IngredientsCurrent and former scientific names: Following a broad reclassification of the genus Lactobacillus according to physiological criteria, clade-specific signature genes, core genome phylogeny, and pairwise average amino acid identity, the genus was reorganised into 25 genera. As a result of this revision, Lactobacillus plantarum was renamed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. Because the new genera suggested for this group all still begin with an "L," the abbreviated genus and species names remain unchanged in the literature. The organism is therefore frequently encountered in both the older designation Lactobacillus plantarum and the current designation Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (abbreviated L. plantarum or Lpb. plantarum).
Taxonomic history: The species was first described by Orla-Jensen in 1919 and formally named Lactobacillus plantarum by Bergey et al. in 1923 (Approved Lists 1980). The NCBI Taxonomy ID is 1590; the type strain designations include ATCC 14917, DSM 20174, JCM 1149, and NCTC 13644, among others.
Morphology and basic physiology: Lpb. plantarum is a straight rod-shaped (bacillus), Gram-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming, microaerophilic, mesophilic bacterium. Although it is catalase-negative, some strains grown under special conditions possess true catalase and manganese-containing pseudocatalase activities. It is an aerotolerant bacterium that grows at 15 °C and in concentrations of 4% NaCl, but not at 45 °C, and it produces both the D and L isomers of lactic acid.
Metabolic classification: It is a facultative heterofermentative lactic acid bacterium that utilises an extensive range of fermentable carbon sources. L. plantarum is an ubiquitous species of lactic acid bacterium found in a wide range of ecological niches including vegetable, meat, and dairy substrates and the gastrointestinal tract; the diversity of niches it occupies is related to its capacity to ferment a broad range of sugars.
Genome characteristics: L. plantarum has one of the largest genomes known among the lactic acid bacteria and is a very flexible and versatile species. The current taxonomy of the Lactiplantibacillus plantarum group comprises 17 closely related species that are indistinguishable from each other using commonly applied 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
Subspecies: L. plantarum is closely related to the species Lactobacillus fabifermentans, Lactobacillus paraplantarum, Lactobacillus pentosus, and Lactobacillus xiangfangensis. Within L. plantarum, subspecies have been identified, including L. plantarum subsp. argentoratensis and L. plantarum subsp. plantarum.
L. plantarum is a Gram-positive bacterium found in a variety of niches. These niches include dairy, meat, and vegetable fermentations, and it is also found in the human gastrointestinal tract.
Isolates of L. plantarum have been widely used as starter cultures in the production of fermented vegetables and other crops, fermented dairy products such as cheese, fermented meat products, and as a probiotic for humans and animals.
Lpb. plantarum strains have been used in the food industry as starter cultures in the production of cheeses, olives, and a wide variety of fermented foods and beverages, contributing to their organoleptic properties, flavour, and texture. One example food in which high concentrations of Lpb. plantarum can be found is table olives — one of the oldest and most popular fermented foods, consumed all over the world and produced principally in the Mediterranean area (Italy, Spain, and Greece), where Lpb. pentosus and Lpb. plantarum may be found in quantities of around 108 CFU/g.
L. plantarum (currently Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) is the main bacterial species associated with olive processing. Numerous studies have been carried out on the metabolism of phenolic compounds by L. plantarum strains, due to the great importance of these compounds in the health-beneficial properties of olive products.
Lactobacillus plantarum is widely distributed and is a nomadic species that commonly exists in a variety of fermented foods, including fermented vegetables. Genetically, the guanine plus cytosine (GC) content of L. plantarum ranges from 35.60% to 47.90%, with genome sizes from 2.54 Mb to 5.76 Mb.
Although L. plantarum was not identified as a discrete microbial species until the early twentieth century, the fermented foods and beverages in which it naturally predominates have been central to food preservation traditions across many cultures for centuries.
Mediterranean and European traditions: Traditional fermented foods are a rich reservoir of live and active microbes; they are considered the main source of lactic acid bacteria in nature. Beyond their nutritional properties, fermented foods are garnering attention for the microbes they carry. These microbes are able to synthesise compounds during fermentation with high health-modulating potential, such as organic acids, short-chain fatty acids, vitamins, and peptides. Table olives, sauerkraut, and traditional cheeses produced throughout the Mediterranean and Central European regions have served as the primary dietary vehicles of L. plantarum-mediated lactic acid fermentation. The pickling and souring of vegetables was practised not only for palatability but explicitly for preservation — a function now understood to depend largely on the acidic and antimicrobial metabolites that L. plantarum produces.
