Composition for preventing, improving or treating benign prostatic hyperplasia comprising lactobacillus johnsonii strain as an active ingredient

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition for the prevention, improvement, or treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia or androgenetic alopecia comprising a Lactobacillus gasseri (KSB233) strain or a Lactobacillus johnsonii (KSB232) strain, wherein, according to one aspect, a Lactobacillus strain or composition may exhibit an effect of preventing, improving, or treating benign prostatic hyperplasia or androgenetic alopecia by lowering the levels of 5α-reductase, DHT, and IL-8.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to Lactobacillus gasseri ( Lactobacillus gasseri KSB233) strain or Lactobacillus johnsonii ( Lactobacillus johnsonii This invention relates to a composition for the prevention, improvement, or treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia or alopecia containing the strain KSB232). Background Technology

[0002] Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as prostate enlargement, occurs at a high rate in middle-aged men over the age of 40 and is characterized by an incidence that increases in proportion to age. The main symptoms include frequent urination, painful urination, and hematuria due to the enlargement of the prostate, and it is known to eventually lead to lower urinary tract symptoms such as high-risk urinary disorders, urinary retention, and urinary tract infections. Therefore, BPH accompanied by lower urinary tract symptoms is a disease closely related to men's quality of life.

[0003] The primary mechanism underlying benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is known to be changes in androgen levels within the body, while other known characteristics include an imbalance between cell proliferation and apoptosis, as well as inflammatory responses. One of the mechanisms proposed as a major cause of BPH is the conversion of testosterone by 5α-reductase into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is involved in the growth of prostate tissue. As men age, male hormone secretion decreases, and to maintain endocrine balance, dihydrotestosterone—which acts as an endogenous ligand with higher biological activity on androgen receptors than testosterone—increases. This change is suggested as a contributing factor to the increased incidence of BPH in men past middle age.

[0004] An increase in dihydrotestosterone is known to be a cause of not only benign prostatic hyperplasia but also androgenic alopecia, the most common type of male pattern baldness. Dihydrotestosterone, converted by 5α-reductase, binds to androgen receptors and is involved in delaying protein synthesis in hair follicle cells, shortening the growth phase of hair follicles, atrophying hair follicles, excessive sebum production, and scalp inflammation. It is also known that when benign prostatic hyperplasia is induced, it leads to prostate overgrowth and inhibits apoptosis.

[0005] The pharmacological treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) primarily involves the prescription of alpha-adrenergic receptor blockers and 5α-reductase inhibitors. Alpha-adrenergic receptor blockers facilitate urination by relaxing the muscles of the bladder neck, but they are known to cause side effects such as orthostatic hypotension, headache, nasal congestion (congestion), fatigue, dizziness, and ejaculatory dysfunction. 5α-reductase inhibitors, such as finasteride and dutasteride, regulate the androgen DHT and are widely used in clinical treatment. While some complementary and alternative therapies have been used for BPH, the range of treatment options is not particularly broad. Additionally, although finasteride is prescribed as a hair loss treatment, various side effects associated with this drug have been reported, including erectile dysfunction, decreased libido, ejaculatory disorders, dizziness, and pulmonary tuberculosis. Despite the high prevalence of BPH, the agents and materials available to treat the disease remain somewhat limited, and controversy regarding their efficacy and side effects persists.

[0006] Against this background, the inventors have completed the present invention by discovering the preventive, improving, or therapeutic effects of a Lactobacillus strain on benign prostatic hyperplasia or androgenetic alopecia. A composition of the present invention comprising a Lactobacillus strain according to one aspect can be utilized as a composition for the prevention, improvement, or treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia or androgenetic alopecia by lowering the levels of 5α-reductase, DHT, and IL-8. The problem to be solved

[0007] One aspect is Lactobacillus gasseri, which has an effect of preventing, improving, or treating benign prostatic hyperplasia or alopecia ( Lactobacillus gasseri KSB233) strain (accession number: KCTC15912BP) and Lactobacillus johnsonii ( Lactobacillus johnsonii It is to provide the KSB232) strain (accession number: KCTC15913BP).

