Evaluation of the Therapeutic Impact of Probiotic-Enriched Orange and Pomegranate Juices on Some Health Parameters in Diarrhea-Induced Laboratory Rats

Abstract

This research endeavor was undertaken to craft a functional beverage by blending orange and pomegranate juices, enriched with the inclusion of therapeutic probiotic strains, specifically Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus rhamanous. A comprehensive assessment was conducted to investigate the physicochemical, microbial, and sensory characteristics of the resulting beverage. Furthermore, we explored the potential health benefits of this fortified beverage within a rat model afflicted with E. coli infection, focusing on its influence on blood parameters and lipid profiles in male rats. The research findings revealed the presence of four distinct bacterial strains, namely Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and Enterococcus gallinarum, in natural juices obtained from local markets in Tikrit. Regarding the physicochemical properties and bacterial counts in the manufactured juices, the results indicated a decline in pH levels and total sugar content over time, coupled with an increase in total acidity during refrigerated storage of functional juices. Additionally, the enumeration and viability of fortifying bacteria surpassed the prescribed probiotic threshold in the tested juice varieties. Sensory evaluation outcomes demonstrated the overall acceptability of the manufactured juices. The research findings demonstrated that E. coli-induced diarrhea led to a significant elevation (P<0.05) in key blood parameters, including white blood cell and platelet counts (12.63 and 747 mm^3/liter), along with a notable reduction in red blood cell counts and hemoglobin concentration (6.0 and 13.1 mm^3/liter, respectively). However, oral administration of functional juices resulted in a decrease in white blood cell and platelet counts and an increase in red blood cell counts and hemoglobin concentration across all measured parameters. Regarding lipid profiles, the diarrheal group exhibited elevated levels of detrimental lipid markers, including cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipids (73.59, 71.61, and 14.8, respectively), accompanied by reduced high-density lipoproteins concentration (31.5). Conversely, treatment with oral doses of functional juices led to a reduction in these adverse lipid indicators for all treatment groups.