Heme oxygenase (HO) is the primary antioxidant enzyme involved in heme group degradation. A variety of stimuli triggers the expression of the inducible HO-1 isoform, which is modulated by its substrate and cellular stressors. A major anti-inflammatory role has been assigned to the HO-1 activity. Therefore, in recent years HO-1 induction has been employed as an approach to treating several disorders displaying some immune alterations components, such as exacerbated inflammation or self-reactivity. Many natural compounds have shown to be effective inductors of HO-1 without cytotoxic effects; among them, most are chemicals present in plants used as food, flavoring, and medicine. Here we discuss some naturally derived compounds involved in HO-1 induction, their impact in the immune response modulation, and the beneficial effect in diverse autoimmune disorders. We conclude that the use of some compounds from natural sources able to induce HO-1 is an attractive lifestyle toward promoting human health. This review opens a new outlook on the investigation of naturally derived HO-1 inducers, mainly concerning autoimmunity.Fil: Funes, Samanta Celeste. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Rios, Mariana. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Fernández Fierro, Ayleen. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Covián, Camila. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Bueno, Susan M.. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; ChileFil: Riedel, Claudia A.. Universidad Andrés Bello; ChileFil: Mackern Oberti, Juan Pablo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo; ArgentinaFil: Kalergis, Alexis M.. Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; Chil
