The probiotic supplementation role in improving the immune system among people with ulcerative colitis: a narrative review

A review for non-antibiotic treatment of Helicobacter pylori: new insight

Gastric ulcers and gastric cancer are brought on by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria, which colonizes under the stomach mucous membrane. Different medication regimens are used to remove it, but the illness returns and becomes more resistant, which lowers the treatment rates. Additionally, this bacterium now exhibits a skyrocketing level of multi-drug resistance, necessitating recurrent therapeutic treatments. The negative effects of synthetic medications in comparison to conventional therapies are another significant factor in favor of non-pharmacological therapy. The most significant side effects of popular anti-gastric ulcer medications include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Stomach ulcers have previously been treated with herbal remedies and complementary treatments like probiotics. When probiotics are ingested, the host experiences several advantages that may be brought about by altering the bacterial flora in the digestive system. Additionally, stronger-acting chemical compounds and plant extracts can be employed to treat patients. In this article, we look at the substances and medications that are utilized in place of synthetic stomach ulcer-curing treatments.

Immunity orchestrates a bridge in gut-brain axis of neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases, in particular for Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and Multiple sclerosis (MS), are a category of diseases with progressive loss of neuronal structure or function (encompassing neuronal death) leading to neuronal dysfunction, whereas the underlying pathogenesis remains to be clarified. As the microbiological ecosystem of the intestinal microbiome serves as the second genome of the human body, it is strongly implicated as an essential element in the initiation and/or progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Nevertheless, the precise underlying principles of how the intestinal microflora impact on neurodegenerative diseases via gut-brain axis by modulating the immune function are still poorly characterized. Consequently, an overview of initiating the development of neurodegenerative diseases and the contribution of intestinal microflora on immune function is discussed in this review.

Synergistic Effects of Licorice Root and Walnut Leaf Extracts on Gastrointestinal Candidiasis, Inflammation and Gut Microbiota Composition in Mice

Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that causes gastrointestinal (GI) candidiasis closely associated with intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis. Drug resistance, side effects of available antifungal agents, and the high recurrence of candidiasis highlight the need for new treatments. We investigated the effects of hydroethanolic extracts of licorice root (LRE) and walnut leaf (WLE) on GI colonization by C. albicans, colon inflammation, and gut microbiota composition in C57BL/6 female mice. Oral administration of LRE and WLE alone or in combination once daily for 12 days before C. albicans infection and then for 5 days after infection significantly reduced the level of C. albicans in the feces of gastrointestinal infected mice as well as colonization of the GI tract, both extracts showing robust antifungal activity. Although total bacterial content was unaffected by the extracts (individually or combined), the abundance of protective bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium spp. and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, increased with the combination, in contrast to that of certain pathobiont bacteria, which decreased. Interestingly, the combination induced a more robust decrease in the expression of proinflammatory genes than either extract alone. The anti-inflammatory activity of the combination was further supported by the reciprocal increase in the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines and the significant decrease in enzymes involved in the synthesis of proinflammatory eicosanoids and oxidative stress. These findings suggest that LRE and WLE have synergistic effects and that the LRE/WLE combination could be a good candidate for limiting GI candidiasis and associated inflammation, likely by modulating the composition of the gut microbiota. IMPORTANCE The adverse effects and emergence of resistance of currently available antifungals and the high recurrence of candidiasis prompt the need for alternative and complementary strategies. We demonstrated that oral administration of hydroethanolic extracts of licorice root (LRE) and walnut leaf (WLE) separately or in combination significantly reduced the colonization of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract by C. albicans, highlighting a robust antifungal activity of these plant extracts. Interestingly, our data indicate a correlation between LRE and WLE consumption, in particular the combination, and a shift within the gut microbiome toward a protective profile, a decrease in colonic inflammation and prooxidant enzymes, suggesting a synergistic effect. This study highlights the significant prebiotic potential of the LRE/WLE combination and suggests that the health benefits are due, at least in part, to their ability to modulate the gut microbiota, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, and protect against opportunistic infection.