[0008] Another aspect is to provide a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia or alopecia comprising one or more active ingredients selected from the group consisting of strains of the genus Lactobacillus, cultures thereof, lysates, and extracts thereof.

[0009] Another aspect is to provide a method for preventing or treating prostate enlargement or alopecia in an individual, comprising the step of administering the above pharmaceutical composition to the individual.

[0010] Another aspect is to provide a food composition for the prevention or improvement of benign prostatic hyperplasia or alopecia comprising one or more active ingredients selected from the group consisting of strains of the genus Lactobacillus, cultures thereof, crushed products, and extracts thereof. means of solving the problem

[0011] One aspect is Lactobacillus gasseri, which has an effect of preventing, improving, or treating benign prostatic hyperplasia or alopecia ( Lactobacillus gasseri KSB233) strain (accession number: KCTC15912BP) and Lactobacillus johnsonii ( Lactobacillus johnsoniiProvides the strain KSB232 (accession number: KCTC15913BP).

[0012] According to one embodiment, the strains Lactobacillus gasseri KSB233 and Lactobacillus johnsonii KSB232 according to the present invention were deposited under accession numbers KCTC15912BP and KCTC15913BP, respectively.

[0013] The above strain is characterized by having a preventive, improving, or therapeutic effect on benign prostatic hyperplasia or alopecia.

[0014] In this specification, the term "benign prostatic hyperplasia" refers to a disease in which the size of the prostate increases due to genetic factors, family history, aging, hormonal changes, etc., and manifests symptoms such as urinary urgency, nocturia, delayed urination, dysuria, urinary tract infection, frequent urination, residual urine sensation, urinary dysfunction, and hematuria. The main causative mechanism of benign prostatic hyperplasia may be the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by 5α-reductase, and alpha-adrenergic receptor blockade or 5α-reductase inhibition are known treatments.

[0015] In this specification, the term "alopecia" refers to a condition in which hair is absent in areas where hair should normally be present, and generally means the shedding of terminal hair (thick, dark hair) from the scalp; more specifically, it may refer to androgenic alopecia.

[0016] According to one aspect, the Lactobacillus strain of the present invention or a composition containing the same may be characterized by inhibiting the expression of 5α-reductase, dihydrotestosterone, and IL-8, and accordingly may exhibit preventive, improving, or therapeutic effects for benign prostatic hyperplasia or androgenetic alopecia.

[0017] Another aspect provides a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia or alopecia comprising, as an active ingredient, one or more selected from the group consisting of strains of the genus Lactobacillus, cultures thereof, lysates thereof, and extracts thereof. Specifically, the strain may be a live cell or a dead cell, and the term "dead cell" refers to a strain that has been sterilized by heating, pressurization, or drug treatment. The same as described above applies equally to the pharmaceutical composition.

[0018] The above Lactobacillus strain is Lactobacillus gasseri ( Lactobacillus gasseri ), Lactobacillus johnsonii ( Lactobacillus johnsonii ), Lactobacillus paragasseri( Lactobacillus paragasseri ) and Lactobacillus taiwanesis ( Lactobacillus taiwanensis It may be one or more selected from a group consisting of ).

[0019] Specifically, the strain may be a strain having 16S rRNA consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 or 16S rRNA containing a nucleotide sequence having 99% or more of the same nucleotide sequence identity. More specifically, it may have at least 90% homology with the 16S rRNA consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1, and even more specifically, it may have 94%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, 99.8%, 99.9%, or 100% homology.

[0020] According to one embodiment, as a result of analyzing the homology of the base sequence and the phylogenetic tree, Lactobacillus paragasseri (based on the 16S rRNA consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1) Lactobacillus paragasseri It exhibits 100% homology with the standard strain, and Lactobacillus gasseri ( Lactobacillus gasseriIt was confirmed that it exhibits 99.87% homology with the standard strain, and phylogenetic tree analysis also confirmed that it forms a single lineage with Lactobacillus paragasseri and Lactobacillus gasseri.