East Asian traditions: The majority of Lpb. plantarum strains studied in modern clinical research were isolated from ethnic traditional fermented foods, such as kimchi, Taiwan mustard greens, Mongolian sour milk, and dadih (an Indonesian traditional, spontaneously fermented buffalo milk), confirming the fundamental role of fermented foods in health promotion. Korean kimchi, a lacto-fermented vegetable preparation with documented history spanning at least several centuries, represents one of the richest natural sources of L. plantarum. Strains isolated from Korean traditional fermented foods include not only kimchi but also vegetable ferments, fermented soybean paste, soy sauce, fast-fermented soybean paste, and salted seafoods.
South American traditions: L. plantarum is closely associated with chicha, a traditional maize-based fermented beverage whose production in the indigenous populations of northwestern Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru dates to pre-Hispanic times; it has been mainly consumed during religious and agricultural festivities as well as family and social events.
Southeast Asian and South Asian traditions: L. plantarum is one of the most studied species extensively used in the food industry and has a long history in food fermentation forming an emerging field for the design of added-value foods. In South Asia and Southeast Asia, it is a predominant organism in fermented legume pastes, fermented rice preparations, and traditional dairy products consumed daily for digestive health and as food preservation measures.
For decades, lactic acid bacteria have been extensively used in food fermentation due to their non-harmful nature. It is important to note that the historical use was consistently bound to the consumption of whole fermented foods rather than the administration of isolated organisms — the concept of consuming L. plantarum as a concentrated dietary supplement emerged only in the modern era of probiotic research.
The main function of L. plantarum, as a lactic acid bacterium, is the fermentative conversion of sugars present in raw materials into lactic acid. The organism produces both isomers of lactic acid (D and L). Lactic acid production is central to the acidification of fermented substrates and to the organism's antimicrobial effect.
Many strains produce bacteriocins, particularly plantaricins, exhibiting broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi, and certain viruses, as well as exopolysaccharides (EPS) that promote adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells, support biofilm formation, and modulate host immune responses.
L. plantarum LL441 produces a lantibiotic bacteriocin known as plantaricin C, a pore-forming antimicrobial peptide containing modified amino acids that inhibits cell wall synthesis by forming a complex with the peptidoglycan precursor lipid II. Genomic analysis of certain strains reveals gene clusters for the biosynthesis of terpene and exopolysaccharides, as well as gene clusters homologous to multiple bacteriocins, such as plantaricins A, EF, and JK.
Lactic acid bacteria produce a variety of compounds with antimicrobial activity, including acids, hydrogen peroxide, and bacteriocins. The antimicrobial activity of bacteriocins provides a competitive advantage for the producer strain, creating a selective microenvironment.
Strains of L. plantarum have been widely used in food processing and preservation, and the capability of producing exopolysaccharides contributes significantly to improvements in food quality and function. During the last decade, rapid development and accumulation of data in this research field have been observed, and the availability of complete genome sequences from many L. plantarum strains has provided a strong basis for analysis of the molecular and functional properties of these EPSs.
In addition to bacteriocins and exopolysaccharides, L. plantarum is known to secrete an array of bioactive compounds including short-chain fatty acids and antioxidant molecules, which contribute to pathogen inhibition and modulation of the host immune system.
L. plantarum strains have been characterised for enzyme systems — including α-amylase, esterase, lipase, α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, enolase, phosphoketolase, and lactate dehydrogenase — as well as bioactive compounds such as bacteriocins, dipeptides, and other preservative compounds.
Certain strains of L. plantarum express bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity, an enzyme that deconjugates primary bile salts in the gut. All tested strains in one genomic evaluation showed high antioxidant capacity, BSH activity, and antibacterial activity, which may be common characteristics of L. plantarum. BSH activity is considered a mechanistic basis for the cholesterol-modulating effects attributed to this species (see Section 6.4).
Among the olive phenolic acids studied, some hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic, m-coumaric, o-coumaric, p-coumaric, ferulic, and sinapic acids) as well as some hydroxybenzoic acids (gallic and protocatechuic acids) are metabolised by L. plantarum. The decarboxylase and reductase enzymes responsible for these biochemical reactions have been identified, recombinantly produced, and biochemically characterised. Oleuropein, the main secoiridoid glucoside present in olives, is hydrolysed by L. plantarum by the sequential action of unidentified enzymes, giving elenoic acid and hydroxytyrosol as end-products.
Evidence indicates that the consumption of probiotic bacteria contributes to intestinal function by maintaining paracellular permeability, enhancing the physical mucous layer, stimulating the immune system, and modulating resident microbiota composition and activity. L. plantarum strains have been shown to strengthen tight junction (TJ) proteins in the intestinal epithelium, reduce paracellular permeability, and protect against epithelial damage caused by enteropathogens.
Some studies have shown that L. plantarum strains exert immune regulatory functions by competing with pathogenic bacteria for limiting trophins, inhibiting the growth of pathogenic bacteria, regulating intestinal microecology, and forming a biological barrier.
