Immunomodulators: Role of medicinal plants in immune system

Abstract

A broad range of health-care practices is required to exploit the beneficial effects of Ayurveda, which is the most ancient system of medicines. Being the essence of Ayurvedic medicines, Indian medicinal plants manifest miraculous effects in curing a vast range of diseases and disorders among humans and can be better called as “elixirs of life.” Currently, there is much growing interest in the use of these medicinal plants as modulators of the complex immune system. Through a number of vast researches conducted in the area, it is being explored that many of the chemicals in the form of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, polysaccharides, lactones, and glycoside products are responsible to cause alterations in the immunomodulatory properties. Keeping in mind, the tremendous potential of the medicinal plants and their derived drugs, I am introducing this review with a purpose to globally popularize the Indian herbal medicines as immunomodulators.