235-256Immunomodulation is the alteration of immune
response which may increase or decrease the immune responsiveness. Medicinal
plants, since times immemorial, have been used virtually in all cultures as a
source of medicine for altering the immune systems. Several medicinal plants
have been investigated for immunomodulatory potentials and they are proved to
have beneficial effect on alteration of immune system by diverse mechanisms in
animals. The present review will provide an up to date knowledge about the
medicinal plants used as immunomodulators and their phytoconstituents. This
article highlights on the phytochemistry, pharmacology, therapeutic usage and related
aspects of 55 medicinal plants, such as Allium sativum, Aloe vera,
Andrographis paniculata, Azadirachta indica, Boerhaavia diffusa, Boswellia
serrata, Curcuma longa, Centella asiatica, Carica papaya, Datura quercifolia,
Emblica officinalis, Hydrastis Canadensis, Hypericum perforatum, Ocimum
sanctum, Panax ginseng, Plantago major, Plantago asiatica, Piper longum,
Tinospora cordifolia, Mangifera indica, Momordica charantia, Withania
somnifera, etc. which have been investigated for their
immunomodulatory potentials, and they are proved to acquire beneficial effect
on alteration of immune system by diverse mechanisms. Thus an approach for integration of the available
information on several species of medicinal plants used as immunomodulators
along with the metabolites responsible for the same has been made in this
article.
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