The properties and mechanism of action of plant immunomodulators in regulation of immune response – A narrative review focusing on Curcuma longa L., Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer and Moringa oleifera Lam
Authors
Muggunna Balasubramaniam
aSmall G protein Research Group, Bioprocess Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
Sarah Sapuan
bDepartment of Toxicology, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
Ilie Hashim
cDepartment of Clinical Medicine, Advanced Medical and Dental Institute, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 13200 Kepala Batas, Penang, Malaysia
Nurul Ismail
dSchool of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
Amira Yaakop
dSchool of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
Nur Kamaruzaman
eNational Poison Centre, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
Ana Mokhtar
aSmall G protein Research Group, Bioprocess Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
Keywords:
Traditional plants, Immunomodulation, Immunosuppression, Immunostimulation, Phytochemicals
Abstract
Herbal treatments have been utilized for millennia to cure a variety of ailments. There are over 20, 000 herbal remedies available to treat cancer and other disease in humans. In Ayurveda, traditional plants having revitalizing and nourishing characteristics are known as "Rasayanas." They have anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-microbicidal, antiviral, and immunomodulatory effects on the immune system. Immunomodulation is a mechanism through which the body stimulates, suppresses, or boosts the immune system to maintain homeostasis. Plant-derived immunomodulators are typically phytocompounds, including carbohydrates, phenolics, lipids, alkaloids, terpenoids, organosulfur, and nitrogen-containing chemicals. Immunomodulation activity of phytocompounds from traditional plants is primarily mediated through macrophage activation, phagocytosis stimulation, peritoneal macrophage stimulation, lymphoid cell stimulation, and suppression or enhancement of specific and non-specific cellular immune systems via numerous signalling pathways. Despite extensive research, the precise mechanism of immunomodulation of most traditional plants has not yet been fully elucidated, justifying the need for further experimentation. Therefore, this review describes the immunomodulatory agents from traditional plants such as Curcuma longa L., Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, and Moringa oleifera Lam, further highlighting the common molecular targets and immunomodulatory mechanism involved in eradicating diseases.
Keywords: Traditional plants, Immunomodulation, Immunosuppression, Immunostimulation, Phytochemicals
Author Biography
Ana Mokhtar, aSmall G protein Research Group, Bioprocess Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
fGreen Biopolymer Coating and Packaging Centre, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia
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