Gut Microbiota Modulation: Probiotics, Postbiotics and Other Bioactive Compounds—2nd Edition
A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 January 2026 | Viewed by 39
Special Issue Editors
Interests: gut microbiota; immune system; nutrition respiratory health
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: food and nutrition; natural food probiotics; gut health and homeostasis; antimicrobial properties of natural products; food conservation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
After the success of our previous Special Issue, we are pleased to announce a second edition dedicated to the modulation of gut microbiota through probiotics, postbiotics and other emerging bioactive compounds.
The gut microbiota is recognised as a central modulator of immune, metabolic and neurological functions, with significant implications for the prevention and management of chronic diseases. There is growing evidence that microbial metabolites produced in the gut exert systemic effects via the gut–organ axis, influencing the functions of the brain, lung, skin, liver, pancreas, and other extraintestinal organs. This bidirectional communication occurs through neural, endocrine, immune and metabolic pathways and is essential to maintaining homeostasis and preventing inflammation-driven disorders. Understanding and modulating this cross-talk through diet, bioactives and microbial strategies opens new therapeutic avenues in both physical and mental health.
The modulation of gut microbiota and its widespread impact on health were clearly demonstrated in the first edition of this Special Issue, which brought together studies on the safety and functionality of Enterococcus faecalis EF-2001 as a probiotic and postbiotic, the influence of dietary boron on microbial composition, and the modulatory effects of solubilized sturgeon oil on gut balance and hair growth. Additional contributions explored essential oil–probiotic combinations in alleviating SIBO, the role of Bifidobacterium breve in improving glycaemic control, and comprehensive reviews addressing the modulatory effect of berberine on gut microbiota and its anti-inflammatory properties, the interplay between microbiota and cancer therapies and the role of the gut–brain axis in anxiety and depression.
Beyond traditional probiotics, new concepts such as psychobiotics, paraprobiotics, postbiotics and fermentation-derived compounds have gained increasing attention. This Special Issue welcomes original research, reviews, short communications and clinical trial results that contribute to this rapidly evolving field.
Topics of interest include but are not limited to
- The discovery of novel probiotic and postbiotic candidates;
- Prebiotics, psychobiotics and paraprobiotics: mechanisms and clinical evidence;
- Microbial metabolites and bioactive compounds from fermented foods as modulators of gut microbiota;
- The effects of microbial modulation on immune and inflammatory pathways;
- Safety and regulatory frameworks for the use of probiotics;
- Dietary strategies to restore microbial homeostasis;
- Clinical and translational studies on microbiota-based therapies.
Dr. Inês Brandão
Dr. Christophe Ruis Espírito Santo
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- gut microbiota
- bioactive compounds
- immune system
- nutrition respiratory health
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