The impact of oral consumption of L. plantarum on host immunity is strain-dependent and involves responses against bacterial cell components. Some strains may enhance specific responses against pathogens by enhancing antigen presentation.
At the cellular level, in vitro studies have described specific immunomodulatory mechanisms. The strain L. plantarum Lp62 inhibited IL-8 production by Salmonella Typhi-stimulated intestinal epithelial (HT-29) cells and prevented pathogen adhesion. The probiotic strain was able to modulate TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-17 secretion by J774 macrophages, and J774 activation was reduced by co-incubation with Lp62. PBMC culture showed significantly higher levels of CD4+CD25+ T lymphocytes following treatment with Lp62, and probiotics also induced increased IL-10 secretion by mononuclear cells.
L. plantarum is a versatile lactic acid bacteria species that can be isolated from different fermented foods and the human gastrointestinal tract. Through competitive exclusion of pathogens, niche colonisation, and the production of inhibitory metabolites, L. plantarum influences the composition and diversity of the surrounding microbial community. Administration of L. plantarum CCFM8610 has been shown in a clinical trial to recover gut microbiota diversity, decrease the relative abundance of the bloating-related genus Methanobrevibacter, and increase the relative abundance of butyric acid-producing genera including Anaerostipes, Anaerotruncus, Bifidobacterium, Butyricimonas, and Odoribacter.
Recent research has highlighted the gut-brain axis as a critical modulator of mental health. Mechanistic evidence suggests that psychobiotics may influence neuroactive metabolites, short-chain fatty acids, γ-aminobutyric acid, serotonin, and anti-inflammatory pathways, thereby modulating cognitive and emotional processes.
The expression of BSH by certain L. plantarum strains leads to the deconjugation of bile salts, producing free bile acids. Free bile acids are less efficiently reabsorbed from the intestinal lumen than conjugated bile acids; as a consequence, greater quantities are excreted in the stool and must be replaced from hepatic cholesterol pools, which can reduce circulating cholesterol concentrations. This mechanism has been proposed as a partial explanation for the lipid-modulating effects observed in clinical studies, though the full mechanism in humans remains incompletely characterised.
The most extensively studied application of L. plantarum as a dietary supplement is in irritable bowel syndrome, particularly the strain L. plantarum 299v (DSM 9843).
A systematic review and meta-analysis (published 2025–2026) identified 2,643 records and included 32 articles evaluating 10 probiotic strains; it demonstrated the efficacy of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299v (DSM 9843) among the strains improving key IBS symptoms.
In a systematic review published in Gastroenterology, when the five RCTs that used Lactobacillus plantarum 299V were considered in the analysis (containing 453 subjects), the relative risk of symptoms persisting was lower with active therapy (RR 0.73; 95% CI, 0.59–0.92), although heterogeneity persisted (I² = 59%; P = 0.04). Certainty in the evidence was rated as low.
This systematic review identified 82 eligible trials containing 10,332 patients; only 24 RCTs were at low risk of bias across all domains. For global symptoms, there was moderate certainty in the evidence for a benefit of Escherichia strains, and low certainty for both Lactobacillus strains broadly and for Lactobacillus plantarum 299V specifically.
A pilot randomised controlled trial specifically examined the strain CCFM8610: the study was a 12-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot clinical trial in which seventy-five patients were randomly assigned to receive placebo, oligosaccharides, or L. plantarum CCFM8610 at 1 × 1010 CFU per day. The oral administration of CCFM8610 significantly decreased the IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS) and IBS Quality of Life (IBS-QOL) scores, reduced IBS-D symptom severity, recovered gut microbiota diversity, decreased the relative abundance of Methanobrevibacter, and increased the relative abundance of butyric acid-producing genera.
A multi-centre dose-ranging RCT studied strain Lpla33 (DSM34428): L. plantarum Lpla33 was well tolerated and significantly improved global IBS symptom scores compared to placebo, both at an absolute level and in the number of clinically relevant responders; a dose-ranging effect was also observed in global IBS symptom scores, abdominal pain severity, quality of life, and normalisation of diarrhoeal stool type.
Evidence strength assessment: The totality of evidence for L. plantarum 299v in IBS is supported by multiple RCTs, and a meta-analysis demonstrates statistically significant reduction in global IBS symptoms. However, the certainty of evidence is currently rated as low by the highest-quality systematic reviews, primarily because of heterogeneity between studies and concerns about trial quality. Benefits appear most consistent for abdominal pain and bowel movement irregularity. Effects are strain-specific and cannot be generalised across all L. plantarum strains.
