Biosurfactants: Potential applications as immunomodulator drugs

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Immunology

Background:

• Biosurfactants (BSs) are amphiphilic molecules with surface-active properties.
• They are widely used in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, food, and bioremediation.
• BSs interact with cell membranes, altering cellular functions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the interference of different classes of BSs with immune response mechanisms.
• To highlight the potential of BSs as therapeutic agents for immune disorders.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of scientific literature on BSs and their interaction with immune responses.
• Analysis of BSs' antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, and immunomodulatory activities.
• Evaluation of BSs' properties such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, specificity, and toxicity.

Main Results:

• BSs exhibit antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer effects by disrupting cell membranes and envelopes.
• BSs can induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and metastasis arrest in tumor cells.
• BSs demonstrate immunomodulatory activities, either suppressing or activating the immune system.

Conclusions:

• Biosurfactants offer advantages over chemical agents, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity.
• Their chemical diversity and environmentally friendly nature support large-scale production and future applications.
• BSs represent a novel class of therapeutic molecules for managing immune disorders.