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Immunomodulators: Natural Allies of Our Immune System

Imagine your immune system as a highly skilled army that tirelessly protects your body from invaders. This army needs the right tools and signals to work at its best. This is exactly where immunomodulators come into play. These are substances that can fine-tune our body’s defences and keep them in perfect balance. 

What Are Immunomodulators and Why They Matter

Immunomodulators are biologically active substances that can adjust, boost, or calm down the immune system’s activity. The really clever thing about these compounds is that they can either enhance (immunostimulants) or reduce (immunosuppressants) the activity of the immune system depending on what your body needs.

When you have an infection or cancer, they can rev up your defences to fight harder. But when your immune system starts attacking your own body by mistake, as in autoimmune diseases, immunomodulators can tell it to calm down and stop the friendly fire. This is why they are often studied as part of modern immunomodulator therapy.

Classification of Immunomodulators

Scientists classify immunomodulators in several ways, depending on their origin, chemical structure, and effect on the immune system:

  • by origin – they can be natural (derived from plants, fungi, microbes, or animals) or synthetic (lab-made).
  • by chemical structure – some important types of immunomodulators include polysaccharides (complex sugars), polyphenols (plant antioxidants), terpenoids, alkaloids, proteins, saponins, and flavonoids.
  • by their effect – some act as immune boosters (immunostimulants), while others serve as immune calmers (immunosuppressants).

You can find many examples of immunomodulators in everyday life, such as curcumin in turmeric, resveratrol in grapes or quercetin in onions. Natural substances, especially those from plants and mushrooms, have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Today, modern research continues to explore their benefits, often confirming that they can support immune health with fewer side effects than synthetic drugs. 

Immunomodulators vs Immunosuppressants vs Immunostimulants

Not every substance that affects the immune system works in the same direction. Some push the accelerator, some pump the brakes, and some can do both depending on what your body needs.

Immunomodulators are the broadest category. The term covers any substance that can adjust or regulate immune function, including those that either stimulate or suppress it. The main types include:

  • immunostimulants – boost immune activity and increase the production of signalling molecules that coordinate your body’s defences. They are useful in fighting infections, cancers, or immune deficiencies.
  • immunosuppressants – deliberately calm immune reactions to prevent damage. They are essential after organ transplants and in autoimmune diseases where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues.
  • some biologic drugs can act as both, depending on the situation. Their effect varies with timing and clinical context.

The main difference is that immunomodulators are the umbrella term for any agent that modifies immune function, while immunostimulants specifically increase immune activity and immunosuppressants specifically decrease it.

This distinction shows a key truth about immunity: stronger isn’t always better. The art lies in knowing which dial to turn and in which direction. A decision that depends entirely on whether your immune system needs encouragement, restraint, or just a gentle course correction.

Synthetic vs Natural Immunomodulators 

Here’s something most people don’t realize: your immune system doesn’t care whether the help it gets comes from a rainforest plant or a pharmaceutical factory. But the way it receives that help? That’s where things get interesting.

Synthetic immunomodulators like interferons and corticosteroids represent the pharmaceutical industry’s precision tools. These drugs are engineered for one thing: hitting immune targets hard and fast. They’re the special forces of immune modulation, designed to produce rapid, potent effects when your body needs immediate intervention. 

But here’s the catch: all that power comes with a price tag. These synthetic compounds can trigger significant side effects, from toxicity to unwanted immune suppression, which is why doctors monitor their use so carefully.

Natural immunomodulators tell a different story. Plant extracts like the bright yellow curcumin from turmeric, resveratrol from grapes, and certain fungal compounds and polysaccharides work more like gentle coaches than drill sergeants. In particular, arabinoxylans from rice bran (like the well-studied Biobran MGN-3) are noted for encouraging the immune system to work more efficiently while minimizing harsh side effects.

The important part? Neither approach is universally better. Choosing between synthetic and natural  immunomodulators isn’t about picking a winner in some ideological battle between science and nature. It’s about understanding that your immune system is complex enough to benefit from both approaches, used wisely and at the right times.

 

Arabinoxylans: Special Natural Immunomodulators

Arabinoxylans represent a particularly interesting group of natural immunomodulators. They are complex carbohydrates found primarily in the cell walls of cereals such as wheat, rice, barley, and oats.

Their structure consists of a backbone composed of xylose units, with side chains of arabinose sugars attached at various positions. They often also contain bound phenolic acids, such as ferulic acid, which can influence their biological activity.

The specific arrangement and branching of these sugars, along with the presence of phenolic acids, affect the way arabinoxylans interact with our immune system and with helpful gut bacteria.

One well-known example is Biobran (MGN-3), a rice bran arabinoxylan compound recognised for its gentle, natural immune-supporting properties.

