Probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics: Safe options for next-generation therapeutics

Abstract

Probiotics have been considered as an economical and safe alternative for the treatment of a large number of chronic diseases and improvement of human health. They are known to modulate the host immunity and protect from several infectious and non-infectious diseases. The colonization, killing of pathogens and induction of host cells are few of the important probiotic attributes which affect several functions of the host. In addition, prebiotics and non-digestible food substances selectively promote the growth of probiotics and human health through nutrient enrichment, and modulation of gut microbiota and immune system. This review highlights the role of probiotics and prebiotics alone and in combination (synbiotics) in the modulation of immune system, treatment of infections, management of inflammatory bowel disease and cancer therapy. KEY POINTS: • Probiotics and their derivatives against several human diseases. • Prebiotics feed probiotics and induce several functions in the host. • Discovery of novel and biosafe products needs attention for human health.

Keywords: Chronic diseases; Human health; Prebiotics; Probiotics; Synbiotics.

Fig. 1

A schematic diagram showing the potential roles of prebiotics, probiotics and synbiotics in immune modulation, inhibition of HIV and coronaviruses, inflammatory bowel diseases and cancer cells. HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; CD4, cluster of differentiation 4; hsCRP, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; B cells, t-lymphocyte cells; NK cells, natural killer cells; T cell, t-lymphocytes; IL-10, interleukin-10; IFN-g, interferon gamma. The pictures are taken from BioRender.com

Fig. 2

A schematic diagram showing the modulation of host immune system by probiotics and their derivatives. Akt, protein kinase B; PKC, protein kinase C; TNF α, tumour necrosis factor α; NK cells, natural killer cells; IL-12, interleukin-12; Th1, type 1 t helper; IgA, immunoglobulin A