This study looked at how this specific probiotic strain, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Probio87 might help healthy women feel better both mentally and physically by working through the connection between the gut, the immune system, and the brain. 

Researchers examined the impact of Probio87, taken orally once a day for 12 weeks, compared with a placebo, in generally healthy women.

Neither the women nor the researchers knew who was taking which until the end of the study. 

They then compared how the women felt and what was happening in their blood, especially in genes related to immunity and brain health.

Excerpt From “Beneficial Microbes (2025) DOI:10.1163/18762891-bja00061”

Research Overview

This study was a parallel, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 112 women. 

Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a probiotic (n = 58, mean age 38.38 ± 0.85 years) or a placebo (n = 54, mean age 38.91 ± 0.98 years) for a duration of 12 weeks.

The researchers evaluated immunity and mental well-being using both self-report questionnaires and blood-based gene expression analyses. 

Among the 112 women initially enrolled, 4 were lost to follow-up during the intervention and did not provide samples. Consequently, 108 women completed the full study, including all blood draws and all assessments with the Women’s Health Questionnaire (WHQ) over the 12-week supplementation period.

This study included generally healthy women aged 18 to 80 who were free from urogenital infections, had a Nugent score below 7.0, and were willing to participate for the full duration of the experiment.

• The Nugent scoring system is a standardized test that examines a vaginal swab under a microscope to assess the balance of protective bacteria (like Lactobacillus) and other bacteria.
• Scores range from 0 to 10: 0–3 indicates normal vaginal flora, 4–6 indicates intermediate flora, and 7 or higher confirms Bacterial Vaginosis (BV).
• A Nugent score below 7.0 means the subject does not meet the laboratory criteria for BV.
• Women were excluded if they were pregnant; had used vaginal suppositories, estrogen products (creams, rings, tablets), moisturizers, lubricants, homeopathic preparations, or spermicides within four weeks; were taking oral medication or receiving vaginal therapy (e.g., hormones, estrogen) for vaginal conditions within four weeks; had been on long-term medication (over six months) for any illness; or had undergone pelvic or gynecologic surgery within six months before the study.

You may be wondering why this research focuses specifically on women.

Immunity and mental well-being are especially meaningful areas of women’s health, shaped by a unique interplay of physiological, hormonal, and socio-environmental influences. 

These factors come together in ways that significantly affect women’s overall health outcomes, making careful, focused attention both necessary and worthwhile.

Women face a higher risk of immune-related diseases than men. 

Autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis occur more frequently in women, with a notably greater prevalence in the female population. 

This vulnerability is not random; it reflects a complex biological reality that deserves thoughtful investigation rather than being overlooked or generalized.

Part of this increased susceptibility is linked to the effects of sex hormones on immune function. Oestrogens, for example, can enhance immune responses, which helps explain why autoimmune diseases are more common in women.

At the same time, hormonal fluctuations across the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause can alter immune activity, increasing vulnerability to infections and exacerbating existing autoimmune conditions. 

Chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation, influenced by hormonal shifts and genetic factors, further contribute to the higher rates of inflammatory diseases seen in women. 

Taken together, these patterns highlight the importance of targeted immune support and management strategies that are truly responsive to women’s specific health needs.

Women also experience higher rates of mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety, shaped by both biological and psychosocial influences. 

Hormonal changes associated with menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause can affect mood regulation and contribute to the onset or worsening of mental health conditions. 

Alongside these biological factors, many women are more frequently exposed to stressors related to caregiving responsibilities, societal expectations, and gender-based discrimination. 

These pressures can intensify mental health challenges, particularly when layered onto hormonal fluctuations, helping explain the elevated prevalence of mood disorders in women.

The connection between mental health and chronic physical conditions adds further complexity. 

Disorders such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, which disproportionately affect women, often coexist with mental health concerns. 

This overlap can make managing overall health more difficult, but it also clearly points to the value of an integrated approach—one that acknowledges and addresses both physical and psychological well-being in women in a cohesive, compassionate, and evidence-informed way.

