Synbiotic composition for improving immune response and antioxidant capacity during aging and a process for the preparation thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a synbiotic combination of i) a probiotic micro-organism comprising of a Lactobacillus strain, and ii) a catechin component comprising EGCG that acts as a second generation synbiotic with synergistic effects in improving the immune response and antioxidant capacity during aging that may beneficially affect the health of elderly. The catechin fraction exhibited differential effects on growth of bacteria with strong inhibition of pathogenic bacteria as opposed to probiotic bacteria suggesting its prebiotic efficacy. In vitro testing indicated protective effects of catechin and probiotics in a synergistic manner resulting in amelioration of oxidative and inflammatory stress. In vivo analysis in aging animals further indicated that the synbiotic combination could rejuvenate the aging immune system by enhancing cellular immune response with increase in numbers (CD3+ T cells) as well as activation status of cellular immune cells (CD3+ T cells/neutrophils) along with their functional capacity (Th1/Th2 immune response) coupled with a corresponding decrease in humoral immune response (IgA) in intestine suggesting the impact of synbiotics in activating cellular immunity. Further, total antioxidant capacity (in plasma) increased in synbiotic fed animals with increased Nrf2 expression while no unwarranted exacerbation of inflammation (NfkB expression) was observed in liver extracts. Several of the observed effects showed synergism wherein the effect of synbiotics was more pronounced than pure additive effects of individual components. Together, it appears that this novel synbiotic formulation could significantly impact aging physiology and help ameliorate some of the deleterious effects during aging.

1 . A second generation synbiotic composition, wherein the said composition comprises:
 (i) a probiotic micro-organism  Lactobacillus fermentum  MCC 3160, and (ii) a prebiotic epigallocatechin gallate [EGCG] isolated from  Kangra  green tea leaves ( Camellia sinensis ),   wherein the ratio of component (i): component (ii) ranges from 1:1 to 2:1.   
     
     
         2 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the EGCG can be derived either synthetically or from a natural source. 
     
     
         3 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the composition is administered in the dosage ranging from 6.66 to 10 mg/kg body weight of a human subject. 
     
     
         4 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , useful for improving immune response and antioxidant capacity in humans during aging. 
     
     
         5 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an enhancement of immune response in humans comprises a modulation of cellular immune response with a general increase in numbers of CD3+ T cells, along with enhanced activation of CD3+ T cells and neutrophils as well as activation of both Th1 and Th2 immune systems. 
     
     
         6 . The composition as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an enhancement of antioxidant capacity in humans comprises activation of Nrf2 transcription factor resulting in robust antioxidant capacity and thus-enhanced redox homeostasis during aging. 
     
     
         7 . A process for the preparation of the composition as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising:
 a. preparing a 1 to 10 micromolar solution of the prebiotic epigallocatechin gallate;   b. culturing the probiotic  Lactobacillus  strain in an MRS medium followed by incubation at 37°degree C. for 16 to 24 hours with shaking; and   c. mixing the epigallocatechin gallate solution obtained in step (a) with the  Lactobacillus  strain obtained in step (b) to provide the desired synbiotic composition.