6.2.2.2 Based on Molecular Weight
Based on the molecular weight, immunomodulators are classified into low
molecular weight and high molecular weight compounds, both exhibiting
immunostimulatory properties.
6.2.3 Low Molecular Weight Immunomodulators
Several low molecular weight compounds have been reported for immunomodulatory properties. Alkaloids, Aristolochic acid obtained from the plant Aristolochia
clematitis exhibited immunostimulatory property. Aristolochic acid enhanced the
phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages and leukocytes, but due to its carcinogenic property, its use as an immunostimulant is limited. Other bioactive
immunostimulatory alkaloids obtained from Actinidia macrosperma, Cissampelos
pareira, Achillea millefolium, and Murraya koenigii. Cepharanthine isolated from
Stephania cepharantha and Vincristine from Catharanthus roseus stimulate the
production of antibodies. Cepharanthine also counteracts the effect of cytostatic
agents on hematopoiesis. Lower molecular weight compounds like Vincristine and
Staurosporine show immunomodulation in a dose-dependent manner, lower doses
used as an immunostimulant while higher doses used as an immunosuppressor. The
alkaloids isolated from Uncaria tomentosa increased the number of granulocytes.
A beta-carboline indole alkaloid harmine, isolated from Ophiorrhiza nicobarica,
inhibits lysine-specific demethylase-1 during immediate-early transcription of herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and 2 in-vitro and diseased animal. The interference on
early transcription, a decisive factor for HSV lytic cycle or latency, reveals an
epigenetic target that may help to develop a nonnucleoside antiherpesvirus drug.
Thiosulfinate obtained from Allium hirtifolium are potent adaptogens and
immunomodulators. Naphthoquinones also showed similar effects on lymphocytes
and granulocytes. Plumbagin, a quinoid compound isolated from the roots of
Plumbago zeylanica, reported for inhibitory action on the growth of
hormone-refractory prostate cancers and restrict the growth of Staphylococcus
aureus. Terpenes and its oxygenated derivatives terpenoids, like Amyrine from
Bauhinia variegata Eugenol from Ocimum sanctum, a diterpene from
Andrographis paniculata, Achillea millefolium, Alternanthera tenella and pentacyclic triterpene from Cecropia telenitida showed immunomodulatory activity. The
sapogenins triterpenoids and diterpenoids from Gymnema sylvestre have diverse
immunomodulatory potentials. Immunostimulatory phorbol esters (derivatives of
tetracyclic diterpenoids phorbol) shoed anticancer properties at lower doses.
Cichoric acid isolated from Echinacea purpurea activated phagocytic cells both
in-vitro and in-vivo (Nair et al. 2019).
Plant-derived glycosidase yields sugar on acid or enzymatic hydrolysis. These
include iridoid glycosides of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora and anthraquinone glycosides of Andrographis paniculata. The Chinese medicinal plant Dendrobium
222
V. K. Gurjar and D. Pal
Based on the molecular weight, immunomodulators are classified into low
molecular weight and high molecular weight compounds, both exhibiting
immunostimulatory properties.
6.2.3 Low Molecular Weight Immunomodulators
Several low molecular weight compounds have been reported for immunomodulatory properties. Alkaloids, Aristolochic acid obtained from the plant Aristolochia
clematitis exhibited immunostimulatory property. Aristolochic acid enhanced the
phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages and leukocytes, but due to its carcinogenic property, its use as an immunostimulant is limited. Other bioactive
immunostimulatory alkaloids obtained from Actinidia macrosperma, Cissampelos
pareira, Achillea millefolium, and Murraya koenigii. Cepharanthine isolated from
Stephania cepharantha and Vincristine from Catharanthus roseus stimulate the
production of antibodies. Cepharanthine also counteracts the effect of cytostatic
agents on hematopoiesis. Lower molecular weight compounds like Vincristine and
Staurosporine show immunomodulation in a dose-dependent manner, lower doses
used as an immunostimulant while higher doses used as an immunosuppressor. The
alkaloids isolated from Uncaria tomentosa increased the number of granulocytes.
A beta-carboline indole alkaloid harmine, isolated from Ophiorrhiza nicobarica,
inhibits lysine-specific demethylase-1 during immediate-early transcription of herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and 2 in-vitro and diseased animal. The interference on
early transcription, a decisive factor for HSV lytic cycle or latency, reveals an
epigenetic target that may help to develop a nonnucleoside antiherpesvirus drug.
Thiosulfinate obtained from Allium hirtifolium are potent adaptogens and
immunomodulators. Naphthoquinones also showed similar effects on lymphocytes
and granulocytes. Plumbagin, a quinoid compound isolated from the roots of
Plumbago zeylanica, reported for inhibitory action on the growth of
hormone-refractory prostate cancers and restrict the growth of Staphylococcus
aureus. Terpenes and its oxygenated derivatives terpenoids, like Amyrine from
Bauhinia variegata Eugenol from Ocimum sanctum, a diterpene from
Andrographis paniculata, Achillea millefolium, Alternanthera tenella and pentacyclic triterpene from Cecropia telenitida showed immunomodulatory activity. The
sapogenins triterpenoids and diterpenoids from Gymnema sylvestre have diverse
immunomodulatory potentials. Immunostimulatory phorbol esters (derivatives of
tetracyclic diterpenoids phorbol) shoed anticancer properties at lower doses.
Cichoric acid isolated from Echinacea purpurea activated phagocytic cells both
in-vitro and in-vivo (Nair et al. 2019).
Plant-derived glycosidase yields sugar on acid or enzymatic hydrolysis. These
include iridoid glycosides of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora and anthraquinone glycosides of Andrographis paniculata. The Chinese medicinal plant Dendrobium
222
V. K. Gurjar and D. Pal