Open Access

REVIEW

Gut microbiome modulation: Ancillary effects of inorganic nanoparticles on gut microflora

by SEHRISH ABBAS¹, BUSHRA UZAIR^1,*, MAISRA AZHAR BUTT¹, FARID MENAA², BARKAT A. KHAN^3,*

1 Department of Biological Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
2 Department of Nanomedicine, California Innovations Corporation, San Diego, CA, 92037, USA
3 Drug Delivery and Cosmetics Lab (DDCL), GCPS, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, 29050, Pakistan

* Corresponding Authors: BUSHRA UZAIR. Email: ; BARKAT A. KHAN. Email:

BIOCELL 2023, 47(2), 245-260. https://doi.org/10.32604/biocell.2023.025311

Received 05 July 2022; Accepted 28 August 2022; Issue published 18 November 2022

Abstract

The association of gut microflora and human health is being increasingly recognized, and the impact of gut microflora on the host is well characterized, including the body’s energy metabolism and immune system maintenance. Several human diseases, including metabolic, autoimmune, obesity, hypothyroidism, and intestinal disorders, are closely associated with gut dysbiosis. Inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) are extensively utilized in numerous fields due to their distinctive, attractive physicochemical properties. Estimation of the potential impacts of NPs, with a high number of microorganisms inside the human body (microbiota) and its genomes (microbiome), represents one of the most important aspects of nano-toxicology. This review article aims to provide information on the association of gut microflora alterations to diseases and describe the impacts of various inorganic NPs, including silver, zinc, selenium, titania, silicon, and copper, on gut microflora. Research on the effect of inorganic NPs on gut microflora of animal models and the poultry industry is reviewed. The response of pathogenic Enterobacter species to inorganic NPs has been expounded in detail. This review also highlights the need to focus on the ancillary effects of various inorganic NPs on gut microflora to expedite the suitable advancement of these particles for future use. Finally, the key opportunistic areas for the application of nanotechnology are underlined to manipulate the microbiome of gut dysbiosis, provide an overview, and address potential challenges and our perspective on this evolving field.

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Graphic Abstract

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Keywords

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