Modulation of immune functions by using medicinal plants and their products as a possible therapeutic measure has become fundamental principles of therapeutic approach. Plants and minerals have been used since ancient times for the treatment of many ailments and diseases. It is now being recognized that immunomodulation of immune response could provide an alternative to conventional chemotherapy for a variety of disease conditions, especially when host's defense mechanism have to be activated under the conditions of impaired immune responsiveness or when a selective immunosuppression has to be induced in situation like autoimmune disorders and organ transplantation.

• In the present study, aqueous extract of Cassia occidentalis (KASAUNDI), Trigonella foenum-graecum (METHI), Delphinium denudatum (JADWAR) and Anthum graveolens (SOWA) showed no mortality and apparent toxicity signs and symptoms in the treated animals.
  
  

• Among all the herbs, Cassia occidentalis and Trigonella foenum-graecum showed the stimulatory effect on specific and non-specific immunity. It is also interesting to note that in spite of reduction in spleen weight and its cellularity no suppressive effect was observed in spleen associated functions (antibody production as measured by PFC assay and antibody titre). It is suggested that these plants may be beneficial in ongoing chemotherapy. However, Delphinium denudatum showed dual effect on immune functions. It suppressed the humoral immunity and stimulated the cell mediated and non-specific immunity. This herb may not be good candidate for immunomodulatory activities. Anthum graveolens depicted no effect on immune functions at any dose used in this study. These reports highlight the needs for further study, in particular to investigate the possible action of C. occidentalis, T. foenum-graecum, D. denudatum extracts and their components in interfering with cytokine production.
  
  

• In this study, C. occidentalis T. foenum-graecum and D. denudatum showed antitumor and antibacterial activities against ehrlic’h ascites tumor cell line and S. typhimurium bacteria respectively.
  
  

• During the functioning of immune system, such as in phagocytosis and respiratory burst activity, reactive oxygen species are generated, if they are left unchecked they may lead to peroxidative damage to other tissue. In this investigation all the herbs showed an inhibition effect on in the lipid peroxidation in both the liver and kidney.
  
  

• Modulatory role of plant extract on drug metabolizing enzymes and antioxidants was investigated. The extracts of C. occidentalis and D. denudatum showed significant decrease in the level of cytochrome P450 in the both the liver and kidney of mice. However, no effect was observed in case of T. foenum-graecum at any dose level. These observations of C. occidentalis and D. denudatum might be indicative of inhibition of oxidative metabolic processes and thereby a blocking of the activation of xenobiotic compounds including toxic chemicals. There is persuasive evidence to support the induction of glutathione S-transferase and protection against a wide spectrum of cytotoxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic chemicals. All the plant extracts showed significant increase in the activity of glutathione S-transferase in both the liver and kidney.
  
  

• Modulation of hepatic and nephrotic detoxification enzymes by these herbs plays an important role in the detoxification of drugs and chemicals. It is therefore proposed that use of C. occidentalis, and T. foenum-graecum may be helpful in patients suffering from immunosuppression and they may also provide relief by facilitating fast detoxification of drugs that are known to cause toxicity in the patients undergoing chemotherapy. Anti-mutagenic and hepatoprotective effect of C. occidentalis are well established in animals. It is also an important constituent of Ayurveda and Unani formulations. Further investigation in animals and human are warranted on this plan