Mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes as novel modulators of gut microbiota: Therapeutic perspectives for liver diseases and inflammatory bowel disease.

Gastrointestinal (GI) diseases such as liver diseases and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have become a global economic burden due to their high prevalence, poor prognosis, and inadequacy of existing treatments. Consequently, it is essential to investigate innovative therapies for their management. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) have demonstrated significant potential in the treatment of these diseases. The occurrence and progression of GI disorders are significantly influenced by the gut microbiota (GM). Recently, MSCs and their Exos have been shown to efficiently regulate GM in several studies. However, the exact mechanisms involved and whether these effects can fully correct the dysbiosis required to improve GI disease symptoms remain to be clarified. This review highlights how microbial imbalance plays a role in the development of liver diseases and IBD, as well as the significance of GM in these conditions. The review also investigates the role of MSCs and their Exos in the treatment of both liver diseases and IBD. Interestingly, MSCs and their Exos play a major role in the treatment of these conditions by modulating the GM in several recent studies. These results suggest that using MSCs and their Exos to target the GM may be a promising future treatment strategy for GI disorders.