species as probiotics: potentials and challenges.

species, as a predominant cluster of commensal bacteria in our gut, exert lots of salutary effects on our intestinal homeostasis. Up to now, species have been reported to attenuate inflammation and allergic diseases effectively owing to their distinctive biological activities. Their cellular components and metabolites, like butyrate, secondary bile acids and indolepropionic acid, play a probiotic role primarily through energizing intestinal epithelial cells, strengthening intestinal barrier and interacting with immune system. In turn, our diets and physical state of body can shape unique pattern of species in gut. In view of their salutary performances, species have a huge potential as probiotics. However, there are still some nonnegligible risks and challenges in approaching application of them. Given this, this review summarized the researches involved in benefits and potential risks of species to our health, in order to develop species as novel probiotics for human health and animal production.