Abstract

EFFECT OF PHYTOCOMPOUNDS ON THE GROWTH OF HOMOLOGOUS BENEFICIAL VAGINAL LACTOBACILLI (BVL) STRAINS AND THEIR COMPATIBILITY FOR THE DESIGN OF PHYTOBIOTICS FOR THE VAGINAL TRACT HEALTH

Antonella Marchesi, Jessica Alejandra Silva, María Cecilia Aristimuño Ficosecco, Birgitt Wiese and María Elena Fátima Nader-Macías*

ABSTRACT

Background: Lactobacilli are the predominant bacteria in the vaginal tract, and while they are present, can prevent infectious situations, being used as probiotics for the health of the tract. Phytocompounds are used historically to prevent or maintain the health of the tract, and is possible to combine both bioactives for novel vaginal formulas. The aim of this work was to study the effect of Phytocompounds (individual or combined extracts) on the growth of homologous vaginal lactic acid bacteria and their compatibility, to go further in the design of a combined pharmabiotic formula for the prevention or treatment of urogenital tract infections. Methods: the effect of phytocompounds approved by Pharcopoeias was evaluated on the growth of beneficial lactic acid bacteria previously isolated from the vaginal tract. Statistical methods, as CART, were applied to determine the stimulatory or inhibitory effect of the vegetal sources on bacterial growth by applying different methodology. Compatibility between phyto and lactobacilli was determined, and the phenolic compounds contents quantified, to define the optimal conditions for the formula design. Results: The BVL strains showing highest growth values with most of the Phytocompounds under study were L. gasseri CRL 1361, L. ga. CRL 1509 and L. ga. CRL 1263, and L. jensenii CRL 1333 and L. jen. CRL 1317, indicating the behavior is strain-dependent, and vegetable-compound-affected. The most adequate Phytocompounds were: Carica, Centella, Plantago, Uva ursi*, Zarzaparrila*, Cola de caballo, Echinaceae, Ortiga and Palo Azul. Conclusions: The BVL strains showing optimal resistance to the phytocompounds and compatibility with them were L. gasseri CRL 1320, 1307, 1509, L. salivarius CRL 1296 and L. rhamnosus CRL 1332 combined with Uva ursi*, Zarzaparrilla* and Echinaceae that will be used for the design of optimal phytobiotic formulas.

Keywords: Beneficial Vaginal Lactobacilli (BVL); Phytocompounds; Design of vaginal formula, Probiotic properties; Phytobiotics.