Shaping the gut microbiota by bioactive phytochemicals: An emerging approach for the prevention and treatment of human diseases

The human digestive tract is the cottage to trillions of live microorganisms, which regulate health and illness. A healthy Gut Microbiota (GM) is necessary for preventing microbial growth, body growth, obesity, cancer, diabetes, and enhancing immunity. The equilibrium in GM's composition and the presence/absence of critical species enable specific responses to be essential for the host's better health condition. Research evidences revealed that the dietary plants and their bioactive phytochemicals (BPs) play an extensive and critical role in shaping the GM to get beneficial health effects. BPs are also known to improve gastrointestinal health and reduce the risk of several diseases by modulating GM-mediated cellular and molecular processes. Regular intake of BPs-rich vegetables, fruits, and herbal preparations promotes probiotic bacteria, including Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus species, while inhibiting unwanted gut residents' development Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhimurium etc. Upon consumption, BPs contact the GM that gets transformed before being absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Biotransformation of BPs by GM is linked with the enhancement of bioactivity/toxicity diminishment of the BPs compared to parental phytochemicals. Therefore, the current review focuses on the role of BPs in shaping GM for the prevention and treatment of human diseases. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Automated summary

A healthy gut microbiota is essential for overall health, and dietary plants containing bioactive phytochemicals play a critical role in shaping the gut microbiota. These phytochemicals improve gastrointestinal health, reduce the risk of diseases, and modulate cellular and molecular processes mediated by the gut microbiota. Regular consumption of bioactive phytochemical-rich foods promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibits the development of harmful bacteria, while the gut microbiota transforms these phytochemicals, enhancing their bioactivity and reducing toxicity.