Efficacy of probiotics in hair growth and dandruff control: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Probiotics are intellectually rewarding for the discovery of their potential as a source of functional food. Investigating the economic and beauty sector dynamics, this study conducted a comprehensive review of scholarly articles to evaluate the capacity of probiotics to promote hair growth and manage dandruff. Methods: We used the PRISMA 2020 with Embase, Pubmed, ClinicalTrials.gov, Scopus, and ICTRP databases to investigate studies till May 2023. Meta-analyses utilizing the random effects model were used with odds ratios (OR) and standardized mean differences (SMD). Result: Meta-analysis comprised eight randomized clinical trials and preclinical studies. Hair growth analysis found a non-significant improvement in hair count (SMD = 0.32, 95 % CI -0.10 to 0.75) and a significant effect on thickness (SMD = 0.92, 95 % CI 0.47 to 1.36). In preclinical studies, probiotics significantly induced hair follicle count (SMD = 3.24, 95 % CI 0.65 to 5.82) and skin thickness (SMD = 2.32, 95 % CI 0.47 to 4.17). VEGF levels increased significantly (SMD = 2.97, 95 % CI 0.80 to 5.13), while IGF-1 showed a non-significant inducement (SMD = 0.53, 95 % CI -4.40 to 5.45). For dandruff control, two studies demonstrated non-significant improvement in adherent dandruff (OR = 1.31, 95 % CI 0.13-13.65) and a significant increase in free dandruff (OR = 5.39, 95 % CI 1.50-19.43). Hair follicle count, VEGF, IGF-1, and adherent dandruff parameters were recorded with high heterogeneity. For the systematic review, probiotics have shown potential in improving hair growth and controlling dandruff through modulation of the immune pathway and gut-hair axis. The Wnt/ß-catenin pathway, IGF-1 pathway, and VEGF are key molecular pathways in regulating hair follicle growth and maintenance. Conclusions: This review found significant aspects exemplified by the properties of probiotics related to promoting hair growth and anti-dandruff effect, which serve as a roadmap for further in-depth studies to make it into pilot scales.

The Potential Teeth Bleaching and Halitosis Prevention Effects of Pediococcus inopinatus THK-30, a Kimchi-Derived Lactic Acid Bacterium: In Vitro Study.

BACKGROUND: Recent developments in addressing dental aesthetic concerns, encompassing issues like teeth discoloration and halitosis, underscore the demand for safer alternative solutions. PURPOSE: This study aims to confirm the effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from kimchi on artificial teeth bleaching and their potential impact in terms of preventing halitosis-related bacteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To evaluate the antimicrobial effects against oral pathogens, disc diffusion tests and broth microdilution methods were used. Additionally, crystal violet analysis was performed to confirm the biofilm inhibition effect. The bleaching effects on stained artificial teeth were analyzed using the CIEDE2000 colorimetric method. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism 9 with one-way and two-way ANOVA, with the significance level set at α < 0.05. RESULTS: The strain THK-30, isolated from kimchi, exhibited antibacterial activity against Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum, and was identified as Pediococcus inopinatus. Moreover, THK-30 showed a synergistic antibacterial effect against Gram-negative oral pathogens with 8% sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP). In the stained artificial teeth bleaching test and artificial teeth biofilm inhibition test, the cell-free supernatant of THK-30 displayed significant teeth bleaching effects and caused the inhibition of biofilm formation, both independently and in combination with SHMP 8%. CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated the potential applicability of LAB in teeth discoloration and halitosis. These findings are poised to provide a foundation for the development of research pertaining to the control of oral bacteria.

Human Milk-Derived Enterococcus faecalis HM20: A Potential Alternative Agent of Antimicrobial Effect against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

