Probiotics, known to be live microorganisms, have been shown to improve or restore the gut microbiota, which in turn has been linked to improved health. It is believed that probiotics are the modern equivalent of a panacea, with claims that they may treat or prevent different diseases both in children and adults (e.g., from colic in babies to cardiovascular disease, respiratory infection, and cancer in adults). Ever since the early 2000s, probiotic-based fermented foods have had a resurgence in popularity, mostly due to claims made regarding their health benefits. Fermented foods have been associated with the prevention of irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance, gastroenteritis, and obesity, but also other conditions such as chronic diarrhea, allergies, dermatitis, and bacterial and viral infections, all of which are closely related to an unhealthy lifestyle. Recent and ongoing developments in microbiome/microbiota science have given us new research directions for probiotics. The new types, mechanisms, and applications studied so far, and those currently under study, have a great potential to change scientific understanding of probiotics’ nutritional applications and human health care. The expansion of fields related to the study of the microbiome and the involvement of probiotics in its improvement foreshadow an era of significant changes. An expanding range of candidate probiotic species is emerging that can address newly elucidated data-driven microbial niches and host targets. In the probiotic field, new variants of microbiome-modulating interventions are being developed, including prebiotics, symbiotics, postbiotics, microbial consortia, live biotherapeutic products, and genetically modified organisms, with renewed interest in polyphenols, fibers, and fermented foods to ensure human health. This manuscript aims to analyze recent, emerging, and anticipated trends in probiotics (sources, doses, mechanism of action, diseases for which probiotics are administered, side effects, and risks) and create a vision for the development of related areas of influence in the field.

Metal nanoparticles (NPs) have garnered considerable attention, due to their unique physicochemical properties, that render them promising candidates for various applications in medicine and industry. This article offers a comprehensive overview of the most recent advancements in the manufacturing, characterization, and biomedical utilization of metal NPs, with a primary focus on silver and gold NPs. Their potential as effective anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial agents, drug delivery systems, and imaging agents in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of disorders is reviewed. Moreover, their translation to therapeutic settings, and the issue of their inclusion in clinical trials, are assessed in light of over 30 clinical investigations that concentrate on administering either silver or gold NPs in conditions ranging from nosocomial infections to different types of cancers. This paper aims not only to examine the biocompatibility of nanomaterials but also to emphasize potential challenges that may limit their safe integration into healthcare practices. More than 100 nanomedicines are currently on the market, which justifies ongoing study into the use of nanomaterials in medicine. Overall, the present review aims to highlight the potential of silver and gold NPs as innovative and effective therapeutics in the field of biomedicine, citing some of their most relevant current applications.

The effectiveness and uses of chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs) in drug delivery systems are examined in this work. Important results include the improved drug encapsulating efficiency: CNPs showed up to 90% encapsulation for different therapeutic agents. Furthermore, the research shows that CNPs provide extended-release patterns, greatly enhancing medication bioavailability especially for hydrophobic compounds. One interesting outcome was the greater drug stability in acidic surroundings, which are common in the stomach, where CNPs turn into a gel and later inflate in the intestine where the drug is released. Moreover, CNPs showed a 2–3-fold improvement in the absorption of encapsulated pharmaceuticals relative to traditional formulations, therefore indicating their capacity to overcome the problems of low oral bioavailability. These nanoparticles’ pH-sensitive character produced a 50–70% increase in drug release at certain pH values, hence maximizing therapeutic results. Significantly less systemic toxicity was seen in the in vivo tests, and at therapeutic dosages there were no noted side effects. Histological study confirmed the biocompatibility and non-toxicity of CNPs, therefore attesting their fit for long-term usage. These results highlight the great potential of CNPs in providing effective, focused, continuous drug release, hence improving therapeutic effectiveness and patient compliance.

