The Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 and the Modulation of Inflammatory Responses by the Extract of Lactobacillus sakei Probio65.

2022-12-09
Vaccines 10(12)

PubMed: 36560517
DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10122106

Study Design

Population: human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells, human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells, or human cervical (HeLa) cells
Methods: The Lactobacillus sakei Probio65 extract (P65-CFS) was tested for safety and efficacy in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 replication; viral load quantification by RT-PCR, MTT assay, ROS and ERK phosphorylation, and inflammatory markers were measured in virus-infected cells at 150 mg/mL.

In the three years since the first outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019, the SARS-CoV-2 virus has continued to be prevalent in our community. It is believed that the virus will remain present, and be transmitted at a predictable rate, turning endemic. A major challenge that leads to this is the constant yet rapid mutation of the virus, which has rendered vaccination and current treatments less effective. In this study, the Lactobacillus sakei Probio65 extract (P65-CFS) was tested for its safety and efficacy in inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 replication. Viral load quantification by RT-PCR showed that the P65-CFS inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells in a dose-dependent manner, with 150 mg/mL being the most effective concentration (60.16% replication inhibition) (p < 0.05). No cytotoxicity was inflicted on the HEK 293 cells, human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells, or human cervical (HeLa) cells, as confirmed by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The P65-CFS (150 mg/mL) also reduced 83.40% of reactive oxidizing species (ROS) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) phosphorylation in virus-infected cells, both of which function as important biomarkers for the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, inflammatory markers, including interferon-α (IFN-α), IFN-ß, and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were all downregulated by P65-CFS in virus-infected cells as compared to the untreated control (p < 0.05). It was conclusively found that L. sakei Probio65 showed notable therapeutic efficacy in vitro by controlling not only viral multiplication but also pathogenicity; this finding suggests its potential to prevent severe COVID-19 and shorten the duration of infectiousness, thus proving useful as an adjuvant along with the currently available treatments.

Research Insights

Supplement	Dose	Health Outcome	Effect Type	Effect Size	Source
Lactobacillus sakei proBio65	—	Reduced Oxidative Stress	Beneficial	Moderate	View source The P65-CFS (150 mg/mL) also reduced 83.40% of reactive oxidizing species (ROS)
Lactobacillus sakei proBio65	—	Reduced Proinflammatory Signaling	Beneficial	Moderate	View source inflammatory markers, including interferon-α (IFN-α), IFN-ß, and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were all downregulated by P65-CFS in virus-infected cells as compared to the untreated control
Lactobacillus sakei proBio65	—	Reduced SARS-CoV-2 Replication	Beneficial	Moderate	View source viral load quantification by RT-PCR showed that the P65-CFS inhibited SARS-CoV-2 replication in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells in a dose-dependent manner, with 150 mg/mL being the most effective concentration (60.16% replication inhibition)