Coadministration of ginger extract-Lactobacillus acidophilus (cobiotic) reduces gut inflammation and oxidative stress via downregulation of COX-2, i-NOS, and c-Myc.

Aim of the study was to evaluate a combination of ginger extract (GE; antioxidant, anti-inflammatory) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LAB; probiotic), in DMH-DSS-induced inflammation-driven colon cancer, in Wistar rats. Effect of varying GE concentration on growth of LAB was assessed in vitro. Colonic histology and permeability, oxidative stress, serum proinflammatory cytokines, expression of selected genes, gut bacteria, and SCFA determination of gut content was monitored after treatment with agents alone or in combination, postdisease induction. Significant increase in LAB CFU was observed following 48 and 96 hr of incubation with GE; 0.4% w/v GE showed the best results and was used in the cobiotic. Cobiotic administration significantly reversed the DMH-DSS-induced colonic histological alterations. Significant (p < .05) reduction in lipid peroxidation and increase in antioxidant levels (catalase and SOD) was observed in cobiotic group, whereas individual agents did not show any effect. Restoration of colonic permeability, decrease in serum inflammatory burden, and downregulation of COX-2, iNOS, and c-Myc expression on treatment with cobiotic was significantly (p < .05) better than individual agents. Neither LAB nor cobiotic administration produced any change in gut bacteria nor SCFA levels, probably due to loss of LAB viability under adverse gut conditions. Study concludes that presented cobiotic has a promising therapeutic potential, which can be improved by a smartly designed formulation.