Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
4. Developing newer production technologies to ensure the stability and viability of
probiotics.
177
5. Conducting larger
controlled clinical studies to clarify optimal agents; doses; com-
binations of various probiotics, prebiotics, and antibiotics; and usefulness in other
therapeutic conditions.
176
Despite the problems associated with dosage, viability, lack of industrial standard-
ization, and potential safety issues, there is a considerable potential for the develop-
ment of probiotics for a wide range of clinical conditions. Some of the commercially
available probiotic preparations include Allergy Research 73390 (containing 20 bil-
lion CFU of LGG), Allergy Research 72780 (a combination of
L. plantarum, L.
salivarius, L. rhamnosus
), Pro-culture Gold
TM
(containing
L. rhamnosus
), and Pro-
immune support
TM
(β 1,3/1, 6 glucan,
L. plantarum
).
18.8 CoNClusIoNs
With the increasing consumer awareness regarding linkage of diet and health,
research in probiotics seems a highly fascinating challenge. Even though the idea
that probiotics are a panacea for a multitude of diseases as yet seems farfetched,
use of these agents as an adjunct to other established therapies has definitely shown
potential benefits. It is a well-documented fact that probiotics can provide a stabiliz-
ing influence on the human ecosystem. Although the precise mechanism of action
needs to be illustrated to provide a scientific rationale for their use, the information
regarding therapeutic effectiveness can help in designing large, double-blind, con-
trolled clinical trials. The importance of specifying the probiotic strain used during
each clinical study must be emphasized within the scientific community as it may
have important implications for assessing the studies and for planning future stud-
ies. Looking at the immense clinical/research data indicating the wide therapeutic
applications of probiotics, it seems important to develop these agents as pharma-
ceuticals. A pharmaceutical scientist can help in proposing the systems, which can
result in improved adhesion of probiotics in the GIT. The future of probiotics will
rely on better elucidation of their mechanism of action and on maximization of their
therapeutic potential, a burning challenge for zealous scientists.
rEFErENCEs
1. Caramia, G., Probiotics: From Metchnikoff to the current preventive and therapeutic
possibilities,
Pediatr. Med. Chir.,
26,19,2004.
2. Fuller, R., Probiotics in man and animals,
J. Appl. Bacteriol.,
66, 365,1989.
3. Lilly, D.M. and Stillwell, R.H., Probiotics: Growth promoting factors produced by
microorganisms,
Science,
47,747,1965.
4. Scarpellini, E. et al., Probiotics: Which and when?
Dig. Dis.
26,175,2008.
5. de Vrese, M. and Schrezenmeir, J., Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics,
Adv. Biochem.
Eng. Biotechnol.,
2008.
