Anti-Inflammatory Potential of Probiotic Strain Weissella cibaria JW15 Isolated from Kimchi through Regulation of NF-κB and MAPKs Pathways in LPS-Induced RAW 264.7 Cells

Probiotics are known to provide the host with immune-modulatory effects and are therefore of remarkable interest for therapeutic and prophylactic applications against various disorders, including inflammatory diseases. Weissella cibaria JW15 (JW15) has been reported to possess probiotic and antioxidant properties. However, the effect of JW15 on inflammatory responses has not yet been reported. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of JW15 against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. The production of pro-inflammatory factors and the cellular signaling pathways following treatment with heat-killed JW15 was examined in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment with heat-killed JW15 decreased nitric oxide and prostaglandin E-2 production via downregulation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, treatment with heat-killed JW15 suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. The anti-inflammatory properties of treating with heat-killed JW15 were associated with mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway-mediated suppression of nuclear factor-kappa B. These results indicated that JW15 possesses anti-inflammatory potential and provide a molecular basis regarding the development of functional probiotic products.