# Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NCDO 2118

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/lactococcus-lactis-subsp-lactis-ncdo-2118
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-04-02
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Fermented/Probiotic
**Also Known As:** L. lactis subsp. lactis NCDO 2118, Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118, NCDO 2118 strain, L. lactis NCDO 2118, Plant-derived Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118, GABA-producing Lactococcus NCDO 2118

## Overview

Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NCDO 2118 is a [probiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) bacterial strain that produces gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and modulates intestinal immune responses. Its primary mechanisms involve GABA_B receptor activation to reduce gut hypersensitivity and suppression of pro-[inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) IL-8 secretion in intestinal epithelial cells.

## Health Benefits

• Reduces intestinal inflammation by decreasing IL-8 secretion by 45% and increasing [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) cytokines IL-10 and IL-6 (preliminary evidence from mouse studies)
• Alleviates stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity through GABA production and GABA_B receptor activation (preliminary evidence from rat studies)
• Supports regulatory T-cell function by boosting CD4+ Tregs with LAP-TGF-β in lymph nodes and spleen (preliminary evidence from mouse studies)
• Improves colitis symptoms including clinical scores, colon length, and histological damage in recurrent colitis models (preliminary evidence from mouse studies)
• Demonstrates antimicrobial activity against parasites like Trypanosoma cruzi with [immunomodulatory](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) effects (preliminary in vitro evidence)

## Mechanism of Action

Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 synthesizes GABA, which binds to GABA_B receptors on enteric neurons and intestinal cells to dampen visceral pain signaling triggered by stress. Simultaneously, the strain downregulates NF-κB-driven IL-8 secretion in intestinal epithelial cells while upregulating the [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) cytokines IL-10 and IL-6, shifting the mucosal immune environment toward tolerance. These dual actions—GABAergic modulation of the enteric nervous system and cytokine rebalancing—underlie its proposed effects on both pain sensitivity and inflammatory bowel conditions.

## Clinical Summary

Current evidence for Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 is limited to preclinical mouse studies, with no published human clinical trials as of early 2025. In murine models of intestinal inflammation, the strain reduced IL-8 secretion by approximately 45% in intestinal epithelial cell assays and elevated [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) IL-10 and IL-6 levels. Separate rodent studies using stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity models demonstrated meaningful reductions in pain response, attributed to GABA production and GABA_B receptor activation. Extrapolating these findings to humans requires significant caution, and controlled clinical trials are needed to establish efficacy, effective dosing, and safety in human populations.

## Nutritional Profile

Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NCDO 2118 is a gram-positive lactic acid bacterium with nutritional contributions primarily as a functional/probiotic ingredient rather than a macronutrient source. Key documented bioactive compounds and nutritional characteristics include: (1) GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid): actively produced by this strain via glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity, with production levels varying by fermentation conditions but estimated in the range of 0.1–5 mmol/L in fermented media; (2) Lactic acid: primary metabolic end-product from homofermentative [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management) of lactose and glucose, contributing to pH reduction and food preservation; (3) Cell wall components: peptidoglycans, lipoteichoic acids, and surface-layer proteins that interact with host immune receptors (TLRs, NOD receptors), constituting approximately 20–30% of dry cell weight; (4) Exopolysaccharides (EPS): strain-dependent production, which modulate gut immune responses and contribute to [prebiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health)-like effects; (5) Proteins/enzymes: proteolytic enzymes including cell-envelope proteinases that hydrolyze casein into bioactive peptides during dairy fermentation; estimated protein content of bacterial biomass ~50–60% of dry weight; (6) B vitamins: like other lactococci, capable of contributing trace amounts of riboflavin (B2) and folate (B9) during fermentation, though NCDO 2118-specific quantification is not well-documented in published literature; (7) TGF-β-inducing surface factors: surface proteins associated with LAP-TGF-β expression on CD4+ Tregs, structurally uncharacterized but immunologically active; (8) No significant dietary fiber, fat, or mineral content is contributed directly by the bacterial cells at typical probiotic doses (10^8–10^10 CFU). Bioavailability note: GABA produced in situ in the gut or delivered via fermented food matrix shows limited systemic absorption but significant local enteric nervous system activity; immune-modulatory compounds act primarily through mucosal contact rather than systemic absorption.

