Pharmacological Investigation of Genus Pistacia

Abstract

Several plants in the genus Pistacia are used in the treatment of various pathogenic and non-pathogenic disorders. Especially important are the major species belonging to this genus such as Pistacia lentiscus, Pistacia atlantica, Pistacia vera, Pistacia terebinthus, and Pistacia khinjuk, among others; these have been reported for their potential benefits both in medical and commercial purposes. In addition, members of this genus exhibit numerous ethnomedicinal uses, such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, antihypertension, antihyperlipidemic, antiviral, and antiasthma. In light of these potential uses, the present chapter aimed to collect and summarize the literature about all of this medicinal information. Accordingly, this chapter focuses on the pharmacological uses and benefits of the genus Pistacia, especially those related to health issues.

The effects of MEPaL on oxidative stress and motor function in the rats affected by prenatal hypoxia

“…GSH includes two forms: reduced form (GSH) and oxidized form (GSSG), and according to studies, the ratio of GSH/GSSG increases in oxidative stress and the concentration of GSSG decreases, which leads to a decrease in cell resistance against free radicals (Terra et al., 2019; Wu et al., 2017). Recent studies have reported several pharmacological effects of P. atlantica such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, and antitumor activities (Achili et al., 2020; Rauf et al., 2022). The hydroxyl groups of phenols have the potential to inhibit free radicals, and due to the high amount of phenolic compounds in Pistacia , this plant has a high antioxidant capacity in inhibiting the production of free radicals (Hasheminya & Dehghannya, 2020; Tebbi et al., 2023).…”

Ethnomedicinal appraisal of plants used for the treatment of gastrointestinal complaints by tribal communities living in Diamir district, Western Himalayas, Pakistan

“…Gum of Pistacia khinjuk mixed with honey is taken orally for indigestion. Literature reported that the plant is used as tonic, aphrodisiac, antiseptic, antihypertensive and for GIDs, urinary and respiratory tract infections, as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anticholinesterase, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antidiabetic, antitumor, antihyperlipidemic, antiatherosclerosis and hepatoprotective [ 58 ].…”

Pistacia Lentiscus L. Türünün Botani̇k, Etnofarmakoloji̇k, Fi̇toki̇myasal Ve Farmakoloji̇k Akti̇vi̇teleri̇ni̇n Değerlendi̇ri̇lmesi̇

“…Bu cinsin çiçekleri rasemus veya panikula çiçek durumunda, tek eşeyli, 1-3 küçük brakteli, 2-7 brakteollüdür ve rüzgarla tozlaşır. Yaprakları ise genellikle pennat damarlanmaya sahip olup, nadiren basit ya da üç yapraklı, derimsi ya da zarımsıdır [3]. Bu cins, Afrika, Güney Avrupa, Asya, Kuzey Amerika gibi farklı bölgelerde genellikle ağaç formundadır.…”

“…Son yıllarda çeşitli ülkelerde yapılan etnobotanik araştırmalar sonucunda, kurak ve yarı kurak bölgelerde yaşayan birçok topluluğun beslenmesinde ve tarım ekonomisinde Pistacia türlerinin önemli bir rol oynadığı rapor edilmektedir [7]. Pistacia türlerinin farklı kısımları çeşitli farmakolojik aktiviteler için araştırılmış ve iltihap, kanser, enfeksiyon rahtsızlıkları, hipertansiyon ve astım dahil olmak üzere pek çok etnomedikal rahatsızlık için incelendiği bildirilmiştir [2][3]. Pistacia cinsi üzerinde yapılan kimyasal çalışmalar neticesinde yüksek miktarda vitamin ve mineralin yanı sıra monoterpenoit, seskiterpenoit, diterpenoit, triterpenoit, fenolik bileşikler, uçucu yağ, sabit yağ ve sterolleri de taşıdıkları tespit edilmiştir [2].…”