Immunomodulatory Agents from Plants

摘要

Haman immune system is very closely linked to several diseases and the process of aging. Immunological dysfunctions in the aged are usually manifested as a decline in cellular immunity, deregulation of humaoral immunity or an increase in the positive rate of autoimmunity. Immunomodulators directly modify a specific immune function or have a net positive or negative effect on the activity of immune system. Recent advanced technologies are clarifying the important roles of immune functions in disease progression. Immune dysfunction may result infectious diseases and cancer, and hyper immune reactions may cause auto-immune diseases including allergy and rheumatoid arthrities. Thus, the development of an immune modifier, which stimulates necessary functions and suppresses unnecessary function, is highly desirable.