Title:Probiotics in Curing Allergic and Inflammatory Conditions - Research Progress and Futuristic Vision
Volume: 10
Issue: 2
Author(s): Kuldeep Dhama, Shyma K. Latheef, Ashok K. Munjal, Rekha Khandia, Hari A. Samad, Hafiz M.N. Iqbal and Sunil K. Joshi
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Allergy, beneficial microbes, immune response, immunomodulation, inflammation, modes of action, probiotics,
treatment.
Abstract: Background: Probiotics constitute the viable and beneficial microbes, which
offer a dietary means to sustain the balance of gastro-intestinal (GI) microflora. Owing
to their multiple health benefits, these have recently gained wide attention among researchers
for exploring their potential in safeguarding the health of humans and animals.
Probiotics could also modulate host-immune responses, thereby help in counteracting
the immunological dysfunctions. Probiotics can inhibit the systemic invasion of pathogens
entering through the GI mucosa/ oral cavity and have been found to possess effective
prophylactic and therapeutic utilities against various infectious pathogens as well as
non-infectious diseases and disorders.
Objective: The present review expedites the role of probiotics in curing the ailments
related to allergic and inflammatory disease conditions.
Method: A thorough reviewing of the literature and patents available on probiotics and their role in countering
inflammation and allergy was conducted using authentic published resources available on Medline,
PubMed, PubMed Central, Science Direct and other scientific databases. The information retrieved
has been compiled and analysed pertaining to the theme of the study.
Results: Various micro-organisms have been evaluated for their probiotic efficacy, among these, the
lactic acid bacteria viz. Lactobacillus sp. and Bifidobacterium sp. have extensively been studied and
widely exploited. In the current post-globalized era of self and complementary medicines, the concept of
probiotics and their therapeutic as well as prophylactic usage is gaining wide acceptance. As more and
more bacterial strains are being proven for their pronounced influence on down regulation of immune
regulation, atopic, inflammatory conditions, the use of probiotics is getting increased especially in the
developed countries where such indications are high in prevalence. Apart from usage in immune related
disorders, probiotics have been found to be effective in treating pouchitis, infantile diarrhoea due to infections,
bacterial vaginosis, urinary tract infections, dental carries, diabetes, cancers as well augmenting
the gut mucosal tolerance to various antibiotics and lactose intolerance.
Conclusion: The resent review gives an insight towards potent utility of this branch of beneficial microbial
therapy in allergy and inflammations, which is still in the emerging phase and more scientific evidences
need to be explored regarding exploration of the mechanisms of action, further experimental trials
and validation of controlled clinical studies in humans along with designing novel strategies for monitoring
the possible microbial changes in their composition and metabolism associated with their interaction
upon host immune system.
