Abstract
The terms “immunostimulants” and “adaptogens” both describe drugs capable of increasing the resistance of an organism against Stressors of variable origin. Both types of drugs achieve this enhancement primarily by nonspecific mechanisms of actions. Immunostimulants generally stimulate, in a non-antigen dependent manner, the function and efficiency of the nonspecific immune system in order to counteract microbial infections or immunosuppressive states. Adaptogens are believed to reinforce (increase) the non-specific power of resistance of the body against physical, chemical or biological noxious agents. With respect to the mechanisms of action immunostimulants influence primarily the humoral and cellular immune system, whereas adaptogens are thought to between the immune and endocrine system it is very often difficult or impossible to discriminate between the two mechanisms of action. Therefore, it is not surprising that both classes of drugs can influence both systems at the same time.
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Wagner, H.K.M. (1995). Immunostimulants and Adaptogens from Plants. In: Arnason, J.T., Mata, R., Romeo, J.T. (eds) Phytochemistry of Medicinal Plants. Recent Advances in Phytochemistry, vol 29. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-1778-2_1
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