Immunomodulatory potential of vegetables vis-à- vis human health

Abstract

Reorientation of life style becomes necessary for staying healthy, especially during the challenging times as it is prevailing at present. Consumption of ample plant-based foods like vegetables could be an important step towards it. However, certain vegetables hold more significance as they boost immunity. Daily intake of vegetables with immunomodulation properties (modification of the immune response or the functioning of the immune system) seems promising. The immunomodulatory properties of these vegetables are attributed to the presence of certain phytoconstituents like polysachharides (e.g. RG-I in bell pepper; CMDP-4b in pumpkin; MOP-3 in drumstick), lectins (ASA I & ASA II in garlic; BOL in cauliflower), isothiocynates (Sulforaphane in broccoli), unsaturated fatty acids (pumpkin seeds), bryonolic acid (acorn squash), ribosomes inactivating protein (Lagenin in bottle gourd), glycoprotein (Luffaculin in ridge gourd), trypsin inhibitor (MoFTI in drumsticks) etc. The aim of this review is to highlight results of work done on immunomodulatory activity of vegetables. The roles of various vegetables and their phytoconstituents, which are accountable for immunomodulation and reduction in the risk of infectious as well as non-communicable diseases, have been discussed. Such information may be encouraging for researchers to carry out further advanced research on vegetables with potential immunomodulatory properties.