Immunopotentiating significance of conventionally used plant adaptogens as modulators in biochemical and molecular signalling pathways in cell mediated processes.

ABSTRACT

Natural products are of great surge in the identification of chemopreventive agents and biologically active molecules for the development of new promising therapeutic agents. These agents influence the cascade of biochemical and molecular signalling pathways involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes. The natural agents combat the dogma associated with the most dreaded, unconquered health concern and a multigenic disease- cancer. A category of plants known as adaptogens maintain perturbed homoeostasis, augment adaptations to noxious stimuli (exposure to cold, heat, pain, general stress, infectious organisms) and offer endurance to attenuate several disorders in human beings. The well known adaptogens and immunomodulators such as Rhodiola rosea, Withania somnifera, Tinospora cordifolia, Bacopa monnieri, Emblica officinalis, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Asparagus racemosus, Ocimum sanctum and Panax notoginseng claimed to have significant antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties due to the presence of various biologically active chemical compounds. Their immunopotentiating activity is mediated through the modulation of T-cell immunity biochemical factors, transcription factors, some genes and factors associated with tumor development and progression. The combinatory formulation of active immunostimulating constituents from these plants may provide better homeostasis. These immunostimulant factors suggest their potential therapeutic significance in adjuvant or supportive therapy in cancer treatment.