A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the regulatory effects of L. plantarum on immunity during clinical trials. The analysis was conducted across Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed, and ultimately six references and 18 randomised controlled trials were included.
The mean differences observed at 95% confidence interval included: IL-4, −0.48 pg/mL (−0.79 to −0.17; p < 0.05); IL-10, 9.88 pg/mL (6.52 to 13.2; p < 0.05); TNF-α, −2.34 pg/mL (−3.5 to −1.19; p < 0.05).
In a randomised placebo-controlled crossover trial: healthy human subjects were given L. plantarum supplementation (strain TIFN101, CIP104448, or WCFS1) or placebo for 7 days. Full sequencing of the strains revealed possible gene clusters that might be responsible for differential biological effects on host immunity. The impact of oral consumption of L. plantarum on host immunity was found to be strain-dependent; some strains may enhance specific responses against pathogens by enhancing antigen presentation and leukocyte maintenance in mucosa.
Evidence strength assessment: Clinical evidence supports immunomodulatory effects of L. plantarum in human subjects, with measurable impacts on pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. However, effects are highly strain-dependent, and most trials are short-term and small in scale. Generalisations to all strains are not warranted.
Supplementation of Lactobacillus plantarum P-8 for 12 weeks alleviated stress and anxiety in adults; participants received daily oral supplementation of L. plantarum P-8 or a placebo for 12 weeks.
In the double-blind, placebo-controlled trial by Lew et al. (2019) examining L. plantarum P8: the 12-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 103 stressed adults. The probiotic group showed significantly reduced scores for stress (p = 0.048) and anxiety (p = 0.031), and total psychological burden compared to placebo, along with reductions in pro-inflammatory cytokines like IFN-γ — suggesting an anti-inflammatory mechanism.
A study using L. plantarum JYLP-326 in test-anxious college students reported improvements in anxiety, depression, and insomnia symptoms. The data indicated a bidirectional communication pathway between gut microbiota and the brain (gut-brain axis) and validated the beneficial psychological effects of probiotics in anxious subjects. Strong correlations between emotional disorders (e.g., anxiety and depression) and gut microbiota dysbiosis have been widely discussed, indicating an intrinsic cross-link between the gut microbiota and brain regions.
A rodent study using L. plantarum CR12 in a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model showed improvements in cognitive and behavioural outcomes, attributed to reshaped microbiome composition and enhanced short-chain fatty acid formation. The conclusion was that L. plantarum CR12 significantly attenuated cognitive and mental deficits, which could be partly explained by the reshaped microbiome and enhanced SCFA formation in the gut; the authors proposed that L. plantarum may be translated into a novel microbiota-targeted approach for managing metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. This evidence is, however, preclinical.
Evidence strength assessment: Preliminary human clinical evidence from individual RCTs suggests that specific L. plantarum strains (notably P-8 and JYLP-326) may reduce subjective stress and anxiety in stressed but otherwise healthy adults. Preclinical evidence is more extensive. The field is emerging; larger RCTs with standardised outcomes are needed before robust clinical conclusions can be drawn. Evidence is insufficient to make claims for clinical anxiety disorders.
Several RCTs have examined the effect of L. plantarum strains on blood lipid profiles.
In a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT by Fuentes et al. (2016): the objective was to assess the effects of a combination of three Lactobacillus plantarum strains on LDL-C and other lipid parameters in hypercholesterolaemic adults. In this trial, 60 patients (mean age 51.8 years, BMI 26.2 kg/m², LDL-C 167.5 mg/dL) not receiving lipid-altering treatment were treated with either an L. plantarum-containing probiotic or placebo as a single capsule daily for 12 weeks. HDL-C was also significantly (p < 0.001) increased in the L. plantarum probiotic group versus placebo (+2.9 vs. +0.4 mg/dL). The conclusion was that the L. plantarum combination reduced LDL-C and improved other lipid parameters, suggesting its potential for hypercholesterolaemia treatment.
In a separate 12-week RCT examining L. plantarum K50 in 81 Korean adults with obesity (BMI 25–30 kg/m²): participants were assigned to a diet including 4 × 109 CFU of L. plantarum K50 or a placebo. After 12 weeks of treatment, body weight, fat mass, and abdominal fat area did not change significantly between groups. However, total cholesterol levels decreased from 209.4 ± 34.4 mg/dL to 203.5 ± 30.9 mg/dL in the LPK group, but increased from 194.7 ± 37.5 mg/dL to 199.9 ± 30.7 mg/dL in the placebo group (P = 0.037). Similarly, triglyceride levels decreased from 135.4 ± 115.8 mg/dL to 114.5 ± 65.9 mg/dL in the L. plantarum K50 group, with a significant difference between groups. A 12-week consumption of LPK reduced total cholesterol and triglyceride levels significantly with favourable alterations in the microbiota, suggesting potential benefits for controlling blood lipid profiles.
