Evaluation the ethno‐pharmacological studies in Iran during 2004–2016: A systematic review

Abstract

Although Iran has a deep history in herbal medicine and great heritage of ancient medical scholars, few efforts have been made to evaluate ethnopharmacological aspects of medicinal plants in this country. In the present study, the authors have reviewed all important literature about the ethnopharmacological investigations on medicinal plants used in the last decade in Iran. All provinces of Iran were categorized according to a phytogeographical division. Information was collected through bibliographic investigations from scientific journals and books. Afterward, the data were analyzed through the construction of specific ecological regions of the country. Fifty-five references reporting medicinal plants in five ecological zones were retrieved. The Irano-Turanian subregion has produced the greatest number of publications in this field among others (47%). Results illustrate that the most reported botanical families were Lamiaceae and Asteraceae (28.57% and 27.73%, respectively). Among various illnesses reported for these plants, gastrointestinal (30.15%), respiratory problems (14.28%), diabetes (11.11%), and cold/flu (11.11%) were the most cited. The most frequently cited medicinal uses were attributed to decoction and infusion preparations. Iran has a rich history of knowledge about phytotherapy and has also a diverse geographical regions, and a plant flora that is a good candidate for drug discovery. Documentation of indigenous knowledge about herbal medicine used by Iranian tribes is vital for the future development of herbal drugs. Ethnopharmacological studies of Iranian folk medicine with quantitative analytical techniques are warranted to find drug candidates, and also to preserve the precious knowledge of the Iranian folk medicine.

Medicinal plants and phytotherapy in Iran: Glorious history, current status and future prospects

“…In Iranian Traditional Medicine, the noticeable roles of different plant families in the treatment of different illnesses are widely documented. In the recent review papers related to ethnobotanical studies published from 2004 to 2016, it was found that Labiatae was the most cited plant family (34 citations), that could be attributed to its broad distribution throughout Iran and multiple features of its plants (21). In the present work, it was found that Asteraceae is the second most reported plant family (33 citations) in Iranian Traditional Medicine.…”

“…Thus, it enjoys a mix of cultures which is considered as a rich backbone for the expansion of ethnobotanical knowledge and plant based medicines. The study of traditional uses of medicinal plants is a major part of ethnobotany which is known as medical ethnobotany, ethnomedicine or ethnopharmacology (20)(21)(22).…”

“…The analysis of researches related to ethnomedicinal plants published from 2004 to 2016 revealed that, although a broad array of diseases was stated for those plants, digestive system diseases (30.15%) and respiratory illnesses (14.28%), were the most cited (21).…”

Investigation of Some Medicinal Plants Inhibitory Effect on NO Production in Oxidative Stressed PC12 Cells

“…Generally, the plants in the Lamiaceae family have phytochemicals such as terpenes, flavonoids, and phenolic acids and have a special importance in Ethnopharmacology and phytotherapy. 10 Salvia is the -Nitric Oxide -PC12 -Astragalus jolderensis -Convolvulus commutatus -Salvia multicaulis -Griess assay largest genus of the Lamiaceae family and its species have complex and rich diversity. Furthermore, studies show that active compounds from Salvia spp.…”

The biological effects of herbal medicine, Falcaria vulgaris: An article review

“…As medicinal plants are low-priced, can enhance the resistance Afsharnasab, Kakoolaki and Mohammadidost (2016), (Kakoolaki, Akbary, Zorriehzahra, Salehi, Sepahdari, Afsharnasab, Mehrabi & Jadgal 2016, Sadeghi, Akaberi, Emami, Sobhkhizi & Sahebkar 2017 as dry powder in west and south-west of Iran, to accelerate skin wound healing (Masoudi, Ameri, Rustaiyan, Moradalizadeh & Azar 2005, Shakibaie, Pasharavesh, Khoshboo & Kaboodi 2007 and to use as a vegetable in some areas . It is a 2-year and highly branched plant and have been used in the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers in west of Iran for last decades (Khanahmadi & Shahrezaei 2008).…”