This beneficial effect was supposedly due to the increased expression of genes involved in biotic stress response ( PR1 ), ethylene biosynthesis and ROS scavenging including a GST (Tiwari et al., 2016)
10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.05.108 Biochem
The digested pieces activate helper T cells which in turn activate the proliferation of B cells that are programed for the specific invading pathogen
Med Clin 152(4):135140 Iyamu EW, Turner EA, Asakura T (2002) In vitro effects of NIPRISAN (Nix-0699): a naturally occurring, potent antisickling agent
Studies demonstrate its ability to stimulate cell migration and tendon fibroblast activity, leading to improved tendon outgrowth and repair, particularly in injuries like Achilles tendon ruptures (2)
If you are using oral capsules, none of the above applies you only need the capsules themselves