## Dosage & Preparation

Animal studies used oral administration of live L. lactis NCDO 2118 at approximately 10^9 CFU/day (1 mL/rat for 10 days with 0.2% glutamate for antinociceptive effects, or 4 days in mice during colitis remission). No human dosage data available. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis NCDO 2118 belongs to a species with a long history of safe use in food fermentation, and it holds Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status considerations for related lactococcal strains. However, no formal human safety studies specific to NCDO 2118 have been published, making it difficult to define a confirmed adverse-effect profile. Individuals who are immunocompromised, have short bowel syndrome, or have prosthetic heart valves should exercise caution with any live bacterial supplement and consult a physician before use. No specific drug interactions have been documented for this strain, though concurrent use with antibiotics may reduce its viability, and safety during pregnancy or lactation has not been established.

## Scientific Research

No human clinical trials have been conducted on L. lactis NCDO 2118. Available evidence is limited to preclinical animal studies including a DSS-induced colitis mouse model (PMID: 25110521) showing [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) effects and a rat visceral hypersensitivity model (PMID: 35727704) demonstrating antinociceptive effects via GABA production.

## Historical & Cultural Context

No evidence of traditional use exists for L. lactis NCDO 2118 in historical medicine systems. It is a modern cultured bacterium identified specifically for contemporary [probiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health) research rather than ethnomedicinal applications.

## Synergistic Combinations

Glutamate, GABA, Other Lactococcus strains, [Prebiotic](/ingredients/condition/gut-health)s, [Anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) probiotics

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How does Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 reduce gut inflammation?

The strain reduces gut inflammation primarily by suppressing IL-8 secretion—a key chemokine that recruits pro-inflammatory neutrophils—by approximately 45% in intestinal epithelial cells. It simultaneously increases IL-10 and IL-6, cytokines associated with immune regulation and mucosal tolerance, helping shift the intestinal environment away from a pro-inflammatory state. These effects have been observed in mouse studies and have not yet been confirmed in human trials.

### Does Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 produce GABA?

Yes, Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 is a documented GABA-producing strain, synthesizing gamma-aminobutyric acid through glutamate decarboxylase activity. This bacterially produced GABA is thought to act on GABA_B receptors within the enteric nervous system, reducing pain signal transmission in the gut. This mechanism is the proposed basis for its ability to alleviate stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity in preclinical models.

### Is there human clinical trial evidence for Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118?

As of early 2025, there are no published human clinical trials specifically investigating Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118. All available evidence comes from in vitro cell studies and in vivo mouse models examining intestinal inflammation and visceral pain. Consumers and clinicians should treat any health claims as preliminary until well-designed randomized controlled trials in humans are completed.

### What conditions might Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 help with?

Based on preclinical research, this strain shows potential for conditions involving intestinal inflammation—such as inflammatory bowel disease—and stress-related gut disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with visceral hypersensitivity. Its GABA-producing capacity suggests additional relevance for gut-brain axis modulation, where stress exacerbates digestive pain. However, these applications remain speculative without supporting human trial data.

### Is Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 safe to take as a supplement?

Lactococcus lactis species are broadly considered safe based on centuries of food use in dairy fermentation, but no dedicated human safety studies exist for the NCDO 2118 strain specifically. Healthy adults are unlikely to face significant risks, but immunocompromised individuals, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those with compromised gut barriers should consult a healthcare provider before use. Antibiotic co-administration may also neutralize the live bacteria, reducing any potential benefit.

### Who benefits most from Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 supplementation?

Individuals with stress-related digestive symptoms, irritable bowel syndrome, or inflammatory gut conditions may benefit most from this strain, as research indicates it targets both inflammation and stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity. People experiencing mood-related concerns linked to gut dysbiosis may also find this strain relevant, given its GABA-producing capability and potential neuroimmune effects. Those with compromised regulatory T-cell function or chronic low-grade intestinal inflammation represent additional candidate populations, though personalized medical guidance is recommended.

### How does Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 compare to other probiotic strains for inflammation?

Unlike general-purpose Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium strains, NCDO 2118 is specifically documented to reduce IL-8 secretion by 45% while simultaneously raising anti-inflammatory IL-10 and IL-6 in preliminary models. This dual cytokine modulation distinguishes it from strains that primarily increase IL-10 alone or lack targeted anti-inflammatory mechanisms. Most clinical-grade Lactococcus lactis strains lack this particular immunological profile, making NCDO 2118 relatively specialized for inflammatory bowel support.

### What research gaps exist for Lactococcus lactis NCDO 2118 in humans?

Current evidence for NCDO 2118 is primarily derived from mouse and rat models; large-scale randomized controlled trials in humans are limited or absent, making it difficult to confirm efficacy in clinical populations. The dose-response relationship, optimal treatment duration, and long-term safety profile in diverse human populations remain largely uncharacterized. Human studies specifically investigating its GABA production, Treg enhancement, and cytokine modulation are needed before strong clinical recommendations can be made.

---

*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
*License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — Attribution required. Commercial use: admin@hermeticasuperfoods.com*