[0021] Specifically, the strain may be a strain having 16S rRNA consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2 or 16S rRNA having a nucleotide sequence having 99% or more of the same nucleotide sequence identity therewith, and more specifically, may have at least 99%, 99.5%, 99.8%, 99.9%, or 100% homology with the 16S rRNA consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2.

[0022] According to one embodiment, as a result of analyzing the homology of the base sequence and the phylogenetic tree, based on the 16S rRNA consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO. 2, Lactobacillus johnsonii ( Lactobacillus johnsonii It exhibits 99.87% homology with the standard strain, and Lactobacillus taiwanesis ( Lactobacillus taiwanensis It was confirmed that it exhibits 99.80% homology with the standard strain, and phylogenetic tree analysis also confirmed that it forms a single lineage of Lactobacillus johnsonii and Lactobacillus taiwanesis.

[0023] Lactobacillus strains according to daily patterns are Lactobacillus gasseri ( Lactobacillus gasseri KSB233) strain (accession number: KCTC15912BP) or Lactobacillus johnsonii ( Lactobacillus johnsonii It may be the KSB232) strain (accession number: KCTC15913BP).

[0024] In this specification, the term "culture" may refer to a culture medium containing byproducts generated through the uptake of nutrients and metabolism by culturing the strain in the medium, and may include any form of culture that can be formed using the medium, such as a diluted solution or concentrate of the medium, a dried product obtained by drying the medium, a modified product or purified product of the medium, or a mixture thereof.

[0025] In one embodiment, a strain according to one aspect was cultured using MRS culture medium, and for the test, 1 x 10 9 It was aliquoted into CFU / ml concentrations and stored at -70℃ until administration.

[0026] In this specification, the term "prevention" refers to any act of inhibiting or delaying benign prostatic hyperplasia or alopecia by administering the strain or composition of the present invention.

[0027] In this specification, the term "treatment" refers to any act of alleviating symptoms caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia or alopecia and reducing all direct or indirect pathological consequences associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia or alopecia through the administration of the strain or composition of the present invention.

[0028] The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention can be formulated in the form of tablets, pills, powders, granules, capsules, suspensions, liquids, emulsions, syrups, aerosols, sterile injectable solutions, etc., according to conventional methods for preventing and treating benign prostatic hyperplasia or alopecia.

[0029] Solid dosage forms for oral administration include tablets, pills, powders, granules, capsules, etc., and these solid dosage forms may be prepared by mixing at least one excipient, such as starch, calcium carbonate, sucrose, lactose, gelatin, etc. In addition, in addition to simple excipients, lubricants such as magnesium stearate and talc may also be used.

[0030] Liquid preparations for oral administration include suspensions, oral liquids, emulsions, syrups, etc., and in addition to commonly used simple diluents such as water and liquid paraffin, various excipients, such as humectants, sweeteners, flavorings, and preservatives, may be used. Preparations for parenteral administration may include sterile aqueous solutions, non-aqueous solvents, suspensions, emulsions, lyophilized preparations, suppositories, etc. Non-aqueous solvents and suspension solvents may include propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oils such as olive oil, and injectable esters such as ethyl oleate.

[0031] Additionally, the pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may further comprise a carrier, an excipient, or a diluent. As a carrier, excipient, or diluent, lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, erythritol, maltitol, starch, acacia gum, alginate, gelatin, calcium phosphate, calcium silicate, cellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, water, methylhydroxybenzoate, propylhydroxybenzoate, talc, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, etc. may be used, but are not particularly limited thereto.

[0032] The specific dosage of the pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention may be selected by a person skilled in the art based on factors such as the formulation method, the patient's condition and body weight, the patient's gender, age, degree of disease, drug form, route and duration of administration, excretion rate, response responsiveness, etc.

[0033] Another aspect provides a method for preventing or treating benign prostatic hyperplasia or alopecia in an individual, comprising the step of administering the above-described pharmaceutical composition to the individual. The same parts as described above apply equally to the above method.