The meta-analysis that included cardiovascular outcomes found: cardiovascular benefits included lowered total cholesterol and LDL-C in the L. plantarum intervention group (p < 0.05).
Evidence strength assessment: Multiple RCTs report statistically significant reductions in LDL-C and total cholesterol with specific L. plantarum strains over 12-week periods. The clinical magnitude of these effects is modest; none of the reviewed trials was powered for cardiovascular event outcomes. Effects are strain-specific and results from trials using different strains cannot be freely pooled. Overall evidence is classified as promising but preliminary.
In a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, the combination of Lactobacillus plantarum HEAL9 and Lactobacillus paracasei 8700:2 has previously been shown to reduce the incidence, duration, and severity of common colds in adults; a subsequent study assessed this combination in children attending day care.
A paediatric randomised, double-blind clinical trial examined the use of a formula containing L. plantarum strains for upper respiratory infections (URIs): the trial was conducted in children aged 6 months to 5 years with URI with pharyngitis; participants were allocated to a probiotic formula (strains L. plantarum KABP022, KABP023, and KABP033 and P. acidilactici KABP021) or placebo, twice daily for 15 days.
Clinical administration of Lactobacillus species including L. plantarum L-137 can decrease the total incidence as well as shorten the duration of respiratory tract infections (RTIs); the prospect of Lactobacillus clinical application in reducing the risk of RTIs is promising.
In a broader Cochrane-adjacent review covering probiotics for upper respiratory infections: most of the studies used one or two strains, including Lactobacillus plantarum HEAL9, at doses of 109 or 1011 CFU/day for more than three months.
The beneficial effect of Lactobacillus on the respiratory tract is strain-dependent; the efficacy of Lactobacillus may also be affected by factors such as bacterial dose, timing, and host background.
Evidence strength assessment: Clinical evidence for the strain HEAL9 (in combination with L. paracasei 8700:2) in reduction of common cold incidence and duration in adults is reasonably consistent across several RCTs. Evidence for paediatric applications and for other L. plantarum strains in respiratory outcomes is more limited and preliminary.
As a dietary supplement, L. plantarum is available commercially in the following forms: oral capsules (freeze-dried viable cells), powder sachets or stick-packs for reconstitution, food-format fermented products (yogurts, fermented vegetable preparations), and as an active ingredient in combination multi-strain probiotic formulations.
The following dosages were reported in specific clinical studies cited in this article:
There is no universally standardised dose for L. plantarum dietary supplement use. Dosages employed in clinical research range from approximately 109 to 1010 CFU per day for most gastrointestinal, immune, and metabolic applications, administered over periods ranging from one week to three months or longer. Individual strains differ substantially in their characterised effective doses, and a dose established for one strain does not automatically apply to another.
The species holds considerable economic and biotechnological value, supported by its "Food Grade Status" and Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) designation, which facilitate its inclusion in functional foods and probiotic formulations.
L. plantarum is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS) approach to safety assessment. This approach requires that the identity of the strain be conclusively established and that the strain lacks acquired determinants for resistance to antibiotics of human and veterinary importance.
L. plantarum is widely employed in industrial fermentation and processing of raw foods; it is generally recognised as safe and has received Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS) status from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
The species L. plantarum is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach. This approach requires the identity of the strain to be conclusively established and evidence that the strain does not show acquired resistance to antibiotics of human and veterinary importance. In the view of the FEEDAP Panel, where this has been confirmed, L. plantarum strains are considered safe for target species, consumers, and the environment.
The bacterial species L. plantarum is considered by EFSA suitable for the QPS approach. Where the identity of the strain has been clearly established and it did not show acquired resistance to antibiotics of human and veterinary importance, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the preparation is safe for target species, consumers, and the environment.
Negative results for hemolytic activity across all tested strains in one comprehensive evaluation indicated the safety of the strains for use in food fermentation. Absence of hemolytic activity is a standard safety criterion for probiotic organisms.
Regarding user safety in occupational contexts, the additive should be considered as a skin and respiratory sensitiser. Exposure of users via dermal and respiratory routes is considered a risk. This concern relates specifically to manufacturing and handling of powdered preparations in occupational settings; it is not considered a risk to consumers taking oral supplement products.
In one multi-centre RCT, all adverse events reported in the study were considered mild and resolved without complications. Vital signs including systolic and diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate were within clinically acceptable ranges over the intervention period with no significant differences between groups.
Although there is in general no doubt for the probiotic efficacy, the strain specificity is underlined as well as the importance of having strain-specific evidence for efficacy and safety, generated and confirmed in well-designed randomised clinical trials. This principle applies equally to safety: the safety profile established for one strain of L. plantarum does not automatically extend to other strains of the same species, particularly with respect to the presence of mobile antibiotic resistance elements.
