Weissella: A multifaceted genus making the way for next-gen biotherapeutics?

The quest for the next-generation probiotics has highlighted non-conventional lactic acid bacteria in recent decades, and among these, Weissella has been a genus exhibiting multifaceted health-benefiting characteristics. Weissella spp., such as Weissella cibaria, Weissella confusa, and Weissella koreensis, are traditionally found in fermented foods and other ecological niches, having encouraging probiotic properties such as robust survivability under gastrointestinal conditions and capability to modulate host health. This review focuses on various health-beneficial properties of Weissella strains, including their antimicrobial activities, chiefly through the production of organic acids, hydrogen peroxide, and bacteriocins, such as weissellicin, which suppress growth of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. Several studies have reported the anticancer properties of Weissella, where certain strains are known to induce apoptosis among cancer cell lines and exhibit anti-proliferative properties. Further, Weissella spp. secrete antioxidant compounds that can scavenge free radicals and inhibit oxidative stress, a crucial causal factor in chronic conditions. Weissella also exhibits hypocholesterolemic activity through the assimilation of cholesterol, resulting in the reduction of serum cholesterol, thus showing its application in cardiovascular health management as well. Looking forward, the development of Weissella-based biotherapeutic formulations offer exciting opportunities in preventive and therapeutic strategies for managing infections, metabolic disorders, inflammation, and cancer. Despite these promising attributes of Weissella genus, there are some safety concerns related to certain strains, which need to be carefully assessed before clinical usage. Furthermore, in vivo and clinical studies are warranted in future to elucidate the underlying mechanisms for establishing complete regulatory approval.