In vitro anticancer activity against HCT-116 cells and in vivo anti-inflammatory efficacy of mannose-laden exopolysaccharide from probiotic Pediococcus pentosaceus 4412

Introduction Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) are complex carbohydrate structures that play an incredible role in immunomodulation and mitigating inflammatory factors. This study examines the anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities of EPS produced by Pediococcus pentosaceus 4412. Methods We performed probiotic assays on isolated P. pentosaceus 4412 and assessed the in vitro antioxidant potential of the extracted EPS-4412. To evaluate the anticancer potential of EPS-4412 on human colorectal cancer (HCT-116) cells, cytotoxicity, functional assays, and gene expression were studied. The anti-inflammatory potential in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated C57BL/6 mice was demonstrated using ELISA, biochemical assays, and histopathological analysis. Results and discussion The probiotic potential of P. pentosaceus 4412 was superior to that of the standard strain Lactobacillus plantarum MTCC 2621. EPS-4412 inhibited the growth of Bacillus cereus MTCC 1272 at a concentration of 10 mg/mL and maintained 92% ± 1.68% viability of HaCaT cells at 400 μg/mL. EPS-4412 scavenged DPPH (86.09% ± 0.34%), ABTS (54.43% ± 0.85%), hydroxyl (62.23% ± 0.31%), and superoxide free radical (49.15% ± 0.71%), and exhibited a reducing power of 1.54 ± 0.03. It displayed cytotoxicity of 33.09% ± 2.09% against HCT-116 cells at 100 μg/mL. EPS-4412 impeded the migration of colon cancer cells and disclosed better permeability through HCT-116 cells. EPS-treated cells altered cytoskeletal morphology, chromatin condensation, and nuclear fragmentation during dual staining. Consequently, EPS-4412 drastically elevated the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 levels and decreased the pro-inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α, thereby alleviating the inflammatory response in LPS-induced C57BL/6 mice. EPS-4412 elevated reduced glutathione and catalase activities while attenuating malondialdehyde levels. Histopathological analysis of the intestine, liver, and spleen tissues revealed its protective effects. Consequently, we propose that P. pentosaceus 4412 and its EPS be positioned as a functional food agent and a pharmaceutical supplement.