The increasing global impact of skin diseases, fueled by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), emphasizes the necessity for alternative therapies with lower toxicity, such as lactic acid bacteria (LAB). This study aims to isolate potential LAB from human milk and evaluate their efficacy against MRSA using various methods, including well diffusion, microdilution, crystal violet assay, enzymatic characterization, SDS-PAGE, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Among the 26 LAB screened, the human milk-derived strain HM20 exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against S. aureus CCARM 3089 (MRSA), which is a highly resistant skin pathogen. Through 16S rRNA sequencing, strain HM20 was identified as closely related to Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 19433T, which was subsequently designated as Enterococcus faecalis HM20. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the cell-free supernatant (CFS) of HM20 against S. aureus KCTC 3881 and S. aureus CCARM 3089 was determined to be 6.25% and 12.5%, respectively. Furthermore, the effective inhibition of biofilm formation in S. aureus KCTC 3881 and S. aureus CCARM 3089 was observed at concentrations of 12.5% and 25% or higher, respectively. The antibacterial effect of the CFS was attributed to the presence of organic acids, hydrogen peroxide, and bacteriocins. Additionally, the antimicrobial peptides produced by HM20 were found to be stable under heat treatment and analyzed to have a size below 5 kDa. SEM image observations confirmed that the CFS of HM20 caused damage to the cell wall, forming pores and wrinkles on S. aureus KCTC 3881 and S. aureus CCARM 3089. This comprehensive investigation on strain HM20 conducted in this study provides foundational data for potential developments in functional materials aimed at addressing skin infections and antibiotic-resistant strains in the future.

Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Effect of Bacteriocin-Producing Pediococcus inopinatus K35 Isolated from Kimchi against Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

BACKGROUND: Recently, the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria due to the misuse of antibiotics has attracted attention as a global public health problem. Many studies have found that fermented foods are good sources of probiotics that are beneficial to the human immune system. Therefore, in this study, we tried to find a substance for the safe alternative treatment of multidrug-resistant bacterial infection in kimchi, a traditional fermented food from Korea. METHOD: Antimicrobial activity and antibiofilm activity were assessed against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa using cell-free supernatants of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from kimchi. Then, UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis was performed to detect the substances responsible for the antimicrobial effect. RESULTS: The cell-free supernatant (CFS) of strain K35 isolated from kimchi effectively inhibited the growth of MDR P. aeruginosa. Similarly, CFS from strain K35 combined with P. aeruginosa co-cultures produced significant inhibition of biofilm formation upon testing. On the basis of 16s rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain K35 was identified as Pediococcus inopinatus. As a result of UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis of the CFS of P. inopinatus K35, curacin A and pediocin A were detected. CONCLUSION: As a result of this study, it was confirmed that P. inopinatus isolated from kimchi significantly reduced MDR P. aeruginosa growth and biofilm formation. Therefore, kimchi may emerge as a potential source of bacteria able to help manage diseases associated with antibiotic-resistant infections.

Dyella kyungheensis sp. nov., isolated from soil of a cornus fruit field.

A Gram-reaction-negative, aerobic, motile by one polar flagellum, yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain THG-B117(T), was isolated from soil of a cornus fruit field of Hoengseong province in South Korea and its taxonomic position was investigated by a polyphasic study. Strain THG-B117(T) grew well at 25-30 °C and at pH 6.0-8.0 in the absence of NaCl on nutrient agar. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain THG-B117(T) was shown to belong to the family Xanthomonadaceae and be related to Dyella japonica XD53(T) (98.7 % similarity), Dyella terrae JS14-6(T) (98.0 %), Dyella koreensis BB4(T) (96.9 %), Dyella soli JS12-10(T) (96.9 %) and Dyella thiooxydans ATSB10(T) (96.7 %). DNA-DNA hybridization experiments showed that DNA relatedness between strain THG-B117(T) and its phylogenetically closest neighbours was below 45.1 %. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain THG-B117(T) was 64.8 mol%. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, unidentified aminolipids, unidentified aminophospholipids and unidentified phospholipids. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data (major ubiquinone was Q-8, and major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1ω9c) supported the affiliation of strain THG-B117(T) with the genus Dyella. The results of physiological and biochemical tests suggested that strain THG-B117(T) was different genotypically and phenotypically from recognized species of the genus Dyella, and represents a novel species of this genus. The name Dyella kyungheensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain THG-B117(T) ( = KACC 16981(T) = JCM 18747(T)).

Lactobacillus yonginensis sp. nov., a lactic acid bacterium with ginsenoside converting activity isolated from Kimchi.

