REVIEW:ANTIVIRAL AND IMMUNOMODULATORY PROPERTIES OF NUTRACEUTICALS AND HERBS

The antiviral activities of plant extracts have been renewed and have been the topic of passionatescientific investigation. Several medicinal plant extracts have shown antiviral activities against some RNA and DNA viruses. Therefore, extracts of plants and phytochemicals are getting more importance as potential sources for viral inhibitors during the recent decade. Extensive studies have shown that medicinal plants of several parts of the world contain compounds active against viruses that cause human diseases. Regarding nutraceuticals, many single and combined products have showneffectiveness in enhancing immunity in viral infections including influenza. Depending on the availability; many nutraceuticals can be used to enhance immunity.All the significant findings have been compiled and published in the literature, and the data were analysed critically to provide perspectives and directions for its synergistic use in different combinations or as a single ingredient for the formulation of novel immunomodulating agents. Extensive experimental and preclinical studies on the immunomodulating potential of all herbs and Nutraceuticals should be carried out to provide sufficient data to prove that their traditional uses are inherently effective and safe and will allow clinical trials to be pursued for their further development as therapeutic agents to treat immune-related disorders.