Cancer Preventive Potential of Kimchi Lactic Acid Bacteria (Weissella cibaria, Lactobacillus plantarum)

Abstract

The number of death due to cancer has been increasing in Korea. Chemotherapy is known to cause side effects because it damagesnot only cancerous cells but healthy cells. Recently, attention has focused on food-derived chemopreventive and anti-tumor agents orformulations with fewer side effects. Kimchi, most popular and widely consumed in Korea, contains high levels of lactic acid bacteriaand has been shown to possess chemopreventive effects. This review focuses on Weissella cibariaand Lactobacillus plantarum, therepresentatives of kimchi lactic acid bacteria, in terms of their abilities to prevent cancer. Further studies are needed to understand themechanisms by which lactic acid bacteria in kimchi prevent carcinogenic processes and improve immune functions.