Evaluation of the Herbal Extracts as Potential Prebiotics for the Growth of Probiotic Microorganisms

Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that maintain and regulate bacterial balance within the digestive system, while prebiotics are non-digestible oligosaccharides that selectively stimulate these beneficial microbes. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of seven medicinal plant extracts as prebiotics for enhancing the growth of probiotic strains, including Lactiplantibacillus plantarum MYSDV2, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103, and Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-1079. The herbal extracts were from flowers of Hibiscus rosasinensis, Woodfordia fruticosa L , Rosa canina L. and Punica granatm, Bark of Mangifera indica, Stem of  Bambusa vulgaris  and leaves of Camellia sinensis. The polyphenol content of these extracts were ranged between 43.2% and 58%. A culture medium supplemented with these extracts was used to assess the growth rates of the probiotic microorganisms. Amongst of all extracts tested, the hibiscus flower extract demonstrated the highest growth-enhancing effect, increasing the growth of L. rhamnosus by up to 126.45%, and e also promoting the growth of L. plantarum and S. boulardii by 75.52% and 70.14%, respectively. An Escherichia   coli inhibition assay using a co-culture method revealed that L. rhamnosus and L. plantarum significantly inhibited the growth of E. coli in the presence of aqueous Hibiscus flower  extract. These findings indicate that hibiscus flower extract is a promising prebiotic that can enhance probiotic growth and inhibit pathogenic bacteria like E. coli. However, further clinical studies are necessary to confirm these effects in human subjects, providing deeper insights into the therapeutic applicability of this extract.