A combination of rice bran and Lactobacillus johnsonii 23 bacteria significantly reduced inflammation and healed gut damage in mice with ulcerative colitis, according to a 2026 research study. The treatment improved disease symptoms, boosted antioxidant defenses, and reduced inflammatory chemicals while increasing protective compounds in the intestines. However, these results are from mouse studies only, human clinical trials are needed before this approach can be recommended as a medical treatment for people with inflammatory bowel disease.
Researchers tested whether rice bran combined with a specific bacteria called Lactobacillus johnsonii 23 could help treat ulcerative colitis, a painful gut disease. In mice with induced colitis, the combination treatment reduced inflammation, improved gut healing, and boosted the body’s natural antioxidant defenses. The bacteria produces an enzyme that helps break down plant compounds in rice bran, making them more beneficial. According to Gram Research analysis, this combination approach shows promise as a potential dietary supplement for people struggling with inflammatory bowel disease, though human studies are still needed.
Key Statistics
A 2026 research study found that combining rice bran with Lactobacillus johnsonii 23 bacteria reversed intestinal tissue damage in mice with ulcerative colitis, including healing of the intestinal lining, recovery of protective mucus-producing cells, and reduction of inflammatory cell infiltration.
According to research reviewed by Gram, the combined rice bran and bacteria treatment increased antioxidant enzyme levels (SOD, GSH, and GSH-Px) while reducing harmful oxidative stress markers (MDA) in mice with induced ulcerative colitis.
The 2026 study demonstrated that the combination treatment decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) while increasing anti-inflammatory factors (IL-10) in mice with ulcerative colitis, shifting the immune response toward healing.
Research showed that the combined intervention preserved short-chain fatty acids in the intestines of mice with ulcerative colitis, compounds that normally become depleted during disease and are important for maintaining a healthy intestinal barrier.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether rice bran combined with a special bacteria could reduce inflammation and heal damage in mice with ulcerative colitis (a type of inflammatory bowel disease)
- Who participated: Laboratory mice that were given a chemical to induce ulcerative colitis symptoms, then treated with either rice bran alone, the bacteria alone, or both together
- Key finding: Mice receiving both rice bran and the bacteria showed significant improvement in disease symptoms, gut tissue healing, and reduced inflammation markers compared to untreated mice
- What it means for you: This research suggests a potential new dietary approach for ulcerative colitis, but these results are from mice studies only. People with inflammatory bowel disease should continue following their doctor’s treatment plans while this research advances toward human testing
The Research Details
Scientists induced ulcerative colitis in laboratory mice using a chemical called dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). They then divided the mice into different treatment groups: some received rice bran, some received a special bacteria called Lactobacillus johnsonii 23, some received both, and some received neither as a control group. The bacteria was chosen because it naturally produces an enzyme called feruloyl esterase, which helps break down plant compounds in rice bran into forms the body can use more easily.
Over the course of the study, researchers measured multiple indicators of gut health and inflammation. They looked at how much weight the mice gained or lost, examined tissue samples under a microscope to see if the gut lining was healing, measured inflammatory chemicals in the blood and tissue, and analyzed the bacteria and compounds in the mice’s intestines. This multi-pronged approach allowed them to understand exactly how the treatment was working at different levels.
The combination treatment was compared against each component alone and against untreated mice to determine whether rice bran and the bacteria worked better together than separately.
This research design is important because it tests a practical, food-based approach rather than a pharmaceutical drug. By using a naturally occurring bacteria and a common food ingredient, researchers are exploring whether everyday dietary changes could help manage a serious chronic disease. The study also measures multiple aspects of gut health, not just symptoms, but also the underlying biological mechanisms, which helps explain how the treatment actually works in the body.
This is a controlled laboratory study with clear treatment groups and multiple measurement methods, which is a solid foundation for early research. However, it was conducted only in mice, not humans, so results cannot be directly applied to people yet. The study appears to be well-designed with appropriate controls and comprehensive measurements of inflammation and gut health markers. The specific sample size of mice was not provided in the available information, which limits our ability to assess statistical power. Human clinical trials would be needed before this approach could be recommended as a medical treatment.
What the Results Show
The combined treatment of rice bran and Lactobacillus johnsonii 23 produced dramatic improvements in the mice with ulcerative colitis. Mice receiving both treatments showed better weight maintenance, lower disease activity scores (a measure of symptom severity), and longer colons compared to untreated mice. When researchers examined the gut tissue under a microscope, they found that the combination treatment reversed the damage caused by the chemical induction of colitis, the intestinal lining was healing, the protective mucus-producing cells were recovering, and inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced.
The treatment also boosted the body’s natural antioxidant defenses. Antioxidants are molecules that protect cells from damage. The mice receiving the combination treatment showed higher levels of protective antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH, and GSH-Px) and lower levels of a harmful molecule called MDA that indicates cellular damage. This suggests the treatment helps the body defend itself against the oxidative stress that accompanies inflammation.
Perhaps most importantly, the combination treatment reduced the production of inflammatory chemicals. The mice showed decreased levels of three major pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α) while increasing levels of an anti-inflammatory factor (IL-10). This shift from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory signaling is a key mechanism for reducing gut inflammation.