Biobran MGN-3 Arabinoxylan Compound: Natural Immune Support from Rice Bran

Biobran, also known as MGN-3 arabinoxylan compound, is a fascinating plant-derived immunomodulator. Sourced from rice bran, this natural supplement isn’t your typical dietary fibre. It is specially enzymatically modified with an extract from the Shiitake mushroom (Lentinus edodes), which is the key to its immune-supporting properties.

What makes Biobran so intriguing is its ability to spark natural killer cells and cytotoxic T cells into action, boosting the immune system’s ability to recognise and destroy viruses and cancerous threats. 

Research shows it has potential to shield against viral invaders such as SARS-CoV-2, helping the immune system respond effectively without triggering dangerous side effects. Elderly and immunocompromised individuals, in particular, can benefit from its subtle boost, supporting a more resilient defense as years add up. It also helps fend off influenza-like illnesses while promoting overall immune balance. 

The real beauty of Biobran lies in its safety record: research shows it is well tolerated with no side effects even with long-term use. In an age where people crave gentle, effective support, Biobran may be proof that sometimes nature’s solutions are both elegant and practical.

 

The future of immunomodulators in medicine and prevention

Research on immunomodulators continues to evolve, bringing new insights into their mechanisms of action and potential applications. Polysaccharides such as arabinoxylans are emerging as promising candidates for the development of new therapeutic approaches.

Particularly interesting are combination therapies, where natural immunomodulators are integrated with conventional treatment procedures. Such approaches can enhance treatment effectiveness while simultaneously reducing side effects.

Future research focuses on gaining a better understanding of structure–function relationships of polysaccharides, optimising their production, and developing personalised therapies based on individual patient needs.

Natural immunomodulators such as arabinoxylans and Biobran MGN-3 thus represent a bridge between traditional and modern medicine, offering safe and effective options for supporting human health and immunity.

 

Frequently Asked Questions: Immunomodulators Explained

  • What are immunomodulators used for? – Immunomodulators help control the immune system. They can boost it to fight infections and cancer or suppress it to stop the body from attacking itself, for example in autoimmune diseases or after organ transplants. In simple terms, they help balance the immune system by making it stronger when it’s weak and calmer when it’s overactive.
  • What are immunomodulators examples? – Examples of immunomodulators include medicines such as interferons, imiquimod, and certain plant-based substances like Echinacea, curcumin, resveratrol, and arabinoxylans (e.g., Biobran MGN-3 arabinoxylan compound). These substances are used to modulate the immune response in various diseases, and their effects are supported by scientific research.
  • Are immunomodulators safe? – Immunomodulators can be safe when used correctly and under medical supervision, but they may also cause side effects such as infections, allergic reactions, or problems with organs like the liver or heart. The risk depends on the specific drug, the person’s health, and how closely they are monitored, so regular medical check-ups are important while using these medicines.
  • What is arabinoxylan compound? – Arabinoxylan compound is a type of dietary fibre made up of sugars found in the cell walls of cereal grains such as wheat, rye, and rice. It may support digestion and help maintain a healthy immune system.
  • What is Biobran good for? – Biobran MGN-3 is a natural supplement made from rice bran that supports the immune system, helps protect the liver, and may reduce the risk of certain infections and illnesses, particularly in older adults. Research also suggests it may benefit brain health, support cancer prevention and wound healing, and improve overall quality of life.
  • What is the chemical name for mgn3? – The chemical name for MGN-3 is arabinoxylan compound, which is a type of dietary fibre made from rice bran. It is sometimes also called arabinoxylan rice bran or modified rice bran arabinoxylan.
  • Are immunomodulators biologics? – Immunomodulators are not always biologics, but some types are biologic drugs. Biologics are medicines made from living cells, and many modern immunomodulators, such as monoclonal antibodies and fusion proteins, belong to this group, while others are chemically synthesised and not biologics. 
  • Are immunomodulators and immunosuppressants the same? – Immunomodulators and immunosuppressants are related but not identical. Immunomodulators are an umbrella term for substances that can either increase or decrease immune activity. Immunosuppressants fall under this group and mainly work to reduce the immune response, for example to prevent organ rejection or treat autoimmune diseases. 
  • Are immunomodulators and immunostimulants the same? – Immunomodulators and immunostimulants are closely related but not the same. Immunomodulators are an umbrella term for substances that can either increase or decrease immune activity, while immunostimulants are those that specifically boost or strengthen the immune response.

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About the author: 

Maria Piknova, PhD, is a biochemist and science blogger specialising in microbiology and molecular biology. She is passionate about translating complex science into clear, evidence-based insights. [ORCID / LinkedIn]