Anti-inflammatory effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains through MAPK, NF-κB, and AP-1 signaling pathways and its application in soy milk.

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum strains isolated from kimchi and its application in soy milk. L. plantarum WB3801 and L. plantarum WB3802 exhibited probiotic properties. Moreover, L. plantarum strains inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages without inducing cytotoxicity. This resulted in decreased nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 levels. Additionally, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 mRNA levels were downregulated, and the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor-κB, and activator protein-1 was suppressed. Furthermore, fermented soy milk with fructooligosaccharides by L. plantarum strains exhibited stable physicochemical characteristics over the 28-day storage period, and its anti-inflammatory effects were consistent with those of the L. plantarum strains. Therefore, L. plantarum WB3801 and L. plantarum WB3802 can be utilized as functional components in foods with anti-inflammatory effects.