Therapeutic Potential of Synbiotics in Management of Various Disorders

Scientifically, it is well-established that some microorganisms species can cause harm to humans or even death. However, we are surrounded by a vital natural living system of helpful microbes that reside in or on our bodies. It has long been recognized that the body of an individual contains at least ten times as many bacteria as there are human cells, with the majority of those bacteria being concentrated in the gut. Synbiotics contain prebiotics and probiotics together in one formulation. The combination of prebiotics and probiotics are known as “synbiotics,” in which certain prebiotic components assist probiotic bacteria to proliferate. The primary aim behind the use of synbiotics is to maintain the level of beneficial microbiome which helps in maintaining proper health of the gut by modulating the metabolism as per the requirement of the body system. Synbiotics may be the prudent and most efficient treatment strategy to prevent colonization and infection by gut pathogens, primarily bacterial pathogens. The effects of synbiotics may occur in two different ways, i.e., by promoting the growth of native, beneficial microflora like bifidobacteria after ingesting prebiotics alone, or by improving the well-being of the host after ingesting a combination of prebiotics and probiotics. Literature reports have documented the various pharmacological activities of synbiotics including antidepression, antiparkinson, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, etc. Synbiotics have been recommended for various chronic diseases as supplements to existing therapies. The present chapter has been designed to study the various pharmacological actions of synbiotics along with the reported clinical trials at a single platform.