Postbiotics in Human Health: Mechanisms, Therapeutic Applications, and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Postbiotics represent a paradigm shift in microbiome-based therapeutics, offering the functional benefits of probiotics without the challenges associated with live microorganism administration. Defined by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) as "preparations of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confer a health benefit on the host," postbiotics encompass a diverse array of bioactive compounds including cell wall components, metabolites, short-chain fatty acids, bacteriocins, and extracellular vesicles. This review synthesizes current evidence on the mechanisms through which postbiotics modulate host physiology, their therapeutic applications across various disease states, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for clinical translation. Emerging evidence supports their efficacy in gastrointestinal disorders, metabolic diseases, immune modulation, and beyond, while their superior stability, safety profile, and standardization potential position them as attractive candidates for next-generation biotherapeutics.