A Gram-reaction-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, catalase-negative, facultatively anaerobic, rod-shaped, ß-glucosidase-producing lactic acid bacterium, designated strain THK-V8(T), was isolated from the Korean fermented food, Kimchi, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Strain THK-V8(T) was able to grow at 4-40 °C (optimum, 30 °C) and pH 4.0-7.0 (optimum, pH 6.0). Strain THK-V8(T) had the ability to transform ginsenoside Rb1 to Rd. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity data, strain THK-V8(T) was shown to belong to the genus Lactobacillus. Strain THK-V8(T) was related to Lactobacillus koreensis DCY50(T) (98.8% sequence similarity), Lactobacillus parabrevis LMG 11984(T) (97.7%), Lactobacillus senmaizukei L13(T) (97.5%), Lactobacillus hammesii TMW1.1236(T) (97.3%) and Lactobacillus brevis ATCC 14687(T) (97.2%). Subsequently, sequence analysis of the RNA polymerase alpha subunit gene (rpoA) confirmed that strain THK-V8(T) showed a maximum rpoA gene sequence similarity value of 93% with Lactobacillus brevis LMG 6906(T). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 47.8 mol%. The DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain THK-V8(T) and Lactobacillus parabrevis DCY50(T) and Lactobacillus parabrevis LMG 11984(T) were 46.1 ± 4.9% and 10.6 ± 2.9%, respectively. The major fatty acids were summed feature 7 (comprised of C(19:0) cyclo ω10c/19ω6), C(14:0), C(16:0) and C(18:1)ω9c. The cell wall peptidoglycan was of the A4α L-Lys-D-Asp type. The phenotypic and molecular properties indicated that strain THK-V8(T) represents a novel species within the genus Lactobacillus, for which the name Lactobacillus yonginensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THK-V8(T) ( =KACC 16236(T) =JCM 18023(T)).

Pedobacter kyungheensis sp. nov., with ginsenoside converting activity.

The Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile, non-spore forming, and rod-shaped bacterium designated as THG-T17(T) was isolated from the soil of a ginseng field of Pocheon in Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. The growth of strain THG-T17(T) occurred at 4-40°C and pH 4.0-9.0 with 1-2% (w/v) NaCl on nutrient agar. Strain THG-T17(T) displayed ß-glucosidase activity that was responsible for its ability to transform ginsenoside Rb(1) (one of the dominant ginsenosides of ginseng) to compound F2 via gypenoside XVII. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain THG-T17(T) was shown to belong to the genus Pedobacter and was related to Pedobacter soli 15-51(T) (98.8%), Pedobacter sandarakinus DS-27(T) (98.0%) and Pedobacter terrae DS-57(T) (98.1%). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 42.4 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain THG-T17(T) and its phylogenetically closest neighbors were below 14%. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data, especially analysis of cellular fatty acid, supported the affiliation of strain THG-T17(T) to the genus Pedobacter. The results of genotyping and biochemical tests showed strain THG-T17(T) to be differentiated genotypically and phenotypically from the recognized species of the genus Pedobacter. Therefore, the novel isolate represents a novel species, for which the name Pedobacter kyungheensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain THG-T17(T) (=KACC 16221(T) = LMG 26577(T)).

Hijikia fusiforme protects against ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats.

The prophylactic effects of Hijikia fusiforme on bone metabolism were examined using in vitro indices of bone formation and resorption. As the indices of bone formation, osteoblast proliferation and differentiation were measured through mitochondrial enzyme activity [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay] and bone marker alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. The aqueous extract of H. fusiforme stimulated the proliferation of the human osteoblast-like cell line MG63 and the ALP activity of the mouse osteoblast-like cell line MC3T3-E1. Moreover, extracellular matrix mineralization was accelerated by the addition of H. fusiforme. As the indices of bone resorption, differentiation of the murine macrophage/osteoclast precursor cell line RAW 264.7 by receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) was measured as tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleated cells, which were suppressed by H. fusiforme. Additionally, H. fusiforme lowered the secreted amount of RANKL that is required for the osteoclastic differentiation and activation, but the amount of osteoprotegerin as a decoy receptor for RANKL was not affected. The bone-protective effects of H. fusiforme in estrogen-deficient ovariectomized rats were also investigated. Osteoporosis was induced in female Sprague-Dawley rats by ovariectomy for 15 weeks, and then H. fusiforme was orally administered at a dose of 100 mg/kg of body weight every day for 6 weeks. Bone mineral density in the group orally administered H. fusiforme was increased, compared with ovariectomized rats, but not significantly (P>.05). Oral administration of H. fusiforme improved microarchitecture of bone in terms of bone volume (bone volume/total volume ratio) and trabecular separation (P<.05). The amounts of osteocalcin and C-telopeptide type I collagen in serum were measured as the biomarkers for bone formation and resorption. The level of osteocalcin in serum was increased, but not significantly. However, the level of C-telopeptide type I collagen in serum was significantly decreased (P<.05). When the results are taken together, the present study indicates that H. fusiforme might be useful in the treatment of osteoporosis.