[0034] In this specification, the term “administration” may mean introducing the strain or composition of the present invention to an individual suspected of having benign prostatic hyperplasia or alopecia by a method appropriate in the art. The route of administration may be administered via various oral or parenteral routes as long as the purpose of the present invention is achieved, and is not particularly limited thereto; it may also be administered as a topical preparation or a cosmetic composition.

[0035] The term "individual" in this specification may refer to mammals such as cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, goats, camels, dogs, cats, and humans that have developed or are likely to develop benign prostatic hyperplasia or alopecia, and more specifically, may refer to mammals excluding humans.

[0036] Another aspect provides a food composition for the prevention or improvement of benign prostatic hyperplasia or alopecia comprising, as an active ingredient, one or more selected from the group consisting of strains of the genus Lactobacillus, cultures thereof, lysates thereof, and extracts thereof. The same as described above applies equally to the food composition.

[0037] The above Lactobacillus strain is Lactobacillus gasseri ( Lactobacillus gasseri ), Lactobacillus johnsonii ( Lactobacillus johnsonii ), Lactobacillus paragasseri( Lactobacillus paragasseri ) and Lactobacillus taiwanesis ( Lactobacillus taiwanensis It may be one or more selected from the group consisting of ), and more specifically, Lactobacillus gasseri ( Lactobacillus gasseri KSB233) strain (accession number: KCTC15912BP) or Lactobacillus johnsonii ( Lactobacillus johnsonii It may be the KSB232) strain (accession number: KCTC15913BP).

[0038] The above food composition includes forms such as pills, powders, granules, infusions, tablets, capsules, or liquids, and foods to which the above composition can be added include, for example, various types of food, such as beverages, chewing gum, tea, vitamin complexes, health supplements, etc., but are not particularly limited thereto.

[0039] There are no particular limitations on other ingredients that may be included in the food composition of the present invention, and various herbal extracts, food additives, or natural carbohydrates, etc., may be included as additional ingredients, as in conventional foods. The content of the active ingredient in the food composition may be appropriately determined according to the purpose of use (prevention, improvement, or therapeutic treatment). In this case, the content of the active ingredient included in the composition, i.e., the strain, may be appropriately selected by a person skilled in the art and is not particularly limited.

[0040] The above-mentioned food auxiliary additives may include food auxiliary additives common in the art, such as flavoring agents, flavoring agents, coloring agents, fillers, stabilizers, etc. Examples of the above-mentioned natural carbohydrates are monosaccharides, such as glucose, fructose, etc.; disaccharides, such as maltose, sucrose, etc.; and polysaccharides, such as conventional sugars like dextrin, cyclodextrin, etc.; and sugar alcohols such as xylitol, sorbitol, erythritol, etc. In addition to those described above, natural flavoring agents or synthetic flavoring agents may be used.

[0041] In this specification, the term "improvement" refers to any act in which symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia or alopecia are improved or beneficially altered by the administration of the strain or composition of the present invention. Effects of the invention

[0042] A Lactobacillus strain or composition according to one aspect may lower levels of 5α-reductase, DHT, and IL-8, thereby exhibiting preventive, improving, or therapeutic effects for benign prostatic hyperplasia or androgenetic alopecia. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0043] Figure 1 shows the results of measuring the prostate weight of test animals treated with Lactobacillus strains in a prostate enlargement model. Figure 2 shows the results of measuring the prostate index (prostate weight (g) / body weight (g)) of test animals treated with Lactobacillus strains in a prostate enlargement model. Figure 3 shows a microscopic image of a section of prostate tissue (H&E stained) excised from a prostate enlargement model animal. Figure 4 shows the results of measuring and comparing the epithelial thickness of stained prostate tissue. Figure 5 shows the results of measuring and comparing 5α-reductase levels in the blood of test animals according to treatment with Lactobacillus strains in a prostate enlargement model. Figure 6 shows the results of measuring and comparing DHT levels in the blood of test animals according to treatment with Lactobacillus strains in a prostate enlargement model. Figure 7 shows the results of measuring and comparing IL-8 levels in the blood of test animals according to treatment with Lactobacillus strains in a prostate enlargement model. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0044] The present invention will be described in more detail below through the attached drawings and embodiments. However, these drawings and embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0045] Example 1: Lactobacillus johnsonii ( Lactobacillus johnsonii ) and Lactobacillus gasseri ( Lactobacillus johnsonii ) preparation

