Exploring the hepatoprotective potential of the probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum E1K2R2 and its exopolysaccharide-postbiotic on ibuprofen-induced acute liver injury in rats.

Abstract

The present study investigates the hepatoprotective effect of a probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum E1K2R2 and its exopolysaccharide (EPS) against ibuprofen-induced acute liver injury, and to explore the involved underlying mechanisms. Hepatotoxicity was induced by administration of a single dose of ibuprofen (200 mg/kg body weight). The Lpb. plantarum E1K2R2 (10⁹ CFU) and its EPS (200 mg/kg bw) were separately used to feed rats for seven consecutive days before ibuprofen administration. Liver toxicity was assessed by monitoring levels of serum liver enzymes, liver relative weight, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers, and through histopathological analysis. The results showed that ibuprofen administration significantly increased (P < 0.05) liver relative weight, elevated levels of alanine-amino transferase (ALT), aspartate-amino transferase (AST), decreased hepatic gluthatione (GSH) and endogenous antioxidant enzymes including, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, nitric oxide (NO) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in hepatic tissues. However, pre-treatment with Lpb. plantarum E1K2R2 and its EPS significantly attenuated these toxicity manifestations. Both pre-treatments restored liver weight, normalized transaminase enzyme levels, enhanced the activity of liver antioxidant enzymes (SOD and CAT), increased GSH content, and significantly reduced NO, MPO and MDA levels (P < 0.05), indicating their protective role against oxidative stress and inflammatory response induced by ibuprofen. Furthermore, histopathological analysis confirmed regular liver morphology in rats pre-treated with the probiotic and its EPS. These findings highlight the potential effectiveness of the probiotic Lpb. plantarum E1K2R2 and its EPS in mitigating ibuprofen-induced liver toxicity.