Plant-based Immunomodulators and Their Potential Therapeutic Actions

Abstract

Immunomodulation is a diverse process by which immunomodulators enhance or suppress immune responses to control disease progression. Immunomodulators are a broad class of drugs that include immunosuppressants and immunostimulants. These agents have been used to fight against the dysregulated immune responses observed during tissue/organ transplantation and disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, and cancers. Immunomodulators obtained from a myriad of plant sources are a major class of compounds that are known to have medicinal properties and are used for the treatment of various diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying the action of plant-derived compounds are poorly understood. Here, we discuss the major classes of plantbased immunomodulators with examples and their effects on the major signaling pathways, such as the nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and mammalian target of rapamycin pathways. Importantly, we discuss the preclinical and clinical research to date to understand the importance of these immunomodulators. Overall, this review highlights the significance of plantbased immunomodulators as an alternative therapeutic strategy for combating various diseases.

Terminalia brownii Fresen: Stem Bark Dichloromethane Extract Alleviates Pyrogallol‐Induced Suppression of Innate Immune Responses in Swiss Albino Mice

“…Tis is due to their diverse biological activities, fewer side efects, easy availability, and afordability [9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. Numerous phytochemicals have been approved for clinical trials, and others, including quercetin and resveratrol, among others, have undergone rigorous clinical trials [16]. Te most recent achievement in this feld is the approval of an immunomodulator, colchicine, an alkaloid isolated from Colchicum autumnale, by the Federal Drug Administration in 2009 for treating acute gout fares and Familial Mediterranean fever [16].…”

“…Numerous phytochemicals have been approved for clinical trials, and others, including quercetin and resveratrol, among others, have undergone rigorous clinical trials [16]. Te most recent achievement in this feld is the approval of an immunomodulator, colchicine, an alkaloid isolated from Colchicum autumnale, by the Federal Drug Administration in 2009 for treating acute gout fares and Familial Mediterranean fever [16]. Several Terminalia species, including T. arjuna, T. bellirica, T. catappa, and T. chebula, modulate immune responses [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27].…”

Immunostimulant Activity of Hantap (Sterculia Coccinea Jack) Leaves Extract on Non-Specific and Spesific Immune Responses

“…Immunomodulators are additionally employed to rectify immune responses that are characterized by imbalances. Numerous synthetic immunomodulatory drugs have been discovered; however, their clinical efficacy has been hindered by challenges related to absorption, stability, and significant adverse effects [10]. Therefore, it is essential to create novel immunomodulators with minimal to no adverse effects to treat immune-related disorders.…”