[0046] The Lactobacillus strain according to the present invention is Lactobacillus gasseri ( Lactobacillus gasseriKSB233) and Lactobacillus johnsonii ( Lactobacillus johnsonii KSB232) was used, which was deposited under accession numbers KCTC15912BP and KCTC15913BP, respectively. Each strain was cultured in MRS medium, and 1 x 10⁶ were used for the test. 9 It was aliquoted at a concentration of CFU / ml and stored at -70℃ until administration.

[0047] Test Example 1: Lactobacillus johnsonii ( Lactobacillus johnsonii KSB232) and Lactobacillus gasseri ( Lactobacillus gasseri Evaluation of the efficacy of the KSB233 strain in improving benign prostatic hyperplasia in an animal model

[0048] Test Example 1-1: Preparation of Animal Model for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and Material Processing

[0049] Male SD rats aged 11 weeks were acclimatized for 1 week as test animals, and then treated with the substance as follows and tested for 8 weeks.

[0050] - Normal: Normal group

[0051] - BPH (Benign prostatic hyperplasia): Groups that cause benign prostatic hyperplasia

[0052] - BPH + LJ: Benign prostatic hyperplasia inducing group + Lactobacillus johnsonii ( Lactobacillus johnsonii ) Treatment group

[0053] - BPH + LG: Benign prostatic hyperplasia inducing group + Lactobacillus gasseri ( Lactobacillus gasseri ) Treatment group

[0054] - BPH + Fina: Benign prostatic hyperplasia-induced group + Finasteride-treated group

[0055] - BPH + Duta: Prostate enlargement induction group + dutasteride treatment group

[0056] Specifically, the normal group was treated with subcutaneous administration of corn oil and oral administration of water, and the benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) induced group was treated with subcutaneous administration of 3 mg / kg of testosterone propionate and oral administration of water.

[0057] Benign prostatic hyperplasia-inducing group + Lactobacillus johnsonii ( Lactobacillus johnsonii The treatment group (BPH + LJ) contained 1 x 10 Lactobacillus johnsonii in the benign prostatic hyperplasia-inducing group. 9 CFU were administered orally daily, and benign prostatic hyperplasia-induced group + Lactobacillus gasseri ( Lactobacillus gasseri The treatment group (BPH+LG) received 1 x 10 Lactobacillus gasseri from the benign prostatic hyperplasia-induced group. 9 CFU were administered orally daily (Lactobacillus strain treatment group).

[0058] The benign prostatic hyperplasia-induced group + finasteride treatment group (BPH+Fina) administered 10 mg / kg of finasteride daily orally to the benign prostatic hyperplasia-induced group, and the benign prostatic hyperplasia-induced group + dutasteride treatment group (BPH+Duta) administered 1 mg / kg of dutasteride daily orally to the benign prostatic hyperplasia-induced group (benign prostatic hyperplasia drug treatment group).

[0059] Statistical analysis

[0060] Data were expressed as mean ± standard error (n=8), and statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA. Significant differences were P<0.01, P<0.05, P<0.001

[0061] Test Example 1-2: Analysis of Prostate Weight and Prostate Index

[0062] After the completion of the test according to Test Example 1-1 above, all rats in the test group were euthanized, and major organs including the prostate were removed and weighed using an electronic scale. Specifically, the prostate weight of test animals treated with Lactobacillus strains in a prostate enlargement model was measured, and the prostate index was calculated using body weight and prostate weight (prostate weight (g) / body weight (g)), and the results are shown in Figures 1 and 2.

