Probiotics as an Alternative Strategy for Prevention and Treatment of Human Diseases: A Review

Abstract

Probiotics are live microbial food supplements or their components, which have been shown to have beneficial effects on human health. Probiotics can be bacteria, molds, or yeasts, but most of them fall into the group known as lactic acid bacteria and are normally consumed in the form of yogurt, fermented milk, or other fermented foods. Data from clinical trials have shown contrasting effects and should be interpreted with caution. A large variety of potential beneficial effects have been reported including improvement of intestinal tract health, enhancing the immune system, reducing symptoms of lactose intolerance, decreasing the prevalence of allergy in susceptible individuals, reducing risk of certain cancers, treating colitis, lowering serum cholesterol concentrations, reducing blood pressure in hypertensives, and improving female urogenital infections and Helicobacter pylori infections. The aim of this article is to present a review of the current expanding knowledge of applications of utilizing probiotic microorganisms in the prevention and treatment of several diseases.

Double-culture Method Enhances the in Vitro Inhibition of Atopy-inducing Factors by Lactococcus lactis

“…Clinical studies have found that [40]. In addition, many studies reported that probiotics, and homogenates of lactic acid bacteria are effective for preventing cancer [29], improving absorption of lactose and milk proteins [15], decreasing cholesterol [42], treating rheumatoid arthritis [5], and enhancing intestinal regulation [20]. Thus, in terms of the functionality of lactic acid bacteria, this study confirmed that antimicrobial and anti-allergic activity was increased by culturing the lactic acid bacteria in a medium containing the supernatant of lactic acid bacteria.…”

“…The microplate was then washed, 100 μl of substrate solution was added to each of the wells, and the wells were then incubated at room temperature in a dark room for 30 min. 50 μl of a stop solution was added to each of the wells, and the wells were measured at an absorbance of 450 nm using a microplate spectrophotometer (ELISA reader, Molecular Devices, CA, USA) [20,32].…”

“…casei had strain-specific therapeutic effects on allergy [25,40]. Various studies also showed that probiotics, killed lactic acid bacteria, and lactic acid bacteria lysates induced anti-cancer effect [29], improved absorption of lactose and milk proteins [15], lower serum cholesterol levels [42], treatment for rheumatoid arthritis [5], and intestinal regulation [20].…”

Hypocholesterolaemic Effects of Probiotics

“…The most common microorganisms in probiotic preparations that possess health benefits are lactic acid bacteria (LAB), mainly lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Probiotics have been reported to improve intestinal tract health, enhance the immune system, reduce symptoms of lactose intolerance, decrease the prevalence of allergy, treat colitis and lower serum cholesterol levels [61][62][63].…”

Biotechnological Aspects in the Selection of the Probiotic Capacity of Strains

“…The administration of probiotics has demonstrated that they can notably reduce cholesterol levels [31,32].…”