Immunomodulatory leads from medicinal plants

Immunomodulation 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.