Age dependent phagocytosis of red cell membranes by the reticulohistiocytary system of the isolated perfused rat liver

Plant immunostimulants—Scientific paradigm or myth?

“…When researchers started to test aqueous or hydroethanolic plant extracts in immune cell cultures (i.e. in vitro), on many occasions they observed an activation and subsequent pro-inflammatory response (Gergely et al, 1973;Vomel, 1985;Zhang and Tizard, 1996;Chinou, 2005). However, in most studies on this topic, no adequate endotoxin controls were carried out, thus leaving open the question as to whether residual bacterial endotoxin contamination may have accounted for some of these effects Tamta et al, 2008).…”

“…Evidently, there are scientists in the field who do not accept the vague concept of "plant X as a general immunostimulant" and devote their research to asking serious questions about what part of the immune system is being stimulated, by what mechanism, and with what verifiable benefit to the body's defences. However, it needs to be emphasized that the concept of plant immunostimulants has almost exclusively originated from in vitro cell culture work, ex vivo preparations (Vomel, 1985), or from studies using direct systemic injections (see below), mainly based on activation of the innate immune system.…”