Immunomodulator Drugs in Unani Medicine: Evidence from Preclinical and Clinical Research

The immune system is one of our most intricate biological systems, maintaining bodily homeostasis. Substances that modulate the immune responses are called immunomodulators. In Unani system of medicine (USM), immunity is referred to as Quwate-Mudafia, which is part of Quwa and is maintained by Tabiyat. In Unani literature, many single drugs and formulations have been used for their immunomodulatory effect, apart from other therapeutic properties. Single Unani drugs with established immunomodulatory activity are Gilo (Tinospora cordifolia), Sibr (<i>Aloe vera</i>), Asgandh (<i>Withania somnifera</i>), Aamla (<i>Emblica officinalis</i>) etc. Compound formulations are Jawarish Amla sada, Iksir-e-badan, etc. We are living in the age of evermutating influenza viruses giving challenges to mankind (such as the recently prevailed SARSCoV- 2 pandemic); many Unani medicinal plants are still unexplored and need to be evaluated for their immunomodulatory property, which can act as substitutes for conventional drugs. To compile Unani immunomodulatory drugs under one heading, important critical texts of traditional Unani medicine, indexed peer-reviewed journals, and authentic literature from online sources were reviewed along with their reported <i>in vivo/in vitro</i> activities and clinical trials. Unani drugs explored in this review are time-tested remedies and can be utilized in these rapidly changing immunological challenges.