Effect of a probiotic mixture on the biotransformation and bioavailability of deglycosylated ginsenosides

We aimed to investigate the effects of a probiotic mixture comprising Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium animal subsp. lactis, and Bifidobacterium longum on ginsenoside biotransformation using ginsenoside Rb1 and red ginseng extract. Orally administered Rb1 was metabolized into five deglycosylated ginsenosides and absorbed in the murine gut. Plasma Compound K and protopanaxadiol increased significantly by probiotic mixture and decreased by amoxicillin, without significant change in Rb1 and Rd. This suggest that biotransformation of Compound K and protopanaxadiol are probiotic mixture-susceptible. Incubation of red ginseng extract with probiotic mixture also altered the ginsenoside profile: monoglycosylated ginsenosides and aglycones such as Compound K, protopanaxadiol, and Rh1 increased after 24 h. Their plasma concentrations reflected the altered ginsenoside biotransformation process in the gut by the intervention of probiotic mixture. In conclusion, microbiome activation via probiotic mixture supplementation enhance the systemic availability of mono-glycosylated ginsenoside and aglycone and, consequently, may improve therapeutic efficacy of red ginseng extract.