Immunomodulators: a review of studies on Indian medicinal plants and synthetic peptides. Part - I: Medicinal plants

Abstract

In this review we have attempted to highlight the work on immunomodulators carried out in Indian laboratories including both plant extracts and synthetic peptides. The results for plant extracts are reviewed in part I of this review and synthetic peptides in part II. Various Indian plants which have the potential of immunomodulating activity are identified from various sources in the literature. Among these"14 have undergone in vitro and in vivo evalution, mostly in animals and to some extent in humans as well. While the leads are extremely promising for some of them such as Asparagus racemosus. Azadirachta indica, Curcuma longa, Ocimum sanctum, Panax ginseng, Picrorhiza kurroa, Tinospora cordifolia, Withania somnifera etc., considerable work remains to be done for the remainder plants.