Psychobiotic potential of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum: Current perspective in neurodegeneration and geriatric therapies

Management of neurodegenerative disease can be challenging when there is limited access to effective treatment options. Recent studies indicate that human gut microbiota may influence neurodegenerative diseases and the aging process. Gut microbiota dysbiosis is one of the exacerbating factors associated with the interrupted gut-brain axis and neurodegenerative diseases. According to preclinical evidence, targeting gut microbiota by probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LBP) may be a promising approach to improve altered gut microbiota and several neurodegenerative hallmarks. LBP has been a popular probiotic model but its psychobiotic potential is little understood so far. LBP can modulate altered gut microbiota and maintain intestinal homeostasis, resulting in induced levels of SCFAs, GABA, and other neurotransmitter. LBP-associated signaling agents induce the gut-brain axis (GBA) and stimulate intracellular antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways in the nerve cells. LBP-based probiotic supplements may reduce various neurodegenerative hallmarks such as β-amyloid formation, tau phosphorylation, microgliosis, infiltrated blood-brain barrier, neuroinflammation, and influence the morphology of grey matter in several neurodegenerative animal models such as Alzheimer’s disease, autism spectrum disorder, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. This review suggests LBP may be an important psychobiotic agent to modulate perturbed gut microbiota associated neurodegenerative disease. LBP administration may enhance the existed neurodegenerative treatment, especially associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis and geriatric conditions.