Combination product for prophylaxis and treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

A combination product comprising an isolated strain of Bifidobacterium NCIMB 41003 and another strain which does not adversely interact with Bifidobacterium NCIMB 41003 improves gastrointestinal symptoms associated with IBS and improves one or more of mood, stress, anxiety, sleep quality and depression associated with LBS.

1 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A method of reducing anxiety of a human subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a formulation comprising a  Bifidobacterium  strain deposited under accession number NCIMB 41003, a second bacterial strain, and an ingestible carrier, wherein the subject has irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and the formulation reduces anxiety associated with IBS. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the formulation improves one or more of the following:
 improves mood associated with IBS;   reduces stress associated with IBS;   improves sleep quality associated with IBS;   treats depression associated with IBS; or   normalises dysregulated cortisol awakening response associated with IBS.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the formulation reduces inflammation associated with IBS. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein each of the  Bifidobacterium  strain NCIMB 41003 and the second bacterial strain is present in the formulation in an amount of more than 10 6  cfu. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the second bacterial strain is a  Lactobacillus  strain, a  Lactocossus  strain, or a  Bifidobacterium  strain other than  Bifidobacterium  strain NCIMB 41003. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the formulation is in the form of a broth, a powder, capsule, or tablet. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the formulation comprises a food product chosen from acidified milk, a yoghurt, a frozen food, a gum, a candy, a milk powder, a milk concentrate, a cheese spread, a nutritional composition, a nutritional supplement, a cereal bar, a dressing, or a beverage. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the formulation further comprises at least one of a prebiotic material, a protein, or a peptide. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the formulation further comprises a lipid, a carbohydrate, a vitamin, a mineral, a trace element, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the formulation further comprises a drug entity or a biological compound. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the formulation provides a dose of 5×10 8  cfu to 1×10 9  cfu per day per strain. 
     
     
         52 . A method of reducing anxiety and stress of a human subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a formulation comprising a  Bifidobacterium  strain having accession number NCIMB 41003 and a second bacterial strain, wherein the subject has irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and the formulation reduces anxiety and stress associated with IBS. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the formulation reduces inflammation associated with IBS. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the formulation improves one or more of the following:
 improves mood associated with IBS;   improves sleep quality associated with IBS;   treats depression associated with IBS; or   normalises dysregulated cortisol awakening response associated with IBS.   
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the formulation is in the form of a capsule or a tablet. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the formulation is in the form of a broth or a powder. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the formulation further comprises an ingestible carrier, a lipid, a carbohydrate, a vitamin, a mineral, a trace element, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein each of the  Bifidobacterium  strain NCIMB 41003 and the second bacterial strain is present in the formulation in an amount of more than 10 6  cfu. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the formulation further comprises a food product. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the formulation further comprises a drug entity or a biological compound.