Effects of enteric Prevotella on host health and disease: An overview of its double-edged roles and future perspectives

Prevotella is a common genus in the gut of humans that affects the host by breaking down proteins and carbohydrates, and its abundance and structural composition are related to the host's specific dietary choices. As a type of intestinal microorganism, Prevotella is closely related to the health and disease of the host and has significant effects on immunity, the intestinal barrier, and metabolism. Therefore, specific strains of Prevotella are considered promising candidates for next-generation probiotic strains. However, given the significant functional heterogeneity within the genus and the potential pathogenicity of some species, rigorous strain-specific safety and efficacy evaluations are imperative before any clinical application. However, Prevotella has not been widely developed or applied due to the immaturity of culture technology, insufficient mechanistic research, and a lack of safety evaluation. This review describes the discovery history, classification, and physiological functions of enteric Prevotella , and objectively evaluates its safety. Based on this, it is possible to influence host health through targeted regulation of Prevotella by dietary factors and to lay a foundation for developing Prevotella and further exploring potential probiotic resources.