The combined treatment also preserved short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the mice’s intestines. These are beneficial compounds produced when gut bacteria ferment fiber, and they play an important role in maintaining a healthy intestinal barrier and reducing inflammation. The DSS chemical normally depletes these protective compounds, but the combination treatment helped maintain them. This suggests the bacteria and rice bran work together to support a healthier gut microbiome environment.
This research builds on existing knowledge that both rice bran and specific probiotic bacteria can have anti-inflammatory effects individually. The novel contribution here is demonstrating that combining them produces synergistic effects, meaning they work better together than either would alone. The use of a bacteria that specifically produces feruloyl esterase is innovative because this enzyme helps unlock beneficial compounds in rice bran that the body might not otherwise be able to access. This represents a more sophisticated approach to probiotic therapy than simply adding bacteria without considering what they can do to food components.
The most significant limitation is that this research was conducted in mice, not humans. Mouse studies are useful for understanding mechanisms and identifying promising approaches, but results often don’t translate directly to people due to differences in physiology, immune systems, and microbiome composition. The study did not specify the exact number of mice used in each group, making it difficult to assess whether the sample size was adequate. Additionally, this was a controlled laboratory setting where mice received precise doses of treatment, real-world use by humans would involve variables like diet, stress, and medication interactions that weren’t tested here. The study also doesn’t address how long the benefits might last or whether the treatment would work for people with different genetic backgrounds or disease severity levels.
The Bottom Line
Based on this mouse research, rice bran and Lactobacillus johnsonii 23 show promise as a potential dietary supplement for ulcerative colitis, but human clinical trials are essential before any recommendations can be made. People currently managing ulcerative colitis should continue their prescribed medical treatments. While rice bran is a safe food ingredient, using it specifically as a therapeutic intervention should only be done under medical supervision until human studies confirm safety and effectiveness. The confidence level for this research is moderate, it’s solid preliminary evidence that warrants further investigation, but not yet ready for clinical application.
This research is most relevant to people with ulcerative colitis or other inflammatory bowel diseases, as well as researchers developing new treatments for these conditions. Healthcare providers managing IBD patients should be aware of this emerging research direction. People interested in food-based approaches to health may find this interesting, but should not attempt to self-treat serious conditions like ulcerative colitis without medical guidance. This research is less relevant to people without inflammatory bowel disease, though the general principles about gut health and beneficial bacteria may have broader applications.
In the mouse studies, improvements in disease markers were observed over the course of the treatment period, suggesting relatively rapid effects. However, translating this to humans would require different timelines. If human clinical trials proceed, they would likely take 1-3 years to complete. Even if successful in humans, regulatory approval and availability as a therapeutic product could take several additional years. In the meantime, people with ulcerative colitis should expect their current medical treatments to remain the standard of care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can rice bran and probiotics help treat ulcerative colitis?
A 2026 mouse study found that combining rice bran with Lactobacillus johnsonii 23 bacteria significantly reduced inflammation and healed gut damage. However, these results are from animal studies only. People with ulcerative colitis should continue their prescribed medical treatments and consult their doctor before adding dietary supplements.
What does feruloyl esterase do in the gut?
Feruloyl esterase is an enzyme produced by certain bacteria that breaks down plant compounds called ferulic acid esters found in rice bran. This enzyme makes these beneficial plant compounds more accessible for the body to absorb and use, potentially enhancing their anti-inflammatory effects.
How quickly do probiotics help with inflammatory bowel disease?
In the mouse study, improvements in inflammation markers and gut healing were observed during the treatment period. However, human responses vary significantly. Any benefits in people would likely take weeks to months to appear, and results depend on individual factors like disease severity, other medications, and overall health.
Is rice bran safe for people with ulcerative colitis?
Rice bran is a safe food ingredient for most people. However, during active flare-ups of ulcerative colitis, high-fiber foods like rice bran may worsen symptoms in some individuals. Anyone with inflammatory bowel disease should introduce new foods gradually and under medical supervision to monitor personal tolerance.
When will this treatment be available for humans?
This mouse research is promising but preliminary. Human clinical trials would need to be conducted first, which typically takes 1-3 years. Even if successful, regulatory approval and commercial availability could take several additional years. Current medical treatments remain the standard of care for ulcerative colitis.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Users with inflammatory bowel disease could track daily symptom severity (pain level 1-10, bowel movement frequency, blood in stool yes/no) alongside dietary intake of rice bran or fermented foods containing beneficial bacteria. This creates a personal data log to share with healthcare providers and identify patterns.
- If a user’s doctor approves, they could gradually introduce rice bran into their diet (starting with small amounts like 1-2 tablespoons daily mixed into yogurt or smoothies) while logging any changes in symptoms. The app could send reminders for consistent intake and prompt weekly symptom check-ins.
- Over 4-8 weeks, the app could help users track whether symptoms improve, stay the same, or worsen. Users should also monitor energy levels, weight changes, and overall quality of life. This data should be reviewed with their healthcare provider to determine if the dietary addition is helpful for their specific situation. The app should include a clear reminder that this is supplementary to medical treatment, not a replacement.
This research was conducted in laboratory mice and has not been tested in humans. The findings do not constitute medical advice or a recommended treatment for ulcerative colitis or any other condition. People with inflammatory bowel disease should continue following their healthcare provider’s treatment plans. Before adding rice bran, probiotics, or any dietary supplement to your regimen, consult with your doctor or gastroenterologist, especially if you have active disease symptoms or are taking medications. This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical diagnosis or treatment.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.
