Preface

The human immune system is a multi-faceted network of functionally diverse cells expressing a broad array of receptors that collectively function to respond to infection, eliminate precancerous cells, and maintain metabolic health. The breakdown of this delicately poised immune response is typically life-limiting; however, even subtle changes in its ability to distinguish an invading pathogen from the host can give rise to a spectrum of autoimmune diseases. Indeed, autoimmune diseases affect approximately 5%–8% of the world population and cause tremendous suffering to patients while also representing a major global socioeconomic issue. Although detailed molecular, immunological, genetic, and clinical studies have provided an increasingly sophisticated understanding of the mechanisms that underpin some autoimmune diseases, the drivers of human autoimmune diseases, including environmental triggers and the ensuing pathogenesis, remain poorly understood. In general, current immune-modulatory drugs used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases are broadly acting, non-disease specific, and, consequently, associated with side effects such as infection and malignant disease. Furthermore, it is clear that the majority of patients are not responding optimally to these therapies. Thus, there is a pressing need for the development of new drugs or repositioning of drugs based on a molecular and clinical understanding of the specific autoimmune diseases in individual patients in combination with high-throughput analysis of integrated datasets. Such personalized medicines may go hand in hand with the inclusion of new diagnostics, leading to a better disease understanding and more patient-centric clinical trials that also consider ethnic diversity and patient-reported outcome measures. Prevention should also be part of future early intervention. This book's perspective will highlight the different types of current therapies and showcase how future basic studies, new technologies, and clinical trials could dynamically and reciprocally inform each other, leading to a better understanding of disease mechanisms and, hence, more refined treatments.

Treatment of autoimmune diseases has drastically changed over the last 20 years with development and routine clinical use of synthetic or biologic drugs that block various pathways and components of the immune system, such as cytokines, cell adhesion molecules, and co-stimulatory molecules, or delete entire immune cell populations.

The novelty intensifies in this book's content, reflecting growing interest in exploring herbal alternatives as complementary or alternative therapies for autoimmune diseases. While these herbal options show promise, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating them into your treatment plan. Individual responses may vary, and personalized approaches are crucial for managing autoimmune disorders effectively. Always prioritize safety and work closely with your healthcare provider to find the best combination of therapies for your specific condition. The different plant’s secondary metabolites play a significant role in modern therapy, including the treatment of autoimmune disorders. Insides of book where the attempt is made to focus on the Plants secondary metabolites, have gained prominence due to their relative safety and multifunctionality. Phytoconstituents offer better pharmacokinetic profiles and reduced adverse effects compared to synthetic drugs. Hundreds of phytoconstitutents have shown promising results in biochemical and cell line studies. Certain phytoconstitutents have been studied for their potential in managing autoimmune disorders. In summary, plant secondary metabolites offer a diverse array of therapeutic possibilities, making them valuable allies in the quest for better health. Thus, the research in the field of autoimmune disorders and secondary metabolites increased the hope of the scientific community. This book is focused on the role of various secondary plant metabolites in the management of different autoimmune disorders. The contents are divided into two sections wherein the first section focuses on the basics of autoimmunity as well as the interrelationship between autoimmune disorders, medicinal plants and drug discovery. The second section of this book strikes, therefore, a great balance at the described role of the secondary plant metabolites in different autoimmune disorders.