A Potential Probiotic Lactiplantibacillus Plantarum Isolate from Egyptian Cottage Cheese Alleviates Metabolic Syndrome Manifestations: In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization

Abstract Isolation of beneficial probiotics from traditional foods is a priority in functional food research. We isolated and characterized a lactic acid bacteria (LAB) probiotic strain from Egyptian cuisine, with therapeutic applications for alleviating the manifestations of metabolic syndrome (MetS), including hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia and obesity. LAB ( n = 10) were isolated from 12 food and juice samples, identified and assessed in vitro for glucose- and cholesterol-lowering capabilities. The most promising isolate underwent probiotic characterization, including gastrointestinal tolerance, surface hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation, and milk fermentation capacity. Other beneficial properties, such as exopolysaccharide production and antimicrobial activity, were also tested. The selected isolate was evaluated for a hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic effect using a high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced hypercholesterolemia and diabetes model in Wistar rats. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Y 10b , isolated from Egyptian cottage cheese, reduced glucose and cholesterol levels in vitro by 53 ± 0.47% and 98 ± 0.18%. It showed good probiotic characteristics: minimal viability loss in simulated gastrointestinal conditions (0.07 and 0.08 log 10 CFU/mL), good hydrophobicity (> 70%), high auto-aggregation (82.6 ± 0.86% after 24 h), positive exopolysaccharide production, milk fermentation capability with 21-day storage stability, and an antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Salmonella enterica ATCC 14028, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 10031, and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. In vivo administration of L. plantarum Y 10b in a MetS rat model resulted in significant hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, and anti-obesity effects. In conclusion, L. plantarum Y 10b is a promising probiotic for managing MetS manifestations. Further clinical investigations for use as a therapeutic intervention are highly recommended.