Results

Table 3. Differences between the groups were identified using responses from the Women’s Health Questionnaire:

Source: “Beneficial Microbes (2025) DOI:10.1163/18762891-bja00061”

1. The depressed mood domain

Participants who received the probiotic showed improvement after 6 weeks on item 8 (“I feel life is not worth living”) compared with the placebo group (P = 0.047). 

A slight placebo effect was seen on item 3 (“I feel miserable and sad”) within the first 6 weeks (P = 0.064), but this was not maintained until the end of the study. 

In the probiotic group, a marginal improvement was also observed for item 10 (“I have a good appetite”) after 6 weeks (P = 0.071), which became statistically significant by the end of the study (P = 0.012).

2. The somatic symptoms domain

The probiotic group showed a marginal improvement after 6 weeks on item 14 (“I have headaches”) compared with placebo (P = 0.072). 

A placebo effect was observed within the first 6 weeks for item 23 (“I feel sick or nauseous,” P = 0.044) and item 35 (“I have to urinate more often than usual,” P = 0.048), but these effects were not sustained. 

From week 6 to the end of the study, the probiotic group instead showed significant improvement on item 23 compared with placebo (P = 0.018).

3. The anxiety or fears domain

The probiotic group showed marginal improvement after 12 weeks on item 2 (“I get very frightened or panicked for no reason,” P = 0.066) and item 9 (“I feel tense or ‘wound up’,” P = 0.055) compared with placebo. 

A placebo effect on item 9 was seen in the first 6 weeks (P = 0.031), but this did not persist for the full study duration. 

Table 3. (Continued):

Source: “Beneficial Microbes (2025) DOI:10.1163/18762891-bja00061”

4. The sexual behavior domain

The probiotic group showed marginal improvement after 6 weeks on item 34 (“As a result of vaginal dryness sexual intercourse has become uncomfortable,” P = 0.073) compared with placebo. 

5. The sleep problems domain 

The probiotic led to improvement after 6 weeks on item 11 (“I am restless and can’t keep still”) compared with placebo (P = 0.009).

6. The menstrual symptoms domain

The probiotic group showed marginal improvement after 6 weeks on item 17 (“My breasts feel tender or uncomfortable,” P = 0.055) compared with placebo. 

A placebo effect was seen within the first 6 weeks for item 22 (“I have abdominal cramps or discomfort,” P = 0.059) and item 28 (“My stomach feels bloated,” P = 0.068), but this was not maintained. 

From week 6 to the end of the study, the probiotic group instead showed marginal improvement compared with placebo for item 22 (P = 0.073).

What does it mean?

Over the course of the study, the Probio87 group showed greater improvements in overall women’s health than the placebo group, as measured by the Women’s Health Questionnaire (WHQ). 

Benefits were most notable in areas such as depressed mood, somatic (physical) symptoms, anxiety, sexual health, sleep, and menstrual health. 

The probiotic’s effects became more evident after about six weeks, at which point they surpassed the initial placebo-related improvements that tended to fade earlier in the intervention.

Gene expressions-Immunity and Mental Wellbeing

Figure 2. Changes in the expression of several genes were observed in both the probiotic and placebo groups over a 12-week period:

Source: “Beneficial Microbes (2025) DOI:10.1163/18762891-bja00061”

Participants who received the probiotic showed greater increases (upregulation) in genes linked to anti-inflammatory activity (IL-10; P < 0.001) and T-cell function (CD8 P = 0.042, CD44 P < 0.001) compared with those in the placebo group.

The most notable changes were found in genes associated with natural killer (NK) cell pathways. In the probiotic group, these genes showed higher upregulation than in the placebo group, including CD56 (P = 0.027), and marginal effects for CD94 (P = 0.085), Nkp30 (P = 0.081), Nkp46 (P = 0.001), and Nkp44 (P = 0.074).

A similar pattern was seen for genes related to mental wellbeing and physiological regulation, where the probiotic group again showed greater upregulation. This included genes such as BDNF (P < 0.001), TPH-2 (P = 0.001), 5-HT6 (P < 0.001), GAD-2 (P = 0.033), ghrelin (P = 0.004), and leptin (P = 0.003).

