Overview of Probiotic Strains of Weizmannia coagulans, Previously Known as Bacillus coagulans, as Food Supplements and Their Use in Human Health

Weizmannia coagulans, previously known as Bacillus coagulans and before that as Lactobacillus sporogenes, is a spore-forming, lactic acid-producing, Gram-positive, bacillus-shaped bacterial species with several known probiotic strains, including GBI-30, 6086 Unique IS-2, MTCC 5856, LBSC (DSM 17654), TBC169, SNZ 1969, BC30, and T11. This review focusses on the health benefit of these strains. A total of 53 clinical trials were found to use various strains of Weizmannia coagulans. However, 19 of these clinical trials did not provide strain information. Clinical evidence has shown that supplementation with strains of Weizmannia coagulans resulted in statistically significant health effects in the probiotic groups compared to the placebo. Several health benefits of the Weizmannia coagulans strains were found including relieving symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhoea, and other gastrointestinal symptoms, function recovery treatment of non-fatty liver disease, after surgery or in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, quality of life and glucose- and lipid-related biomarkers related to overweight or obese participants or diabetic patients, absorption of protein or muscle integrity and improvement of peri- and post-menopausal symptoms. The main mechanism of action is the modulation of the intestinal microbiota and host immunity. However, in terms of several clinical studies involving small patient populations, others did not provide strain information. Larger, well-designed clinical studies are warranted to support the health benefits of Weizmannia coagulans strains.