Comprehensive evaluation of Lactobacillus strains and Bacillus coagulans against Bisphenol-A induced neuronal and cardiac toxicities

Bisphenol A (BPA) has emerged as an environmental pollutant in the last decade. It is imperative to reduce and limit the absorption of this chemical as it can negatively affect vital organs, including brain and heart. There is no direct curative option for BPA-induced toxicity hence, to bridge this gap, this study was conducted to evaluate the prophylactic effects of Bacillus coagulans against BPA-induced neuro- and cardio- toxicities. In silico techniques were utilized to study the toxicophore of BPA, followed by in vitro probiotic studies to select the best strain with the most physiological stability and pharmacokinetic properties. Positive effect of probiotic against cytotoxicity produced by BPA was studied on PC12 and H9c2 cell lines. After model standardization to select suitable dose for BPA induced toxicities, 42 male wistar rats were divided into seven groups for in vivo studies: normal control (Group 1), probiotic (Group 2), BPA alone (Group 3), BPA + standard treated (Group 4), BPA + probiotic (low dose) (Group 5), BPA + probiotic (medium dose) (Group 6), and BPA + probiotic (high dose) (Group 7). Morphological parameters, blood pressure, electrocardiogram, inflammatory cytokine level, antioxidant levels, brain and heart biomarkers, and histology were evaluated to investigate the protective effects. The probiotic showed protective effects, reflected by modulation of MDA, BDNF, CK-MB and IL-6 levels, along with improved tissue histology; however, a consistent dose-dependent response was not observed across all evaluated parameters. Thus, the findings suggest that Bacillus coagulans may have prophylactic potential against BPA-induced neuronal and cardiac toxicities.