Autoimmune Diseases, Immune System and Herbal Medicine

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The immune system is a defense mechanism against infections and illnesses caused by various agents, including bacteria, viruses, and other causative factors. Any disruption in the functioning of the immune system, which is highly organized and precisely regulated, can result in the emergence of immune deficiencies, hypersensitivity reactions, or autoimmune diseases (AIDs). Under certain circumstances, the immune system generates autoantibodies that target their cells, giving rise to AIDs, including multiple sclerosis, type I diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, hashimoto thyroiditis, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, etc. In such cases, the immune system cannot differentiate between foreign substances and the body's own cells. Different factors, such as genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors, trigger autoimmunity. Currently, autoimmune diseases of various origins are managed using glucocorticoids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressive agents, and biological treatments. Nevertheless, a comprehensive cure for these conditions continues to remain beyond our reach. Numerous herbal natural products have been investigated as potential alternative approaches for the management of autoimmune disorders. In this introductory chapter, we summarized the essential concepts of the immune system, the formation, stages, and types of autoimmune diseases, and the role of herbal medicines in the management of AIDs.