Clinical trial data are available across age ranges including infants, children, adults, and older adults. However, individuals who are severely immunocompromised (e.g., post-chemotherapy, post-transplant, or with advanced HIV/AIDS) may face a different safety profile. The current clinical literature cited herein was conducted predominantly in healthy adults and patients with defined gastrointestinal disorders; generalisations to severely immunosuppressed populations require additional evidence.
Health conditions that Lactobacillus plantarum may help support.
Lactobacillus plantarum 299V has demonstrated beneficial effects in two controlled trials for IBS, including abdominal symptom reduction. Abdominal distension scores improved with L. plantarum-containing probiotics per NIH ODS meta-analysis. It is among the most studied Lactobacillus strains for IBS-related abdominal discomfort.
A 2024 RCT of L. plantarum-fermented soybean supplementation in GERD patients significantly reduced heartburn, regurgitation, and pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-4, IL-6, IL-8 (p<0.05) with improved quality-of-life scores. L. plantarum appears in multi-strain probiotic formulations that showed positive GERD benefits in the 2020 systematic review (79% positive comparisons). It improves gut barrier integrity and reduces GI mucosal inflammation.
Multiple RCTs show oral and topical L. plantarum strains reduce acne lesion count, sebum triglycerides, and improve skin hydration. The CJLP55 strain demonstrated significant improvements over placebo at 12 weeks. Mechanisms involve modulation of skin microbiota and anti-inflammatory activity.
Clinical and experimental data show L. plantarum preserves total antioxidant capacity (TAC) during exercise-induced oxidative stress and upregulates antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase, GSH-Px) in inflamed tissues. Multiple strains demonstrate direct antioxidant properties.
Several RCTs and a meta-analysis support L. plantarum strains reducing anxiety symptoms, including validated questionnaire scores, in stressed populations. Mechanisms involve the gut-brain axis, GABA production, and cortisol modulation.
RCTs demonstrate that specific L. plantarum strains (PL-02, TWK10) improve endurance, muscle mass, explosive strength, and exercise performance. Benefits appear linked to enhanced glycogen storage, reduced muscle damage markers, and increased VO2max.
A subgroup meta-analysis of 7 RCTs focusing on L. plantarum found statistically significant blood pressure reductions in hypertensive participants but not in normotensive individuals. Effects are most pronounced in those with elevated baseline BP.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs found L. plantarum supplementation significantly reduced fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c in people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. Effects on HOMA-IR trended positive but did not always reach statistical significance.
Lactobacillus plantarum has demonstrated inhibitory activity against Candida parapsilosis and C. albicans in vaginal epithelial cell models. It is identified in a 2024 comprehensive review of 25 clinical studies as an evidence-supported strain for VVC management, and in vitro studies confirm its anti-Candida cell-free supernatant activity.
Lactobacillus plantarum HEAL9 was evaluated in a 2021 randomized placebo-controlled trial in children with celiac disease autoimmunity (PMID 34249990). L. plantarum was also included in the VSL#3 blend tested in an adult CeD RCT. Some L. plantarum strains have gluten-degrading protease activity. Celiac.com (2017) reported trial data on L. plantarum HEAL9 for immune support in CeD.
Lactobacillus plantarum in combination with Bifidobacterium longum (NVP-1703, 10^10 CFU/day) was tested in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT in children aged 6–19 with perennial allergic rhinitis. After 4 weeks, TNSS and quality-of-life scores improved significantly versus placebo, accompanied by Th2 cytokine reduction. L. plantarum also appears in systematic reviews linking early-life probiotic use to reduced eczema and wheezing in children.
Lactobacillus plantarum (now Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) is a clinically studied probiotic strain supporting children's immune defenses against respiratory infections. A 2025 double-blind RCT in 120 children with recurrent RTIs found L. plantarum CCFM8661 combined with B. animalis subsp. lactis significantly reduced respiratory infection frequency, duration, and severity including pneumonia and bronchitis.
Multiple RCTs and meta-analyses consistently show L. plantarum strains reduce LDL-C and total cholesterol. A landmark 12-week RCT found 24.4 mg/dL LDL reduction vs. 9.8 mg/dL for placebo in hypercholesterolemic adults.
Clinical and in vitro evidence shows L. plantarum strains suppress systemic inflammatory markers including CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α. An RCT in stable coronary artery disease patients demonstrated measurable suppression of systemic inflammation.
RCTs of specific L. plantarum strains (OLL2712, C29-fermented soybean) show cognitive protection in older adults with declining memory. A systematic review identified L. plantarum as a complementary intervention for neurodegenerative symptomatology.
