Natural products, i.e. plant and fungal extracts and metabolites, have ignited interest due to their inherent immunomodulatory properties and potential uses in disease prevention and therapy. With a sophisticated network, the human immune system is delicately balanced, ready to respond to a myriad of pathogenic challenges. The application of these naturally occurring substances to modulate this system has shown promise in battling various health disorders.

The current state of knowledge on the application of natural products with immunomodulatory effects is the focus of this Research Topic. We further explore the intricate interactions between these natural products and the immune system, particularly in the context of treating chronic inflammation, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and cancer. Natural products with immunomodulatory effects represent fertile ground for innovative disease prevention and treatment approaches. As we continue to unravel the complexities of the immune response and its modulation by these natural products, we anticipate a future of safer and more effective therapies.

The complex interplay between natural products and the human immune system offers an excellent opportunity for the development of novel interventions against a broad spectrum of diseases. However, translating these potential benefits into tangible therapeutic outcomes remains elusive, attributed to several scientific and regulatory hurdles. Challenges include ensuring consistent and reliable bioactivity, elucidating precise mechanisms of action, establishing optimal dosing regimens, and deciphering the intricate landscape of regulatory requirements.

Moreover, other critical aspects requiring attention are the standardization of natural product preparations and the assessment of their long-term safety and efficacy in humans. Harnessing the immunomodulatory effects of natural products effectively necessitates a multidisciplinary approach. This involves rigorous chemical profiling and quality control measures for consistency, and mechanistic studies to understand how these agents interact with the immune system at molecular and cellular levels. We are also seeing the development of innovative formulation strategies and delivery systems to enhance bioavailability and target specificity.

The integration of natural products in disease prevention and treatment strategies for their immunomodulatory effects offers a fresh avenue for innovation in medicine. With continued research and collaborative efforts, it is plausible to unlock the full therapeutic potential of these naturally occurring immunomodulators.

We sincerely invite original research, reviews, case reports, and general commentary spanning subject areas such as:

• Insights into the theoretical underpinnings of the disease preventative and therapeutic roles of natural products with immunomodulatory effects.
• Investigations into the mechanisms at play where natural products with immunomodulatory effects prevent or treat diseases.
• Treatment strategies that combine natural products with immunomodulatory effects and existing clinical drugs for effective disease therapy.
• Evaluation of how natural products with immunomodulatory effects contribute to the concept of "One Health."
• Fundamental and translational research on extracts and metabolites derived from fungi, especially macro fungi, highlighting their potential role in immunomodulatory therapies.

Important Note:

All contributions to this Research Topic must follow the guideline listed in this section:
• The introduction should describe the background of the research object and provide bibliographical references that illustrate its recent application in general healthcare.
• Research-baseded solely on in silico approaches (e.g., network studies or docking experiments) does not fit with the scopes of this SI.
• Small molecules exhibiting in silico or in vitro effects but without specific pharmacological targets do not fit with the scopes of this SI.
• Chemical anti-oxidant assays like the DPPH or ABTS assay are of no pharmacological relevance, Therefore they can only be used a chemical-analytical assays without pharmacological claims.
• Please self-assess your MS using the ConPhyMP tool, and follow the standards established in the ConPhyMP statement Front. Pharmacol. 13:953205. All the manuscripts need to fully comply with the Four Pillars of Best Practice in Ethnopharmacology (you can freely download the full version here). Importantly, please ascertain that the ethnopharmacological context is clearly described (pillar 3d) and that the material investigated is characterized in detail (pillars 2 a and b).

Submit your idea

Impact

Frontiers in Pharmacology

Submit your idea

Impact