Efficacy Evaluation of Heat Attenuated Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Stored at Different Shelf-Life Conditions in Experimental Model of Castor Oil-Induced Diarrhea

Abstract

Introduction: Acute watery diarrhea is a major problem especially in the paediatric population. Heat attenuated probiotics is a widely known therapeutic option with numerous health benefits. But evidences suggest that altered storage condition can alter the cell membrane integrity of heat attenuated probiotics, no studies have evaluated the efficacy of heat attenuated probiotics in diarrhea condition and simultaneously evaluated the impact of different storage conditions on anti-diarrheal efficacy of heat attenuated probiotics.

Objectives: The current research evaluated the anti-diarrheal efficacy of heat attenuated Lactobacillus rhamnosus stored in different storage conditions.

Methods: Heat attenuated probiotic was stored at 25°C ± 60% RH and 40°C ± 75% RH for 12 months. At baseline, months 6 and 12, representative samples from the storage conditions were collected and evaluated for anti-diarrheal efficacy. Male Albino Wistar rats (n=64) were randomised into groups to receive either saline, loperamide, or representative samples of heat attenuated probiotics at different storage conditions. Following diarrhea induction by castor oil, rats were evaluated for onset of diarrhea, number and weight of diarrhea faeces, and GI transit length using charcoal meal test.

Results: Heat attenuated probiotics and loperamide therapy significantly reduced diarrhea onset duration, total number and mass of diarrhea faeces, and intestinal transit length compared to disease group with loperamide group showing better efficacy than the heat attenuated probiotics group. Efficacy was reduced with therapy of heat attenuated probiotics stored at 25°C for 6 and 12 months by 31.20% and 38.26%, and that stored at 40°C for 6 and 12 months by 35.61% and 43.55%, respectively, compared to heat attenuated probiotics therapy stored at baseline condition. Similar results were observed for all evaluated parameters.

Conclusions: The results of this study shows that heat attenuated probiotics can be considered as effective measure for the management of acute watery diarrhea. The study also highlights the importance of optimal storage condition for maintaining the cell membrane integrity of heat attenuated probiotics that have direct influence on its overall efficacy.