Lactobacillus plantarum has been studied in RCTs for ulcerative colitis, and is included in multi-strain probiotic formulations with demonstrated benefit in IBD. It improves intestinal barrier function, modulates colonic microbiota, and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines in UC patients.
Lactobacillus plantarum is a probiotic strain demonstrated in preclinical studies to colonize the intestinal tract, improve GI transit rate, and reduce constipation-related indicators. It is among the strains included in multi-strain probiotic RCTs showing significant improvement in constipation symptoms.
Multiple RCTs and a meta-analysis document L. plantarum strains reducing depressive symptoms as measured by validated scales (BDI, DASS). Strain-specific effects are reported for PS128, P8, and JYLP-326.
Lactobacillus plantarum strains (notably IS-10506) have clinical evidence for atopic dermatitis, with studies showing reductions in SCORAD and improvements in immunological markers. It is among the strains identified in systematic reviews as showing meaningful benefit in both children and adults with AD.
Lactobacillus plantarum has been studied for diarrhea in the context of IBS-D and antibiotic-associated diarrhea. It is included in Cochrane reviews of probiotic interventions for diarrhea. RCTs have demonstrated significant reductions in IBS-related bowel disturbances including diarrhea-predominant symptoms.
Lactobacillus plantarum is a component of the VSL#3 multi-strain probiotic formulation evaluated in diverticular disease remission trials, and has been identified as an evidence-supported strain for diverticular disease in the published literature. It is noted for strengthening intestinal epithelial barrier function and modulating gut microbiota relevant to diverticular inflammation.
Lactobacillus plantarum has demonstrated efficacy in atopic dermatitis across multiple RCTs and is one of the three probiotic species most consistently identified with benefit in systematic reviews. It reduces SCORAD index, serum IgE, and Th2 cytokines in AD patients.
Lactobacillus plantarum is a histamine-degrading probiotic strain with documented ability to break down biogenic amines relevant to histamine intolerance and food sensitivity. It has been studied in clinical contexts for gut microbiota modulation in allergic disease. Multiple sources cite it as a preferred strain for individuals with histamine intolerance due to its amine oxidase activity.
Lactobacillus plantarum has demonstrated robust effects on intestinal barrier function in RCTs. A perioperative study showed L. plantarum in combination improved small intestinal mucosal barrier integrity and reduced serum zonulin, and it is a leading strain in gut permeability research directly relevant to food sensitivity mechanisms.
Lactobacillus plantarum (now Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) has been included in multi-strain probiotic combinations shown in clinical trials to improve H. pylori eradication and reduce gastritis-related adverse effects. It contributes to competitive exclusion of H. pylori and modulation of gastric mucosal inflammatory responses.
Lactobacillus plantarum (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) is one of the most versatile and widely studied probiotic species, with demonstrated effects on gut microbiota modulation, gut barrier reinforcement, and IBS symptom improvement in multiple RCTs. Its large genome enables extensive metabolic adaptation to the human gut environment.
Lactobacillus plantarum (now Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) has direct clinical evidence for gut-brain axis effects from an fMRI study showing reduced emotional brain activation after multi-strain probiotic consumption including this strain. It is a GABA producer and has been studied for anxiety reduction and cognitive modulation in both animal and human research.
RCTs show that specific L. plantarum strains (K50, PL-02) reduce total cholesterol, triglycerides, and body fat percentage, and alter gut microbiota composition in overweight individuals. Muscle mass increase from PL-02 indirectly supports weight composition improvements.
Lactobacillus plantarum has demonstrated direct histamine-degrading properties and the ability to stimulate DAO secretion from intestinal epithelial cells. A 2025 PMC study (LP115 strain) showed significant DAO secretion increase and histamine reduction in HT-29 intestinal cell models. Multiple strains of L. plantarum can degrade biogenic amines including histamine.
Lactobacillus plantarum, particularly strain 299v (DSM 9843), has meta-analytic evidence for IBS symptom improvement confirmed in a 2025 strain-specific systematic review of 32 RCTs. A 4-week RCT in 60 IBS patients showed decreased flatulence, pain, and improved bowel habits. It is one of five probiotic strains with confirmed meta-analytic IBS efficacy alongside B. longum 35624 and L. rhamnosus GG.
Preclinical data and some clinical evidence support L. plantarum's role in IBD management through immune modulation, gut microbiota restoration, and mucosal barrier reinforcement. Clinical human evidence remains limited and further RCTs are needed.
Meta-analyses of RCTs show L. plantarum supplementation reduces fasting glucose and HOMA-IR trends in T2DM and prediabetes populations, with significant glucose effects confirmed. Broader meta-analyses confirm probiotic benefits on insulin resistance.