Nanoparticles (NPs) have revolutionized biomedical and pharmaceutical applications due to their unique physicochemical properties. However, their widespread use has raised concerns regarding their potential toxicity, particularly mediated by oxidative stress mechanisms. This redox imbalance, primarily driven by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), plays a central role in NP-induced toxicity, leading to cellular dysfunction, inflammation, apoptosis, and genotoxicity. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) have emerged as a powerful in vivo model for nanotoxicology, offering advantages such as genetic similarity to humans, rapid development, and optical transparency, allowing real-time monitoring of oxidative damage. This review synthesizes current findings on NP-induced oxidative stress in zebrafish, highlighting key toxicity mechanisms and case studies involving metallic (gold, silver, copper), metal oxide (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, iron oxide), polymeric, and lipid-based NPs. The influence of NP physicochemical properties, such as size, surface charge, and functionalization, on oxidative stress responses is explored. Additionally, experimental approaches used to assess ROS generation, antioxidant enzyme activity, and oxidative damage biomarkers in zebrafish models are examined. In addition to toxicity concerns, pharmaceutical applications of antioxidant-modified NPs are evaluated, particularly their potential in drug delivery, neuroprotection, and disease therapeutics. Notably, studies show that curcumin- and quercetin-loaded nanoparticles enhance antioxidant defense and reduce neurotoxicity in zebrafish models, demonstrating their promise in neuroprotective therapies. Furthermore, cerium oxide nanoparticles, which mimic catalase and SOD enzymatic activity, have shown significant efficacy in reducing ROS and protecting against oxidative damage. Challenges in zebrafish-based nanotoxicology, the need for standardized methodologies, and future directions for optimizing NP design to minimize oxidative stress-related risks are also discussed. By integrating insights from toxicity mechanisms, case studies, and pharmaceutical strategies, this review supports the development of safer and more effective nanoparticle-based therapies while addressing the challenges of oxidative stress-related toxicity.

Micronutrients and nutraceuticals play crucial roles in wound healing and tissue regeneration, supporting various physiological processes. This review aims to synthesize and evaluate the functions of various micronutrients and nutraceuticals, emphasizing the synergistic interactions among different nutrients that facilitate wound healing processes. A thorough literature review was performed using electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library, to identify molecular studies, animal models, randomized controlled trials, and observational human studies published up to January 2000. Two independent reviewers screened the articles, extracted data, and evaluated the Risk of Bias using the Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool for the 190 studies that met the inclusion criteria. Evidence suggests that bioactive compounds found in functional foods and dietary supplements can help prevent chronic conditions and promote wellness beyond basic nutrition. Vitamins A, C, and E, as well as minerals such as zinc, selenium, and iron, are essential for cell proliferation and the formation of new tissues. Additionally, nutraceuticals, including omega-3 fatty acids, glutamine, arginine, and polyphenols, exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which promote healing and reduce the risk of infection. Probiotics and other bioactive compounds in nutraceuticals contribute to maintaining the balance of microbiota, reducing inflammation, and stimulating cell regeneration. Significant variability was noted in study design, sample size, intervention dosage, and outcome measures. This evidence underscores the necessity for further well-designed clinical trials to determine the optimal dosages and combinations for specific wound types across diverse patient populations. This systematic review was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (ID: 1072091).

The area of functional drink is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world, be it that it is made from plant-based or non-dairy milk. Sea buckthorn syrup is a source of functional ingredients, with a large spectrum of healthy compounds. The study aimed to investigate the suitability of sea buckthorn syrup as a substrate for Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei (L. casei^® 431) and Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis (Bb-12^®) development and fermentation in vegetal soy drink and to evaluate the fermented product (at 30 and 37 °C) in terms of bacterial viability, pH, tithable acidity during fermentation and storage period, water holding capacity, antioxidant capacity, total phenolic contents, sensory analysis and in vitro bio-accessibility. During fermentation, a bacterial concentration around of 10⁹–10¹⁰ CFU·mL⁻¹ was found in the soy drink with sea buckthorn syrup and L. casei^® 431 and Bb-12^®. Antioxidant capacity significantly improved after the fermentation of the soy drinks. On the other hand, through the digestibility of the drinks, the bacterial viability significantly decreased for L. casei^® 431 and increased for Bb-12^®. Further investigation is required on the concentration of sea buckthorn syrup and probiotic encapsulation methods to comprehend the components responsible for the efficient delivery of bacteria across the gastrointestinal tract.