The role of Lactobacillus in diseases and its intervention by Chinese herbs

Introduction: Lactobacilli are a group of Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the family Lactobacillaceae within the phylum Firmicutes. They colonize the intestinal tract and play a significant role in human health and disease treatment, serving irreplaceable functions in numerous disease domains. T...

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Main Authors: Hui Lai, Dongmei Yan, Jiarong Zhang, Bin Li, Fei Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667142525000831
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author Hui Lai
Dongmei Yan
Jiarong Zhang
Bin Li
Fei Li
author_facet Hui Lai
Dongmei Yan
Jiarong Zhang
Bin Li
Fei Li
author_sort Hui Lai
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Lactobacilli are a group of Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the family Lactobacillaceae within the phylum Firmicutes. They colonize the intestinal tract and play a significant role in human health and disease treatment, serving irreplaceable functions in numerous disease domains. These include intestinal diseases (such as inflammatory bowel disease, diarrhea, colorectal cancer, etc.), viral respiratory infections, type 2 diabetes-related periodontitis, and urinary system diseases (prevention of vaginal diseases and urinary tract infections). Aim of the Review: This review focuses on the mechanisms of action of lactobacilli in diseases, the regulatory effects of diet and Chinese herbal medicine, and summarizes the impacts of Chinese herbal medicine on lactobacilli. It aims to explain the relationships among diseases, lactobacilli, and Chinese herbal medicine, providing theoretical support for promoting the research and development of related products. Methods: Literature related to lactobacilli was collected by searching the academic databases PubMed and CNKI using keywords such as characteristics of lactobacilli, biological functions, metabolic pathways, roles in diseases, mechanisms of action, and regulation by Chinese herbal medicine. Results: Based on the collected literature, this review summarizes the characteristics, biological functions, metabolic pathways, roles in diseases, and mechanisms of action of lactobacilli, as well as the regulatory effects of diet, single Chinese herbal medicines, and Chinese herbal compound formulas on the abundance of lactobacilli. Discussion: Dietary and Chinese herbal medicine interventions significantly influence the growth and reproduction of intestinal lactobacilli. A high-protein diet and specific carbohydrates can regulate lactobacilli levels, but their specific mechanisms of action remain unclear. The molecular-level interactions with host cells and the signaling pathways under different disease states are not yet fully understood. Future research could deeply analyze the molecular-level interactions between lactobacilli and host cells, clarify the key signaling pathways activated or inhibited under different disease conditions, and provide a theoretical basis for precision treatment.
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spelling doaj-art-a9fe8aaa8c524e5baf37e6d60ecc272b2025-07-11T04:31:57ZengElsevierPharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine2667-14252025-09-0116100655The role of Lactobacillus in diseases and its intervention by Chinese herbsHui Lai0Dongmei Yan1Jiarong Zhang2Bin Li3Fei Li4Academician Workstation, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China; Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Laboratory of Hepato-intestinal Diseases and Metabolism, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, ChinaAcademician Workstation, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, China; Corresponding author at: Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.Academician Workstation, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, ChinaAcademician Workstation, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanchang 330004, ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Laboratory of Hepato-intestinal Diseases and Metabolism, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China; Corresponding author at: Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.Introduction: Lactobacilli are a group of Gram-positive bacteria belonging to the family Lactobacillaceae within the phylum Firmicutes. They colonize the intestinal tract and play a significant role in human health and disease treatment, serving irreplaceable functions in numerous disease domains. These include intestinal diseases (such as inflammatory bowel disease, diarrhea, colorectal cancer, etc.), viral respiratory infections, type 2 diabetes-related periodontitis, and urinary system diseases (prevention of vaginal diseases and urinary tract infections). Aim of the Review: This review focuses on the mechanisms of action of lactobacilli in diseases, the regulatory effects of diet and Chinese herbal medicine, and summarizes the impacts of Chinese herbal medicine on lactobacilli. It aims to explain the relationships among diseases, lactobacilli, and Chinese herbal medicine, providing theoretical support for promoting the research and development of related products. Methods: Literature related to lactobacilli was collected by searching the academic databases PubMed and CNKI using keywords such as characteristics of lactobacilli, biological functions, metabolic pathways, roles in diseases, mechanisms of action, and regulation by Chinese herbal medicine. Results: Based on the collected literature, this review summarizes the characteristics, biological functions, metabolic pathways, roles in diseases, and mechanisms of action of lactobacilli, as well as the regulatory effects of diet, single Chinese herbal medicines, and Chinese herbal compound formulas on the abundance of lactobacilli. Discussion: Dietary and Chinese herbal medicine interventions significantly influence the growth and reproduction of intestinal lactobacilli. A high-protein diet and specific carbohydrates can regulate lactobacilli levels, but their specific mechanisms of action remain unclear. The molecular-level interactions with host cells and the signaling pathways under different disease states are not yet fully understood. Future research could deeply analyze the molecular-level interactions between lactobacilli and host cells, clarify the key signaling pathways activated or inhibited under different disease conditions, and provide a theoretical basis for precision treatment.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667142525000831LactobacillusMechanismsDiet regulationChinese herbal intervention
spellingShingle Hui Lai
Dongmei Yan
Jiarong Zhang
Bin Li
Fei Li
The role of Lactobacillus in diseases and its intervention by Chinese herbs
Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine
Lactobacillus
Mechanisms
Diet regulation
Chinese herbal intervention
title The role of Lactobacillus in diseases and its intervention by Chinese herbs
title_full The role of Lactobacillus in diseases and its intervention by Chinese herbs
title_fullStr The role of Lactobacillus in diseases and its intervention by Chinese herbs
title_full_unstemmed The role of Lactobacillus in diseases and its intervention by Chinese herbs
title_short The role of Lactobacillus in diseases and its intervention by Chinese herbs
title_sort role of lactobacillus in diseases and its intervention by chinese herbs
topic Lactobacillus
Mechanisms
Diet regulation
Chinese herbal intervention
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667142525000831
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