The use of multi-species probiotic-derived vesicles to encapsulate luteolin for preventing colitis in a mouse model.

Probiotic-derived membrane vesicles (MVs) offer advantages over live probiotics, including lower immunogenicity and enhanced bioavailability of dietary compounds. However, their composition and function depend on culture conditions. In this study, MVs from a single probiotic strain (S-MVs) were compared with those from co-cultured multi-species probiotics (M-MVs). M-MVs showed superior radical scavenging ability due to characteristic antioxidant proteins. Luteolin (Lut), a hydrophobic flavonoid, was loaded into M-MVs to generate Lut-MVs. Compared with Lut or M-MVs alone, Lut-MVs had enhanced water solubility, gastrointestinal stability, and antioxidative capacity. In a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse colitis model, Lut-MVs prevented colitis by alleviating oxidative damage, improving intestinal barrier function, reducing inflammatory responses, and regulating colonic microbial balance. This work provides a method for preparing probiotic-derived vesicles and highlights their potential as carriers for hydrophobic drugs in treating colon diseases.