The metabolic and immunomodulatory functions of Bacteroides fragilis; a next-generation probiotic?

Abstract

Today, probiotics are one of the most popular microbial groups for the development of research due to their naturalness and beneficial health effects. Recently, next-generation probiotics (NGPs), with the emerging concept of live biotherapeutic products have been proposed. Bacteroides and especially Bacteroides fragilis, as a potent NGP, is one of the members of the gut microbiota and, like a double-edged sword, plays a role in both causing diseases such as colitis, colorectal cancer, and Alzheimer's, and in preventing and improving diseases such as colitis, cancer, central nervous system disorders, infectious diseases, asthma, and abscesses. In fact, certain strains of B. fragilis have been found to exert beneficial effects on the host. Therefore, our aim in this study was to review and summarize the role and metabolic status of B. fragilis in the body, focusing on its immunomodulatory and beneficial effects.