Immune system immunization, with plant foods

Tiiterpenoid saponin exists widely in plants of Araliaceae, Campanulaceae, Polygalaceae, Leguminosae, Umbelliferae, etc. Tiiterpenoid saponin is consisted of triteipenoid sapogenins and saccharide chain. Tetracyclic and pentacyclic triteipenoid saponins are very common and showed extensive activity on immune system, cardiovascular system, even with antitumor effect. They have long been under study to elucidate their activity and mechanism, new structural compounds, and develop rapid and accurate analytical methods. The isolation of triterpenoid saponins is tedious due to their high polarity, and so is the structure identification due to the presence of more than three monosaccharides. New analytical tools and approaches have been developed for qualitative and quantitative analysis of triteipenoid saponins in food, medicinal plant and health care products. This chapter describes spectrophotometry, mass spectrometry, and chromatography coupled with different detector for triterpenoid saponin analysis in matrix. 

Researchers are working to produce recombinant proteins from viruses in plants so that the leaves, fruit, or root (such as potatoes) would be edible forms of vaccine. A vaccine that is eaten may be more appealing and suitable than injections, particularly in poor parts of world with limited access to skilled health-care professionals. But there are barriers to the development of plant vaccines. First, there are technical issues. For example, would conditions within the stomach allow the immune system to respond to the protein to provide protection Additionally, some people are concerned about the environmental and health risks of growing vaccine-producing plants in fields. Could the food be safely processed and shipped While the development of plant-based vaccines has been a research success since first reported in 1992, it remains uncertain whether this form of biotechnology will eventually have a major impact on public health. 

Dandelion Medicine, by Brigitte Mars. This much-maligned weed is in truth one of the safest and most effective medicinal herbs available, with the power to fight infection, relieve congestion, aid digestion, and boost the immune system. Learn how to use this common plant in both food and home remedies. 128 pages. Paperback. ISBN 1-58017-207-5. 

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