Ethnobotanical Diversity of Trees and Shrubs of Iran: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Iran, possessing unique topographic and diverse climatic conditions, is the home of 8167 vascular plant species. Iran has a historical tradition in using plants for medicinal purposes. Approximately 2075 species over the whole are popularly characterized as medicinal or aromatic. Medicinal trees and shrubs compose a significant percentage of Iranian medicinal flora. Nonetheless, there are no integrated databases on their applications and most of the publications and documents have been scattered to date. Therefore, the present investigation aims to integrate the published literature considering its ethnobotanical aspects that would serve as promising precursors for developing potent medicines of plant origin. In the study, we compile information about ethnobotany of trees and shrubs of Iran. Our survey found 174 taxa belonging to 109 genera and 56 families. The majority of species were classified in Rosaceae, Fabaceae, Rutaceae, Salicaceae, and Lamiaceae families. Rosaceae was the most dominant, representing 21.8% of the total plant species recorded, among them, the genus with the highest number of species was Prunus (16 species). Berberis vulgaris, Citrus limon, and Betula pendula have the highest number of medicinal uses (24 number of uses) in Iran. Leaves (22.7%) represented the most dominant usage of the plant parts, while the most commonly used preparation method was infusion (33.5%). Most of the plant species have been consumed for digestive system treatment (21%), followed by immune system treatment (20%). The present review highlights that different trees and shrubs taxa have great traditional applications in various healing throughout the Iranian territory. The represented data can potentially be a precious reference containing useful information for directing further phytochemical, biological, and pharmacological investigations. Several endemic species of trees and shrubs, particularly Ribes khorasanicum, are frequently used in Iranian traditional medicine. Because of overharvesting, these species are calling a wake-up alarm for conservation.

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seeds accelerates wound healing in rats: Possible molecular mechanisms

“…7 Therefore, the examination and providing scientific background for plants with ethnopharmacological utilization for skin disorders has been doubled in the last few decades in various distinct geographical areas, the Balkans, 8 China, 9 Iraq, 10 Saudi Arabia, 11 and Iran. 12 In particular, the Flora and ethnobotany studies conducted in nearby regions of Erbil, Iraq (Ballakayati, Shaqlawa, and Rawanduz) and and Iraq). [13][14][15][16] Cuminum cyminum L. (cumin) is an annual aromatic plant species belonging to Apiaceae family.…”

“…Plant‐based products were extensively used as therapeutic solutions by 65% of the world population and by 80% of people living in developed countries 7 . Therefore, the examination and providing scientific background for plants with ethnopharmacological utilization for skin disorders has been doubled in the last few decades in various distinct geographical areas, the Balkans, 8 China, 9 Iraq, 10 Saudi Arabia, 11 and Iran 12 . In particular, the Flora and ethnobotany studies conducted in nearby regions of Erbil, Iraq (Ballakayati, Shaqlawa, and Rawanduz) and Sulaimani, Iraq (Hawraman and Çuar qurne) have detailed the utilization forms, local names, and medicinal purposes of numerous naturally growing traditional plants.…”

“… 7 Therefore, the examination and providing scientific background for plants with ethnopharmacological utilization for skin disorders has been doubled in the last few decades in various distinct geographical areas, the Balkans, 8 China, 9 Iraq, 10 Saudi Arabia, 11 and Iran. 12 In particular, the Flora and ethnobotany studies conducted in nearby regions of Erbil, Iraq (Ballakayati, Shaqlawa, and Rawanduz) and Sulaimani, Iraq (Hawraman and Çuar qurne) have detailed the utilization forms, local names, and medicinal purposes of numerous naturally growing traditional plants. Cuminum cyminum (local name, Zeera), as traditional therapeutics has been utilized for health purposes (wound management, Colitis, menstrual irregularities, Hairsutism, Provoking lactation, Carminative) in middle east countries including Iran, Turkey, and Iraq).…”

Biosynthesis of ZnO.Ag2O3 using aqueous extract of Haplophyllum obtusifolium: Characterization and cell toxicity activity against liver carcinoma cells

“…Researchers were more interested in using plants to create nanoparticles for biological purposes [17][18][19][20]. The green approaches employ various capping agents based on plant extracts [21][22][23][24][25]. Due to the presence of phenolic and alkaloidal components and other polar compounds which contains electron-donor atoms such as oxygen and nitrogen, they might be utilized to form complexes with different metal ions, creating metal-nitrogen or metal-oxygen bonds.…”

Evaluation of the biological activity of nanoemulsions fabricated by walnut oil (Juglans regiaL.)

“…Chemical compounds and secondary metabolites derived from plants, such as essential oils, flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenols, have been widely studied as preservatives in processed foods [21,22] and as pharmaceutical agents due to their ability to inhibit microbial growth, oxidoreductase properties, and capability to catalyze enzymatic reactions [23,24]. The utilization of medicinal plants for treating diseases dates back to centuries ago [25][26][27]. Despite the fact that there are many chemical drugs available, it is estimated that plants provide about one-third of all pharmaceutical products [28].…”