[0063] As a result, it was confirmed that prostate enlargement was induced in the BPH group, with a significant increase in prostate weight and prostate index compared to the normal group, and in all Lactobacillus strain treatment groups, a significant decrease in prostate weight and prostate index compared to the BPH group was confirmed, similar to the prostate enlargement drug treatment group.

[0064] Test Examples 1-3: Analysis of Prostate Histopathological Changes

[0065] After the completion of the test according to Test Example 1-1 above, the excised prostate was fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin, and a paraffin block was prepared. H&E staining was performed on 4 μm thick sections. The stained prostate slides were observed under a microscope at 40x magnification, and the confirmed images are shown in Figure 3. As a result, it was confirmed that benign prostatic hyperplasia was improved in both the Lactobacillus-treated group and the benign prostatic hyperplasia drug-treated group compared to the BPH group.

[0066] In addition, as shown in Figure 4, when the thickness of the prostate epithelial cells of the stained prostate tissue was measured and compared, it was confirmed that the BPH group showed a significant increase in the thickness of the prostate epithelium compared to the normal group, indicating that prostate enlargement was induced. In all Lactobacillus-treated groups, a significant decrease in the thickness of the prostate epithelium compared to the BPH group was confirmed, similar to the level of the prostate enlargement drug-treated group.

[0067] Test Example 1-4: Analysis of 5α-reductase and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels

[0068] After the test according to Test Example 1-1 above, blood collected from each rat was centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 5 minutes, and the separated serum was used to measure and analyze 5α-reductase and DHT levels using an EILSA kit (Mybiosource, San Diego, CA, USA), and the results are shown in Figures 5 and 6, respectively.

[0069] As a result, it was confirmed that the BPH group showed a significant increase in 5α-reductase and DHT levels compared to the normal group, indicating that prostate enlargement was induced, and in all Lactobacillus-treated groups, a significant decrease in 5α-reductase and DHT levels compared to the BPH group was confirmed, similar to the levels in the prostate enlargement drug-treated group.

[0070] Test Example 1-5: IL-8 Numerical Analysis

[0071] After the completion of the test according to Test Example 1-1 above, blood collected from each rat was centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 5 minutes, and the separated serum was used to measure and analyze IL-8 levels using an EILSA kit (Mybiosource, San Diego, CA, USA), and the results are shown in Figure 7. As a result, a significant decrease in IL-8 levels was confirmed compared to the BPH group, particularly in the Lactobacillus gasseri treatment group, to a level similar to that of the prostate enlargement drug treatment group.

[0072] The foregoing description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will understand that other specific forms can be easily modified without altering the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

[0073] Depository Name: Korea Research Institute of Biotechnology and Bioengineering Biological Resource Center (KCTC) Trustee Number: KCTC15912BP Date of Deposit: 2024-05-21 Depository Name: Korea Research Institute of Biotechnology and Bioengineering Biological Resource Center (KCTC) Trustee Number: KCTC15913BP Date of Deposit: 2024-05-21

Claims

Claim 1 Lactobacillus johnsonii with accession number KCTC15913BP, which has the effect of preventing, improving, or treating benign prostatic hyperplasia by reducing prostate epithelial thickness, 5α-reductase, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and IL-8 levels ( Lactobacillus johnsonii ) KSB232 strain. Claim 2 Lactobacillus johnsonii with accession number KCTC15913BP pursuant to Article 1 ( Lactobacillus johnsonii A pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, comprising as an active ingredient one or more selected from the group consisting of the KSB232 strain, its culture, lysate, and extract. Claim 3 A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 2, wherein the strain has 16S rRNA consisting of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO.

2. Claim 4 A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 2, wherein the strain has 16S rRNA comprising a nucleotide sequence having 99% or more sequence identity with SEQ ID NO.

2. Claim 5 Lactobacillus johnsonii with accession number KCTC15913BP pursuant to Article 1 ( Lactobacillus johnsonii A food composition for preventing or improving benign prostatic hyperplasia, comprising as an active ingredient one or more selected from the group consisting of the KSB232 strain, its culture, crushed material, and extract.

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