The augmenting acceptance and application of herbal medicine in prevention and treatment of diseases also involve the use of plant essential oils (EOs) through different routes of administration (aromatherapy). Scientific data supporting the efficacy of certain herbal products are continuously growing; however, the cumulative evidence is not always sufficient. The anti-inflammatory properties of EOs have been investigated more extensively and also reviewed in different settings, but so far, our review is the first to summarize the immune-supporting properties of EOs. Our aim here is to synthesize the currently available data on the immune function enhancing effects of EOs. An online search was conducted in the PubMed database, which was terminated at the end of July 2019. Other articles were found in the reference lists of the preselected papers. Studies that applied whole EOs with known components, or single EO constituents under in vitro or in vivo laboratory conditions, or in human studies, and de facto measured parameters related to immune function as outcome measures were included. Two specific fields, EO dietary supplementation for livestock and fish, and forest bathing are also explored. Some EOs, particularly eucalyptus and ginger, seem to have immune function enhancing properties in multiple studies.

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Our goal was to explore immunoserological relations between IgM and IgG isotypes of natural autoantibodies (nAAbs) and pathogen (or vaccine)‐induced or disease‐related antibodies in systemic autoimmune diseases (SAD); systemic sclerosis (SSc), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The found significant associations between IgG isotype nAbs and specific humoral antibodies may underscore the immune response‐inducible nature of the diseases investigated, and may corroborate the notion that nAbs can act as a mediator between the innate‐like and the adaptive arms of the immune system .The relationship between protective anti‐dsDNA IgM and the IgM isotype of anti‐F4 and anti‐CS may provide immuno‐serological evidence for the beneficial roles of nAAbs in SLE patients.

The construct validity of the EScSG activity index is good, though the lung-related disease activity may not be sufficiently represented. Further validation steps may be required for both the EScSG and our 12-point activity index.

Inflammation and immune dysregulation could contribute to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Osteopontin (OPN) is a cytokine-like glycoprotein involved in inflammation and in modulating immune responses, and it can also directly modify the cytokine expression and survival of microglia. Furthermore, elevated gene expression of OPN in first episode psychosis has recently been described, but to date OPN level has not been investigated in schizophrenia. Imbalance of T-helper subtypes could also represent a vulnerability factor for schizophrenia. In this study, we analyzed the concentration of OPN, levels of cytokines associated with T-helper subtypes: interferon gamma (IFNy) for Th1, interleukin (IL)-10 for Th2, IL-8 for Th17, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in 22 patients with schizophrenia assessed for the intensity of their symptoms by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Clinical Global Impression scale (CGI) scores. Serum OPN, IFNy, IL-10, and IL-8 concentrations were measured by ELISA kits and NLR was calculated from blood count. We found significant correlation between the level of OPN and PANSS-total and PANSS-general scores. IFNy level and NLR showed significant correlation with PANSS-total, PANSS-positive, PANSS-general, and CGI score. Among the measured markers antipsychotic therapy only had significant effects on NLR and OPN level, both of which were significantly reduced after long-term antipsychotic treatment. Our results indicate that elevated OPN and IFNy concentrations, and increased NLR are associated with severe symptoms in schizophrenia and suggest the importance of Th1 subtype in patients with high PANSS-positive and PANSS-general subscore. Significant correlation between NLR and PANSS scores strengthens the inflammation hypothesis of schizophrenia.