In contrast, no significant differences between the probiotic and placebo groups were observed for other genes tested, including TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-4, CD117, FOXP3, CD4, CD27, CXCR5, CD34, CREB, IDO, and TH.

What does it mean?

Robust Immune System Support

Probio87 demonstrated robust support for the immune system by activating genes involved in both defense and inflammation control. 

IL-10

One of the key changes was a strong increase in IL-10, an anti-inflammatory molecule that helps prevent the immune system from overreacting and causing unnecessary damage.

This suggests that the probiotic promotes a calmer, more controlled inflammatory response rather than triggering harmful immune activation. 

CD8 and CD44

Genes such as CD8 and CD44 were upregulated, indicating enhanced activation of T-cells, which are specialized immune cells that identify and eliminate infected or abnormal cells, strengthening the body’s defense against infections. 

• "Upregulation" means the body's cells were triggered to increase the activity or production of specific genes. 
• The "P-values" (e.g., P < 0.001) are statistical proof; any number below 0.05 means the result is highly likely due to the probiotic and not a random fluke.

CD56 and Nkp46

Probio87 boosted the expression of genes associated with natural killer (NK) cells, particularly CD56 and Nkp46. 

• NK cells serve as a rapid-response defense against viruses and abnormal cells, so increasing these markers suggests sharper, more active early immune protection. 

Other NK-related Genes 

CD94 and Nkp44, also showed positive trends, although their changes were not strong enough to be statistically conclusive.

Improved Mental Wellbeing and Brain Chemistry 

Beyond immunity, Probio87 also improved mental wellbeing by acting on the gut-brain axis and increasing the activity of genes involved in mood, stress regulation, and sleep. 

BDNF

One of these genes is BDNF, which supports brain growth, flexibility, and resilience.

Higher BDNF activity is linked to better memory and learning, and reduced levels are often associated with depression, so its upregulation suggests a healthier, more adaptable brain. 

TPH-2 and 5-HT6

Probio87 increased TPH-2 and 5-HT6, genes related to serotonin, a key neurotransmitter that regulates mood, happiness, and sleep. 

• TPH-2 is essential for producing serotonin in the brain, while 5-HT6 helps the brain use serotonin effectively. 

GAD-2

The gene GAD-2, which helps produce GABA—the brain’s main calming neurotransmitter—was also upregulated. 

This supports better anxiety control and a greater sense of relaxation, indicating that the probiotic may help reduce stress and promote emotional balance.

Balanced Appetite and Energy Regulation 

Ghrelin and Leptin

Probio87 appeared to help balance appetite and energy regulation. It influenced hormones such as ghrelin and leptin, which are central to hunger and fullness signaling. 

• Ghrelin typically stimulates appetite, while leptin signals satiety and energy status to the brain. 

Changes in the expression of these hormone-related genes suggest that the probiotic may help stabilize metabolic communication, supporting more regulated eating behavior and energy balance, rather than erratic hunger or poor satiety responses.

What Didn’t Change

TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ

Importantly, some key pro-inflammatory genes—such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ—did not change with Probio87 intake. 

This is a positive finding because these genes are usually associated with inflammation and immune-driven stress in the body. 

If they had been upregulated, it might have suggested that the probiotic was causing harmful or excessive immune activation. 

Their stability shows that the probiotic’s effects were targeted and beneficial, boosting protective and regulatory functions without triggering unwanted systemic inflammation. 

Conclusion

Overall, this study suggests that Probio87 may be a useful intervention for enhancing multiple aspects of women’s health, particularly through mental health support, immune system modulation, and symptom relief. 

Further research is needed to confirm these results and clarify the mechanisms involved.

Author’s Note:

True wellness is so much more than simply being free from illness. It begins within and radiates outward, embracing every part of who we are—body, mind, and spirit. 

It is a gentle, daily practice of learning to love ourselves a little more each day.

Each of us carries a unique path toward inner balance and harmony. There is no single right way—only the way that feels true to you. Have you begun to discover yours?

This is Part 3. In-House Research: Efficacy of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Probio87 on Immunity and Mental Wellbeing in Women of the series “Inside Out: The New Self Love,” an invitation to explore, awaken, and honor the wholeness that has always been within you.

Part 1 | Part 2 |