Immunomodulatory Herbs & Fruits: A Comprehensive Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53555/ejac.v19i1.1110Keywords:
Immune system, Immunomodulator medications, Unani literature, Demand for immune-boosting foods, Naturally occurring fruits, Bioactive components, Phytochemical functionsAbstract
The immune system, the body's defensive mechanism, protects the host from disease invasion. Immune system dysfunction is the root cause of many diseases, including allergies, asthma, arthritis, cancer, and other infectious disorders. Age-related changes in the immune system increase an older person's susceptibility to infections, vaccination failure, and possibly even autoimmunity and cancer. Immunomodulator medications boost the immune system's capacity to fight infections on both a specific and non-specific level. In Unani literature, numerous herbs with immunomodulatory qualities are mentioned as means of enhancing mental and physical well-being. Leucocytes, also known as white blood cells, are vital to the immune system because they may produce antibodies that fight a range of diseases that lead to illness. Individuals are now conscious of how the immune system is essential to preserving their well-being.
Thus, there has been a significant rise in the demand for foods that boost immunity. Naturally occurring fruits are often employed as immunomodulators; rigorous scientific evidence is all that is needed to support their efficacy. Fruits are rich in bioactive components, such as minerals, vitamins (A, C, E, etc.), and phytochemicals (β-carotene, flavonoids, tannins, and phenolics, etc.), as several studies have shown. By encouraging lymphocyte development, scavenging free radical species, reducing oxidative stress, and boosting anti-inflammatory in addition to immunomodulatory mechanisms and platelet aggregation support, these substances have the potential to boost human immunity. Thus, regularly including the appropriate number of fruits in our diet could strengthen our immune system and support our the body's organic defenses. In this prelude, we attempt to summarize the significant role that fruits' many phytochemicals and bioactive compounds play in bolstering our immune system.
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