Lactobacillus plantarum (VR1) isolated from an Ayurvedic medicine (Kutajarista) ameliorates in vitro cellular damage caused by Aeromonas veronii

We report the isolation of L. plantarum (VR1) from Kutajarista, and efficacy of its cell free supernatant (CFS) in amelioration of cytotoxicity caused by Aeromonas veronii. On the part of probiotic attributes, VR1 was tolerant to pH 2, 0.3% bile salts and simulated gastric juice. Additionally, VR1 also exhibited adhesive property to human intestinal HT-29 cell line. Furthermore, CFS of VR1 was antibacterial to enteric pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Aeromonas veronii and clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa and E. coli. Detailed study regarding the effect of VR1 CFS on A. veronii cytotoxicity showed a significant decrease in vacuole formation and detrimental cellular changes in Vero cells. On the other hand, A. veronii CFS caused disruption of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and actin in MDCK cell line, which was prevented by pre-incubation with CFS of VR1.This is the first study to report isolation of L. plantarum (VR1) from Kutajarista and characterisation for its probiotic attributes. Our study demonstrates the antagonistic property of VR1 to A. veronii and effect of VR1 CFS in reduction of cellular damage caused by A. veronii in both Vero and MDCK cell lines.Lactic acid bacteria is now widely used as probiont for its multifactorial benefits to humans as well as to organisms like fish, poultry and other live stock. In addition to various sources of isolation [1-3], several recent studies have described the isolation and characterisation of probiotic microorganisms from traditionally fermented sources like Dongchimi, Kimchi, Meju, and Doenjang [4], and Kallappam batter, Koozh and Mor Kuzhambu [5]. Likewise, traditional Ayurvedic medicines might serve as a source and a reservoir of potential probiotic microbes. Nevertheless, there are very little efforts made in exploration of probionts from ayurvedic fermented sources. To the best of our knowledge, Kanjika is the only Ayurvedic source explored in detail for the isolation