Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, part of the Mitsubishi Chemical Group, conducted a clinical study to verify the efficacy of the spore-forming lactic acid producing bacteria probiotic Heyndrickxia coagulans (formerly Weizmannia, Bacillus) coagulans (Heyndrickxia coagulans SANK70258) for alleviating cold-like symptoms in humans. The study demonstrated that this probiotic relieved cold-like symptoms, and the results were published in “Frontiers in Immunology.”
Unlike general lactobacillus, H. coagulans is characterized by spore formation, which provides acid and heat resistance, allowing it to reach the intestine alive and germinate there. Previous research has confirmed its benefits on the intestinal environment, constipation, and skin functions. The present clinical study investigated its potential to relieve cold-like symptoms.
This 8-week intervention study included 79 subjects aged 20-65 who were susceptible to cold-like symptoms. They were divided into two groups: one receiving a capsule with at least 1 billion cells of H. coagulans (H. coagulans group: n = 39) and the other receiving a placebo capsule (placebo group: n = 40). The evaluation of cold-like symptoms revealed significantly lower scores for runny nose, stuffy nose, sneezing, and sore throat, as well as fewer cumulative days with these symptoms in the H. coagulans group compared to the placebo group.
These effects were associated with the activation of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC), which are believed to control protection from viral infections, and the activation of natural killer cells, along with an increase in salivary secretory IgA levels. Additionally, in the H. coagulans group, inflammation was suppressed due to an increase in intestinal butyric acid levels.
These findings suggest that H. coagulans activates pDC, eliciting comprehensive immunostimulatory effects, and enhances butyric acid production in the intestine to suppress excessive inflammatory responses, thereby contributing to the relief of cold-like symptoms.
Heyndrickxia coagulans SANK70258 This spore-forming lactic acid producing bacteria, isolated in 1949 by Prof. Ooki Nakayama (Professor Emeritus of The University of Yamanashi), has long been used as a probiotic. It is characterized by its ability to survive gastric acid and reach the intestine alive, exerting various benefits such as controlling intestinal metabolic functions and suppressing intestinal infections.
