The role of Lactobacillus plantarum (camel milk isolate) in inflammation and acute pain modulation: a comparative study with acetaminophen in animal model

Background: Recent studies indicate that modulation of the gut-microbiota through probiotics may offer innovative therapeutic alternatives. This investigation assessed the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Lactobacillus plantarum NIMBB003, a probiotic strain isolated from camel milk, using a rat model of acute inflammatory pain. Methods: Forty-two male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups, including controls, formalin-induced pain, formalin with vehicle, formalin with acetaminophen, and three groups receiving oral L. plantarum at doses of 10 7 , 10 9 , and 10 11 CFU/mL for 14 days. Acute pain was induced via the formalin test, assessing nociceptive behaviors during early (0–5 minutes) and late (15–60 minutes) phases. Serum inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, and IL-6 were measured. Results: In this study, the highest probiotic dose (10 11 CFU/mL) produced significant analgesia of a similar magnitude to acetaminophen, with reduced pain behaviors in both phases of the formalin test ( P < 0.001). Lower probiotic doses did not yield significant analgesic effects. Moreover, high-dose L. plantarum and acetaminophen treatments significantly lowered serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-2, and IL-6 ( P < 0.05 to P < 0.01). Conclusion: These results demonstrate that L. plantarum NIMBB003 has strong, dose-dependent analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in an acute pain model. At a concentration of 10 11 CFU/mL, its efficacy was in the same direction as that of acetaminophen in this model, suggesting its potential as a safe and effective alternative for treating acute inflammatory pain. This is consistent with increasing evidence that probiotics can influence behavioral antinociception with minimal impact on systemic inflammation.