Despite the popularity of the ginseng (Panax) root in health research and on the market, the ginseng berry’s potential remains relatively unexplored. Implementing ginseng berry cultivations and designing berry-derived products could improve the accessibility to mental health-promoting nutraceuticals. Indeed, the berry could have a higher concentration of neuroprotective and antidepressant compounds than the root, which has already been the subject of research demonstrating its efficacy in the context of neuroprotection and mental health. In this review, data on the berry’s application in supporting mental health via the gut–brain axis is compiled and discussed.

In this short review, the mechanisms through which the probiotic administration of non-pathogenic bacterium Rhodobacter Sphaeroides could contribute to human health in general, and more specifically, the treatment of ulcerative colitis, are explored. This review is built around the concept that the mitochondrion is the key player in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis, and proposes ways that the probiotic could contribute to a more optimal environment for mitochondrial functioning, namely through reduction of inflammation and production of beneficial compounds like ubiquinone and bacteria-derived carotenoids. It concludes with the current state of the research involving Rhodobacter Sphaeroides as a probiotic and suggests possible future directions.