Probiotics are known to provide the host with immune-modulatory effects and are therefore of remarkable interest for therapeutic and prophylactic applications against various disorders, including inflammatory diseases. Weissella cibaria JW15 (JW15) has been reported to possess probiotic and antioxidant properties. However, the effect of JW15 on inflammatory responses has not yet been reported. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of JW15 against lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. The production of pro-inflammatory factors and the cellular signaling pathways following treatment with heat-killed JW15 was examined in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment with heat-killed JW15 decreased nitric oxide and prostaglandin E 2 production via downregulation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, treatment with heat-killed JW15 suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α. The anti-inflammatory properties of treating with heat-killed JW15 were associated with mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathwaymediated suppression of nuclear factor-κB. These results indicated that JW15 possesses antiinflammatory potential and provide a molecular basis regarding the development of functional probiotic products.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the functional properties of Weissella cibaria JW15 (JW15) by investigating its antagonistic and antioxidant activities. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) was used for comparison as a reference strain. JW15 inhibited the growth of pathogenic bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis, and Escherichia coli). Compared to LGG, JW15 showed rapid organic acid production, with the amounts of lactic and acetic acids being lower and higher, respectively. In addition, JW15 significantly inhibited intestinal epithelial adherence in the tested pathogens. JW15 exhibited antioxidant effects by scavenging radicals including DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radicals, and inhibiting lipid peroxidation. JW15 exhibited significant antagonistic and antioxidant activities compared to LGG in the tested assay (p \ 0.05). The results suggested that JW15 might possess a potential for amelioration of disorders induced by pathogenic bacteria or oxidative stress.

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The flower of Inula britannica contains various phenolic compounds with prophylactic properties. This study aimed to determine the anti-adipogenic effect of an I. britannica flower aqueous extract (IAE) and its underlying mechanisms in the 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and to identify the phenolic compounds in the extract. Treatment with IAE inhibited the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by showing a dose-dependently suppressed intracellular lipid accumulation and significantly mitigated expression levels of lipogenesis- and adipogenesis-associated biomarkers including transcription factors. IAE exerted an anti-adipogenic effect through the modulation of the early phases of adipogenesis including mitotic clonal expansion (MCE). Treatment with IAE inhibited MCE by arresting the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase and suppressing the activation of MCE-related transcription factors. Furthermore, IAE inhibited adipogenesis by regulating the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and Akt signaling pathways. Protocatechuic acid, chlorogenic acid, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, and 6-methoxyluteolin, which are reported to exhibit anti-adipogenic properties, were detected in IAE. Therefore, modulation of early phases of adipogenesis, especially MCE, is a key mechanism underlying the anti-adipogenic activity of IAE. In summary, the anti-obesity effects of IAE can be attributed to its phenolic compounds, and hence, IAE can be used for the development of anti-obesity products.