Probiotic Lacticaseibacillus paracasei E10 Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis by Enhancing the Intestinal Barrier and Modulating Microbiota

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis and impaired intestinal barrier function. Probiotic interventions have shown potential in alleviating intestinal inflammation and restoring microbial balance. This study explores the protective effects of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei (L. paracasei) E10 in mice. L. paracasei E10 demonstrated strong gastrointestinal transit tolerance, high mucosal adhesion, and probiotic properties such as hydrophobicity and aggregation ability (p < 0.05). The oral administration of L. paracasei E10 significantly alleviated colitis symptoms by reducing the disease activity index, preserving colonic architecture, increasing goblet cell density, and upregulating tight junction proteins, thereby enhancing intestinal barrier integrity. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that L. paracasei E10 supplementation enriched microbial diversity, increased the abundance of Muribaculaceae, and modulated the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, contributing to gut homeostasis. These findings indicate that L. paracasei E10 is a potential candidate for IBD management.