Lactobacillus plantarum MP2026 produces endogenous β-galactosidase and was tested in a randomized placebo-controlled trial (n=44 LI subjects) in combination with Bifidobacterium animalis IM386, showing significant reduction in diarrhea and flatulence versus placebo. It uses lactose as a primary energy source even in the presence of glucose, making it a relevant functional strain for lactose intolerance.
Lactobacillus plantarum is among the most studied probiotic strains for intestinal barrier support. A systematic review and meta-analysis (Iranian Journal of Public Health, 2020) found that probiotic/synbiotic supplementation including L. plantarum reduced serum zonulin as a biomarker of intestinal permeability. L. plantarum has demonstrated ability to reinforce tight junctions and reduce permeability in IBS patients, overweight adults, and other populations across multiple RCTs.
RCTs show that specific L. plantarum strains improve memory function in older adults with declining cognition and in stressed younger adults. A 12-week RCT of OLL2712 in adults over 65 specifically targeted memory via neuroinflammatory modulation.
Multiple human clinical trials and systematic reviews support the use of Lactobacillus plantarum (now reclassified as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) in addressing components of Metabolic Syndrome (MetS), including hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and hypertension. Clinical evidence demonstrates improvements in fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure across several randomized controlled trials. The evidence is promising but remains strain-specific and heterogeneous across studies.
RCTs demonstrate L. plantarum strains (PS128, PL-02, TWK10) reduce exercise-induced muscle damage markers, attenuate muscle strength decline post-exhaustion, and accelerate exercise capacity recovery. Post-half-marathon recovery was specifically studied.
Lactobacillus plantarum has demonstrated inhibition of key periodontal pathogens including Porphyromonas gingivalis in vitro and in clinical studies. A 2024 systematic review found evidence for clinical improvement in periodontal outcomes and caries risk reduction. Heat-killed L. plantarum L-137 has also been shown in clinical findings to inhibit periodontal pocket deepening.
Multiple RCTs demonstrate that L. plantarum strains TWK10 and PL-02 improve time-to-exhaustion, VO2max, and intermittent recovery test performance in both recreational and older adults. Glycogen optimization and microbiota-energy axis are key mechanisms.
Lactobacillus (Lactiplantibacillus) plantarum is specifically cited in a 2025 PMC systematic review (PMC12566607) as one of three probiotic species with clinical trial evidence for alleviating long-term COVID symptoms. It reinforces the intestinal epithelial barrier, competes directly with viral receptors, and modulates immune responses relevant to post-viral recovery.
Lactobacillus plantarum has demonstrated efficacy in SIBO-associated symptom reduction. Studies show L. plantarum 299v improved IBS symptoms linked to SIBO, and one study found L. plantarum outperformed antibiotics for functional abdominal bloating. The 2017 meta-analysis confirmed its role in small-intestinal decontamination and symptom improvement.
Multiple RCTs document that oral L. plantarum HY7714 and topical L. plantarum LB244R reduce wrinkle depth, improve skin hydration, gloss, and elasticity in middle-aged adults. Both oral and topical routes have clinical trial evidence.
Clinical RCTs show L. plantarum strains (oral HY7714, topical LB244R) significantly improve skin elasticity and support collagen integrity by reducing collagen-degrading enzyme activity. Collagen type I expression is upregulated in preclinical models.
An RCT demonstrated that L. plantarum 299v significantly reduced salivary cortisol in students under examination stress compared to placebo. Additional RCTs with P8 and JYLP-326 strains confirm stress reduction via gut-brain axis modulation.
Multiple RCTs and meta-analyses document significant triglyceride reductions with L. plantarum supplementation. A proprietary three-strain combination showed reductions of 29.1 vs. 4.1 mg/dL compared to placebo in hypercholesterolemic adults.
Lactobacillus plantarum is a constituent of vaginal Döderlein flora and has been studied for urinary flora support via inhibition of uropathogen adhesion. In vitro studies confirm it inhibits E. coli adhesion to vaginal and urinary epithelial cells through competition and displacement. A pilot study in children with recurrent UTIs using oral L. plantarum PM1 showed reduced UTI frequency. L. plantarum PXN47 demonstrated antibacterial activity against E. coli and induced mucin production in urinary epithelial cells.
Lactobacillus plantarum strains (57B, MG989, PBS067, LP01) have clinical evidence for vaginal flora restoration and BV treatment, including a vaginal tablet formulation (LF15+LP01) that restored acidic vaginal pH and reduced Nugent scores. L. plantarum enhances vaginal epithelial barrier integrity and modulates immune responses via anti-inflammatory cytokines. It is among the six most efficacious probiotic species across BV trials per systematic review.
Body systems that Lactobacillus plantarum may help support.
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