The Role of Psychobiotics to Ensure Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic-A Current State of Knowledge

Abstract

Psychobiotics are defined as probiotics, mainly of the genus Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, that confer mental health benefits to the host when consumed in a particular quantity through the interaction with commensal gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, which means a diverse and dynamic population of microorganisms harboring the gastrointestinal tract, communicates with the brain and vice versa through the brain-gut axis. The mechanisms of action of psychobiotics may be divided into four groups: synthesis of neurotransmitters and neurochemicals, regulation of the HPA axis, influence on the immune system, and synthesis of metabolites. Recent years showed that the COVID-19 pandemic affected not only physical, but also mental health. Social isolation, fear of infection, the lack of adequate vaccine, disinformation, increased number of deaths, financial loss, quarantine, and lockdown are all factors can cause psychiatric problems. The aim of this review was to discuss the potential role of psychobiotic in light of the current problems, based on in vitro and in vivo studies, meta-analyses, clinical trials evidence, and registered studies assessing probiotics' therapeutic administration in the prevention or treatment of symptoms or side effects of COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; mental health; probiotics; psychobiotics.

Figure 1

The mechanisms of action by which the gut microbiota elicit the potential psychobiotic effects—regulation of the HPA axis, influence on the immune system, synthesis of neurotransmitters and neurochemicals, and synthesis of metabolites. HPA axis—the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis; SCFAs—short chain fatty acids; GABA—γ-aminobutyric acid. Adapted from “Gut-Brain-Axis”, by BioRender.com (accessed on 26 August 2022). Retrieved from https://app.biorender.com/biorender-templates.