Probiotics and its Application in Humans: An Overview

Abstract

Probiotics are live microorganisms that have been identified as natural alternatives to antibiotics, which are typically used to treat bacterial infections causing many diseases in both humans and animals. It discusses the benefits and drawbacks of probiotics and presents evidence from recent clinical trials and experimental models, showcasing their potential to protect human and animal health. Probiotics have demonstrated potential in enhancing health and aiding in the treatment and prevention of various conditions such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and periodontal diseases. The human gut harbors a diverse microbial community crucial for intestinal health. Disruptions in this microbiome are linked to diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), cancer, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders. Probiotics help restore gut microbiota balance, particularly during antibiotic treatments, reducing AAD incidence. They alleviate IBS symptoms and maintain oral health by modulating oral biofilm, reducing pathogen colonization, and enhancing immune response. Additionally, probiotics exhibit anti-carcinogenic properties by inhibiting bacterial enzymes involved in carcinogen formation and binding aflatoxins, thereby reducing cancer risk. Although antibiotics are life-saving drugs for bacterial illnesses, their excessive and inappropriate usage has led to increased bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and host microbiota imbalance, or dysbiosis. AMR is a major global health threat, potentially leading to millions of deaths annually. Thus, finding and creating antibiotic substitutes is imperative. Evidence suggests that probiotics can counteract infections, modulate immune responses, and regulate gut flora to preserve overall human health. This analysis also examines the potential use of probiotics by their various mechanism to act against infections