Evaluation of Immunomodulatory Effect: Selection of the Correct Targets for Immunostimulation Study

Abstract

Problem statement: Numerous plants or remedies that are traditionally used for various diseases had been claimed to maintain general good health, particularly the immune system. With the advanced understanding on immunology and ethnopharmacology, study on the interaction of this herb with the immune system is critical to understand the safety and its efficacy as a potent immunomodulatory agent. Approach: Selecting proper immune cells from a suitable immune organ allowed for the understanding on the mode of immunomodulation. Lymphocytes isolated from mammalian thymus, spleen and bone marrow represented great candidates for this immunomodulatory study. Results: A number of herbal extracts including that of Rhaphidophora korthalsii and compounds isolated from this plant, namely lectin and zerumbone, had been identified as potent immunostimulators. Conclusion/Recommendations: Future studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism underlaying activites of these immunomodulatory agents.

Evaluation of the immunomodulatory effects of a South African commercial traditional immune booster in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

“…PHA, a lectin isolated from red kidney bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ), primarily stimulates T cell proliferation and it has a slight effect on B cells. This lectin stimulate blastogenesis of T lymphocytes by interaction with CD2 to stimulate the production of IL-2 and IFN-γ [10]. For this study it was observed through repeated stimulation of PBMCs that proliferative effect of PHA normally peaks after 48 h of stimulation.…”

“…This may provide a possible explanation for the observed pro- and anti-inflammatory effects of by uMakhonya® doses under different physiological stimuli. The potential uses of immunomodulators in clinical medicine include treatment of immunodeficiency caused by AIDS and suppression of immune response in autoimmune disease [10]. …”

“…Numerous in vitro methods have been developed to evaluate the modes of action of these potential immunomodulators [9]. Selection of proper immune cells from suitable immune organs allows for the understanding of the mode of action of immunomodulation [10]. …”

Mature leaf concentrate of Sri Lankan wild type Carica papaya Linn. modulates nonfunctional and functional immune responses of rats

“…Plant mitogens such as lectins are glycoproteins that nonspecifically bind to cell surfaces and stimulate cells to undergo mitosis [37]. However, these are selective in triggering T or B cell populations.…”

The Immune Effects of an African Traditional Energy Tonic in In Vitro and In Vivo Models

“…PHA has been shown to stimulate T cell proliferation and minimal activity on B cells. The resulting activation of T lymphocytes via interaction with CD2 stimulates the production of IL-2 and IFN- γ [21]. As observed in previous studies using similar models, the proliferative effect of PHA normally peaks after 48 hours of stimulation [22].…”