Gut-brain axis: A cutting-edge approach to target neurological disorders and potential synbiotic application


Author: Sumel Ashique1, Sourav Mohanto2, Mohammed Gulzar Ahmed2, Neeraj Mishra3, Ashish Garg4, Dinesh Kumar Chellappan5, Timothy Omara6, Shabnoor Iqbal7, Ivan Kahwa8

Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bengal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Research, Durgapur, 713212, West Bengal, India.

<sup>2</sup> Department of Pharmaceutics, Yenepoya Pharmacy College & Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to Be University), Mangalore, Karnataka, 575018, India.

<sup>3</sup> Department of Pharmaceutics, Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University Madhya Pradesh (AUMP), Gwalior, MP, 474005, India.

<sup>4</sup> Department of Pharmaceutics, Guru Ramdas Khalsa Institute of Science and Technology (Pharmacy), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India.

<sup>5</sup> Department of Life Sciences, School of Pharmacy, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil, 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

<sup>6</sup> Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.

<sup>7</sup> African Medicines Innovations and Technologies Development, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa.

<sup>8</sup> Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Uganda.
Conference/Journal: Heliyon
Date published: 2024 Jul 4
Other:
 Volume ID: 10   ,  Issue ID: 13   ,  Pages: e34092   ,  Special Notes: doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34092.   ,  Word Count: 203  
    The microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) represents a sophisticated communication network between the brain and the gut, involving immunological, endocrinological, and neural mediators. This bidirectional interaction is facilitated through the vagus nerve, sympathetic and parasympathetic fibers, and is regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Evidence shows that alterations in gut microbiota composition, or dysbiosis, significantly impact neurological disorders (NDs) like anxiety, depression, autism, Parkinson's disease (PD), and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Dysbiosis can affect the central nervous system (CNS) via neuroinflammation and microglial activation, highlighting the importance of the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) in disease pathogenesis. The microbiota influences the immune system by modulating chemokines and cytokines, impacting neuronal health. Synbiotics have shown promise in treating NDs by enhancing cognitive function and reducing inflammation. The gut microbiota's role in producing neurotransmitters and neuroactive compounds, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), is critical for CNS homeostasis. Therapeutic interventions targeting the MGBA, including dietary modulation and synbiotic supplementation, offer potential benefits for managing neurodegenerative disorders. However, more in-depth clinical studies are necessary to fully understand and harness the therapeutic potential of the MGBA in neurological health and disease.



Keywords: Microbiota-gut-brain axis; Neurological diseases; Pathological perspectives; Probiotics; Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs); Synbiotics.



PMID: 39071627 PMCID: PMC11279763 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34092