07-07-2012, 11:31 AM
PLANTS USED AS IMMUNOMODULATOR
PLANTS USED AS IMMUNOMODULATOR.docx (Size: 138.36 KB / Downloads: 111)
INTRODUCTION
Definition:-
Immunomodulatory agents of plant and animal origin increase the immune responsiveness of the body against pathogens by activating the non-specific immune system. However, there is a need to subject such medicinal plants to systemic studies to substantiate the therapeutic claims made with regard to their clinical utility.
What is an immunomodulator?
An immunomodulator is any substance that helps to regulate the immune system. This "regulation" is a normalisation process, so that an immunomodulator helps to optimise immune response. Give an immunomodulator to someone with a low immune system, and it can help raise that immunity; give a modulator to someone with a healthy immune system, and it will have little effect in the body; and give a modulator to someone with an overactive immune system, and can help to normalize that overactive immune system.
So immunomodulators do not tend to boost immunity, but to normalize it. This is why, looking at some of the research data on Biobran MGN-3, you will notice that those with stronger immune systems got relatively less immunomodulation with the product than those with weak immune systems.
How do they work in the body?
How immunomodulators work in the body is still largely a mystery. Part of their benefit appears to be their ability to naturally increase the body's production of messenger molecules, such as cytokines, which mediate and regulate the immune system. Some of them, like Biobran, can also decrease the production of inflammatory cytokines. Overall, the effect is a more efficient immune system.
Most people using substances like Biobran MGN-3 do so because they have low immune systems. Increasing cytokine production in this case can significantly help raise the immune response. This site focuses, therefore, on the effect of immunomodulators in helping to increase immune function.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms
The symptoms of Addison's disease develop insidiously, and it may take some time to be recognised. The most common symptoms are fatigue, lightheadedness upon standing or while upright, muscle weakness, fever, weight loss, difficulty in standing up, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, sweating, changes in mood and personality, and joint and muscle pains. Some have marked cravings for salt or salty foods due to the urinary losses of sodium.[1] Increased tanning may be noted, particularly in sun-exposed areas, as well as darkening of the palmar creases, sites of friction, recent scars, the vermilion border of the lips, and genital skin.[3] This is not encountered in secondary and tertiary hypoadrenalism.[2]
Discussion
Immunomodulatory agents of plant and animal origin increase the immune responsiveness of the body against pathogens by activating the non-specific immune system. However, there is a need to subject such medicinal plants to systemic studies to substantiate the therapeutic claims made with regard to their clinical utility. [11]
In the present study, the isolated compound of R. communis leaves significantly increased the phagocytic function of human neutrophils when compared to control, indicating the possible immunostimulating effect.