Appraisal of the anti-cancer potential of probiotic Pediococcus pentosaceus GS4 against colon cancer: in vitro and in vivo approaches

• Probiotic GS4-produced CLA showed anti-proliferative effect to HCT-116 cells.
• GS4 reduced oxidative stress, which in turn mitigated colon cancer in vivo.
• GS4 influenced gut microflora biohydrogenation in colon cancer prevention.
• GS4 intervention triggered apoptotic consequences in cancerous colonocytes in vivo.
• Thus, probiotic GS4 could be used as functional food against colon cancer.

Probiotic Pediococcus pentosaceus GS4 produces conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) through biohydrogenation, which may be vital for colon cancer mitigation. Here, we have appraised the anti-cancer potential of probiotic GS4 against colon cancer. CLA produced by probiotic GS4 reduced the proliferation of HCT-116 in vitro rendering towards apoptosis and subsequently abrogated NF-κB and p-Akt. Probiotic GS4 efficiently mitigated colon cancer in azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colon cancer mice model, which was evident from reduced disease severity, alleviated oxidative stress and neoplastic characters. Further delineation of underlying consequences at the level of host–microbe interface, the probiotic GS4 arbitrated the gut microflora-associated biohydrogenation, which subsequently triggered apoptosis in colonocytes, apparent from PARP cleavage, caspase 3 activity, DNA fragmentation and inhibition of HDAC activity. Conclusively, modulation of host–microbe interface with selective colonizing strategies combined with unique biohydrogenation ability of probiotic GS4 promises to be a therapeutic/functional food supplement responsible for mitigation of colon cancer.