Immunostimulant plant proteins: Potential candidates as vaccine adjuvants

Phytother Res. 2022 Dec;36(12):4345-4360. doi: 10.1002/ptr.7624. Epub 2022 Sep 20.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is shaking up global scientific structures toward addressing antibiotic resistance threats and indicates an urgent need to develop more cost-effective vaccines. Vaccine adjuvants play a crucial role in boosting immunogenicity and improving vaccine efficacy. The toxicity and adversity of most adjuvant formulations are the major human immunization problems, especially in routine pediatric and immunocompromised patients. The present review focused on preclinical studies of immunoadjuvant plant proteins in use with antiparasitic, antifungal, and antiviral vaccines. Moreover, this report outlines the current perspective of immunostimulant plant protein candidates that can be used by researchers in developing new generations of vaccine-adjuvants. Future clinical studies are required to substantiate the plant proteins' safety and applicability as a vaccine adjuvant in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Keywords: adjuvants; immunostimulants; lectins; plant protein; vaccines.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic* / pharmacology
  • Adjuvants, Vaccine*
  • Humans
  • Plant Proteins* / immunology
  • Vaccines*

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Adjuvants, Vaccine
  • Plant Proteins
  • Vaccines