Antiproliferative and antibacterial activities of lactic acid bacteria-fermented pomegranate juice: implications for colon cancer therapy

Abstract

Natural products have emerged as a viable source for cancer prevention and therapy, accounting for over 80% of FDA-approved cancer therapies over the last three decades. Pomegranate juice, known for its potential antioxidant action, has been extensively researched, although its use in cancer treatment remains still unexplored. Lactic acid Bacteria (LAB) is one of the beneficial microorganisms that can increase the bioactivity of fermented foods. The objective of this study was to assess the cancer-fighting potential of cell-free fermented pomegranate juice using lactic acid bacteria on HT-29 cancer cell cultures. The two LAB strains were isolated from the infant feces samples and identified as Lactobacillus pentosus ISB1 and Lactobacillus fermentum ISB2 through the 16s rRNA sequencing method. These strains exhibited 98% survivability under simulated digestive conditions and displayed gamma hemolysis. The LAB fermented juice exhibits both strong antibacterial activity and significant cytotoxic effects against HT-29 human colon cancer cells (IC₅₀ = 32.1 µg/mL). Furthermore, the treatment with fermented pomegranate triggered apoptosis, as demonstrated by DNA fragmentation and nuclear morphological changes. The fermented juice also inhibits mitotic cell division, namely in the G2/M phase. These findings suggest that fermented pomegranate juice has substantial antiproliferative and antibacterial properties, potentially benefiting colon cancer prevention and treatment, as well as broader human health improvements.