ; CD4, ) compared to the placebo group, indicating increased inflammation. Neurotrophic factors BDNF and CREB were upregulated in the placebo group ( ), with higher IDO ( ) and TDO ( ) expressions compared to the probiotic group, suggesting increased kynurenine pathway activity and stress. Overall, probiotic supplementation appeared to reduce the abundance of vaginal HPV, possibly by lowering inflammation and enhancing immunity while mitigating the negative impacts of HPV infection on quality of life in HPV-positive women. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05316064).

Azka Ainun Nisaa, Chern-Ein Oon, Sasidharan Sreenivasan, Venugopal Balakrishnan, Deepa Rajendran, Jun-Jie Tan, Fatin Fazrina Roslan, Svetoslav Dimitrov Todorov, Woo-Sik Jeong, Feiyan Zhao, Nur Syafiqah Mohamad Nasir, Zakuan Zainy Deris, Heping Zhang, Yong-Ha Park, Guoxia Liu, and Min-Tze Liong. Prev Nutr Food Sci 2023;28:1-9. https://doi.org/10.3746/pnf.2023.28.1.1

The elucidation of the gut-brain axis underscores the critical role of probiotics in enhancing mental wellbeing through immunomodulatory mechanisms. We thus aimed to investigate the effects of a probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Probio87 (orally administered one sachet/day; 9 log cfu/sachet) or placebo for 12-weeks, on immunity and brain health, via possible mechanisms of inflammation and neurotransmitter functions in a generally healthy women population. A parallel, randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled study was performed in generally healthy women (n = 112). Women were randomised to either the probiotic (n = 58, mean age 38.38 ± 0.85 years) or placebo (n = 54, mean age 38.91 ± 0.98 years) for 12-weeks. Immunity and mental wellbeing profiles were evaluated via questionnaires and blood gene expression profiles. Over the study period, the Probio87 group demonstrated a better impact on general women’s health as compared to the control group, as measured by the Women’s Health Questionnaire (WHQ), particularly in domains related to depressed mood, somatic symptoms, anxiety, sexual health, sleep, and menstrual health. The probiotic effects were exhibited later, typically after 6-weeks of intervention, taking over placebo effects that primarily faded off during early stages of the intervention. Regarding immunity, women in the Probio87 group exhibited upregulation of more immunity-related genes than those in the placebo group, primarily associated with NK cells and anti-inflammatory effects via IL-10. Additionally, Probio87 provided gut-brain axis benefits by enhancing the actions of neurotransmitters serotonin and GABA, while also balancing hunger and satiety. The probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Probio87 significantly improved general health, mood, anxiety, and sleep in a generally healthy women population over 12 weeks. It enhanced immune function through increased expression of immunity-related genes and positively modulated neurotransmitters involved in brain health. All these findings supported from our WHQ data, where the administration of probiotic improved domains related to depressed mood, anxiety, sexual behaviour and sleep problems. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier number: NCT05302687.

Background/Objectives: This study evaluated the in vitro probiotic potential of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Probio87 (Probio87), focusing on its physiological robustness, safety, antimicrobial properties, and anticancer activity, with relevance to vaginal and cervical health. Methods: Tests included acid and bile salt tolerance, mucin adhesion, and carbohydrate utilization. Prebiotic preferences were assessed using FOS, GOS, and inulin. Antibiotic susceptibility was evaluated per EFSA standards. Antimicrobial activity of the cell-free supernatant (CFS) was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida species. Effects on Lactobacillus iners and L. crispatus were analyzed. Anticancer properties were assessed in HeLa, CaSki (HPV-positive), and C-33A (HPV-negative) cervical cancer cell lines through proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and cell cycle assays. Results: Probio87 showed strong acid and bile tolerance, efficient mucin adhesion, and broad carbohydrate utilization, favoring short-chain prebiotics like FOS and GOS over inulin. It met EFSA antibiotic safety standards. The CFS exhibited potent antimicrobial activity, including complete inhibition of Candida albicans. Probio87 selectively inhibited L. iners without affecting L. crispatus, indicating positive modulation of vaginal microbiota. In cervical cancer cells, the CFS significantly reduced proliferation and angiogenesis markers (p < 0.05), and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in HPV-positive cells, with minimal effects on HPV-negative C-33A cells. Conclusions: Probio87 demonstrates strong probiotic potential, with safe, selective antimicrobial and anticancer effects. Its ability to modulate key microbial and cancer-related pathways supports its application in functional foods or therapeutic strategies for vaginal and cervical health.