Screening and identification of neuroprotective compounds produced by Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU 101

Ischaemia/reperfusion injury plays important roles in the morbidity and mortality associated with ischaemic strokes. We investigated the neuroprotective effects of ethanol extract fractions isolated form Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU 101 (NTU 101) fermentation products, against oxygen-glucose deprivation and reperfusion (OGD/R) in vitro. Pre-treatment with 1000 µg/mL water or ethanol extracts reversed OGD/R-induced cell death by 17% and 42%, respectively, while post-treatment with these extracts reversed OGD/R-induced cell death by 3% and 27%, respectively. A major neuroprotective compound extracted from NTU 101 fermentation products, glyceryl 1,3-dipalmitate (GD), was characterised using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. Pre-treatment with GD modulated the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, nuclear factor-kappa B, and Bcl-2-associated X, compared with OGD/R group. Our findings indicate the potential of the therapeutic application of GD in the prevention and treatment of cerebral ischaemic and neurodegenerative diseases.