Exploring the potential of probiotics in mercury detoxification: a systematic review

• Probiotics have numerous health benefits for the human body body if consumed in appropriate amounts. • Probiotics showed defensive role in alleviating mercury toxicity. • Probiotics substantialy decreases tissue mercury bioaccumulation and restored antioxidant enzyme activity Mercury is a very toxic heavy metal that inflicts neurological, reproductive, and metabolic harm, yet current chelation therapies are constrained in both safety and efficacy. This study assesses the effectiveness of probiotics as a biotherapeutic strategy for mercury detoxification. Probiotics protect by physically sequestering mercury through cell wall components, enhancing antioxidant defenses via the Nrf2/Keap1-ARE signaling pathway, modulating inflammatory responses by downregulating the NF-κB and MAPK pathways, and maintaining intestinal barrier integrity. Translational findings suggest that probiotic therapies may function as economical and culturally acceptable dietary options for mitigating mercury exposure, especially in populations vulnerable due to contaminated food or environmental factors. Research from in vitro models, animal studies, and initial human trials suggests that strains such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Bacillus can bind to and sequester mercury in the gastrointestinal tract, enhance its fecal excretion, convert it into less toxic forms, and restore antioxidant, immune, and intestinal functions. Despite initial encouraging outcomes, extensive clinical studies and the selection of specific strains are necessary to substantiate probiotics as a viable therapeutic strategy for mercury detoxification. This study suggests that probiotics are a safe, sustainable, and promising approach to mitigating mercury toxicity; however, additional clinical validation and strain-specific modifications are necessary.