A LITERATURE REVIEW: PSYCHOBIOTICS – A FUTURE PERSPECTIVE OR A FASHION TREND?

Objective. The growing interest in the gut-brain axis and increasing evidence suggesting that the gut microbiota may influence central nervous system function has led to the hypothesis that probiotic use could positively affect mood and psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Increasing preclinical and clinical studies have shown the positive effects of psychobiotic use in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety; however, the results of most clinical trials in humans are varied. The objective of this article was to conduct a literature review assessing current studies on psychobiotics effectiveness alleviating symptoms of depression anxiety and stress, effect on mood. After a comprehensive literature analysis, present an evaluation of psychobiotics as an alternative treatment for symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress.Methods. The literature for this review was performed using Pubmed database by entering keyword combinations. In this review only double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled human studies assessing mood, symptoms of perceived depression, anxiety and stress symptoms before and after supplementation with psychobiotic were included.Results. 22 studies met the inclusion criteria (6 on depression, 1 on anxiety, 1 on stress, 7 both on depression and anxiety, 4 on depression, anxiety and stress, 1 on depression and stress, 2 on mood), accounting for 1945 participants. The statistically significant improvement of depression and anxiety symptoms compared to placebo group was reported in ~3/5 (61,11%), ~3/5(58,33%) studies, respectively. A statistically significant relief of stress symptoms compared to the placebo group was not observed.Conclusions. Most of the studies support the benefits of probiotics in improving mood, alleviating anxiety, especially depression symptoms. The current evidence is insufficient to support the effectiveness of psychobiotics in alleviating stress symptoms and prebiotics effect on depression and anxiety symptoms. In the future probiotics could be considered as an alternative therapeutic option aimed at alleviating depression and anxiety symptoms.