Abstract
Background and Aim: Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer a health benefit on the host when administered in adequate amounts. In the present study, the putative probiotic strain was identified from the gut of Drosophila melanogaster and assessed for its protective effect in inflammatory bowel disease. Methods: Active probiotics were screened from the Drosophila melanogaster gut by the selection criteria of gastric juice tolerance, hydrophobic property, antimicrobial potential, adhesion, and invasion properties. The active probiotics were identified by 16s rDNA sequencing and the effect of these active probiotics was evaluated in a Dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced mice model by estimating inflammatory markers and histopathological changes. Results: Nine Gram-positive and bile salt tolerant bacterial isolates were obtained from the gut samples. The isolates PTH 2, PTH 4, and PTH 7 clearly showed significant activity in antimicrobial potential, hydrophobic (>74 %) property, and intestinal juice tolerance. Among these, PTH 7 was selected for further studies due to its significant low-invasion ability and it proved capable of reducing the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. The 16s rDNA studies revealed that PTH 7 was Myroides pelagicus. Administration of M. pelagicus to the DSS-induced colitic animals significantly suppressed myeloperoxidase, ALP, and malondialdehyde levels, and also lowered levels of proinflammatory cytokine expression. Further, the recovery from the disease by the probiotic treatment was supported by histopathological and macroscopic observation. The treated animals did not show any adverse signs in their physiology or behavior. Conclusion: Myroides pelagicus successfully prohibited inflammatory markers and acted as a potent probiotic. Future studies with this stain might prove its efficacy as a drug for the management of colitis.