Probiotics and Its Therapeutic Effects: A Review

Abstract

Mankind has been exploiting microorganisms involuntarily from the very beginning until Louis Pasteur proposed the role of microorganisms in fermentation. However, the ability of these microorganisms to reshape the human life came into frame through the pioneering studies by ‘The father of Probiotics’, Ellie Metchnikoff in the beginning of 20th century. Replacement of putrefactive bacteria in the gut micro biome by probiotics microorganisms has shown to restore and maintain the gastrointestinal health. Probiotics by definition is “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”. Though the most common strains of probiotics employed are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium sp., the prospect of other microorganisms are still being explored. This review mainly focuses on the potential therapeutic effects of probiotics on different classes of diarrhea such as acute infectious diarrhea, traveler’s diarrhea, Antibiotic associated diarrhea, inflammatory Bowel Syndrome, Necrotizing Enterocolitis as well as the its effects on various skin diseases such as Atopic dermatitis, Psoriasis, Acne, Rosacea along with some miscellaneous effects Hypercholestremia, wounds, urogenital tract infections, etc.