Advanced approaches to immunomodulation in clinical practice: Analysis of dietary supplements and medicines
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63341/bmbr/3.2025.92Keywords:
inflammatory process, cytokines, macrophages, lymphocytes, interleukins, bioactive compounds, infectionsAbstract
The purpose of the study was to establish the immunomodulatory properties of herbal remedies and the prospects for their clinical implementation. The methodology was based on a theoretical and analytical generalisation of literature data on the immunomodulatory properties of preparations “Immunormalin”, “Immunal”, Asian ginseng, ginkgo biloba, common marigold, and shiitake mushrooms. The results of the analysis showed that “Immunormalin” was marked by a wide range of mechanisms, combining antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, prebiotic, and sedative effects, which simultaneously covered immune, metabolic, and neuroendocrine pathways. This multifactorial nature distinguished it from more highly specialised products and determined a special position among nutraceuticals. In contrast, “Immunal”, created based on Echinacea purpurea, demonstrated a directed immunomodulatory mechanism through the activation of macrophages and T-lymphocytes, which made it mainly effective in the prevention of respiratory infections. Asian ginseng combined the properties of an adaptogen and an immunomodulator, causing increased resistance of the body to infections and the formation of antitumour potential. Ginkgo biloba, sharing an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect with ginseng, had an additional vascular-regulating effect, which expanded its use in chronic pathologies and complex therapy of metabolic syndromes. Calendula officinalis showed the most pronounced anti-inflammatory profile among the compared agents, since it suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and stimulated the secretion of anti-inflammatory mediators, which reduced the risk of tissue damage in long-term inflammatory processes. Shiitake mushrooms, due to their beta-glucan content, acted as natural adjuvants, enhancing the cellular immune response and combining antiviral and antitumour activity. Generalisation of the results showed that natural immunomodulators have a common antioxidant effect, but differ in multifactorial and clinical orientation, which determines the need for standardisation and differentiated use. The results obtained can be used by clinicians, pharmacologists and researchers in the field of evidence-based herbal medicine to optimise the selection of immunomodulatory agents and develop standardised approaches to their use
Received: 16.04.2025 | Revised: 11.07.2025 | Accepted: 02.09.2025
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