Immunomodulators: Chemistry and Analytical Techniques

Immunomodulators are substances that either enhance or suppress the immunity of the host. Immunomodulators have been used for ages in Ayurvedic Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine. In the surge of modern medicine, many chemically derived substances are used as immunomodulators. Historically, plants present a rich source of these therapeutic agents. Researchers have used these lead structures for exploring the underlying mechanisms of immunomodulation so that newer, safer agents can be designed and used clinically. Microbial sources have also been tried in search of immunomodulators. Chemically, these are a diverse group of substances that act on varied signaling pathways to cause immunomodulation. The involvement of the immune system in many diseases and disorders makes these agents essential in the treatment of these diseases, e.g., cancer. This chapter discusses the chemistry of a selected few commonly known plant-derived immunomodulators along with their biological evaluation methods and provides a broad overview of their therapeutic potential with particular emphasis on the mechanism of immunomodulation.