Oral administration of Lactobacillus plantarum K68 ameliorates DSS-induced ulcerative colitis in BALB/c mice via the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities

► We assessed the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of L. plantarum K68. ► K68 inhibited LPS-induced TNF-α and PGE2 in RAW 264.7. ► Oral administration of K68 ameliorates DSS-induced BALB/c UC. ► Treated mice showed reduced levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and MPO in colonic protein. ► Colonic mRNA levels of TNF-α, COX-2, Foxp3, SOCS3, and TLR4 in treated mice were reduced.