Abstract

PLANT-BASED VACCINES: A NEW ERA IN IMMUNOPROPHYLAXIS

Gore Aarti Somnath, Jondhale Tejal Ankush, Gholve Gayatri Gunwant, Varpe Tanmay Rajendra and Ghogare Prajwal Vijendra

ABSTRACT

Vaccines are widely considered as one of the most effective tools for preventing infectious diseases. Despite the significant value that currently existing vaccinations bring to public health, the introduction of additional vaccine platforms is critical. In fact, currently existing vaccinations have flaws such as poor activation of a cell-mediated immune response and a lack of protective mucosal immunity. Recent research has focused on vaccine delivery systems as an alternative to injectable vaccines, with the goal of increasing antigen stability and overall immunogenicity. Novel techniques based on edible or intradermal vaccination formulations have been shown to elicit both a systemic and mucosal immune response. These innovative immunization delivery systems have various advantages over injectable preparations, including self-administration, lower costs, greater stability, and the elimination of a cold chain. In recent years, biotechnologists have devised a novel idea: edible vaccines. Subunit vaccines, or edible vaccines, cause the transgenic plant to produce the encoded protein by introducing specific genes into the plant. Potatoes, bananas, lettuce, corn, soybeans, grains, and legumes are among the foods covered by this application. For patients of all ages, they offer a cost-effective delivery method that is simple to use, store, and give. Due to their edible nature, vaccines do not require syringe-based administration, which lowers the risk of infection and saves money. But a number of technical, legal, and non-scientific issues, such as the regulation of antigen dosage, appear to be solvable and must be dealt with. In this review, the promise of edible vaccines as a worldwide vaccination against pathogenic diseases—with a focus on viral infections—is presented and critically examined.  This notion was proposed ten years ago, but it has now become a reality. A wide range of medication delivery systems have been developed up to the present day. Originally thought to be used exclusively to prevent infectious infections, it is now used to prevent autoimmune diseases, oncotherapy, family planning, and other conditions. Many edible vaccinations are currently available for a wide range of human and animal ailments. Transgenic crops are becoming more widely accepted in both industries and underdeveloped countries. The fate of edible vaccinations may be determined by objections to genetically modified crops. The major challenges to the approach of the next vaccination technology have already been addressed. However, significant technical, regulatory, and non-scientific challenges remain. This review examines the current and future significance of innovative preventative approaches.

Keywords: Edible, immune response, novel technique, self administration, genes, antigen.