Medical plants and probiotics are important in preserving health because they contain natural therapeutic values and balance of microbes. Plant-derived bioactive compounds when combined with probiotics increase their growth, stability and efficacy. Through this synergistic interaction there is sustainable, antibiotic-free way of enhancing gut health, immunity and productivity especially in the case of poultry nutrition. The current research examines the synergistic interaction between probiotics and medicinal plants and its role in the shortcomings of human health, disease prevention, and nutritional and therapeutic effects. Strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in particular are important in gut homeostasis, immune regulation and in the amelioration of oxidative stress. Their positive impacts have been extended in the management of diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, cystic fibrosis, colon cancer, skin diseases and obesity. Medicinal plants are also good sources of bioactive compounds, which include polyphenols, flavonoids, tannin and dietary fibre, and can be used as direct therapeutic agents, as well as natural prebiotics, which promote the growth and metabolic activity of probiotics. The joint action of the effects of plant-originated substances and probiotic organisms raises antioxidant potential, controls the metabolism of lipids and glucose, and improves the work of gastrointestinal and immune systems. Moreover, this synergistic mixture can provide a sustainable, non-toxic and cost-effective substitute of synthetic drugs and antibiotics, and has potential applications in human nutrition, functional foods, and medical management of poultry.
Mishra et al. (Fri,) studied this question.