Review Article Ethnobotanical knowledge of Apiaceae family in Iran: A review Mohammad Sadegh Amiri1*, Mohammad Reza Joharchi2 1Department of Biology, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran 2Department of Botany, Research Center for Plant Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Article history: Abstract Received: Dec 28, 2015 Objective: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family is one of the biggest Received in revised form: Jan 08, 2016 plant families on the earth. Iran has a huge diversity of Apiaceae Accepted: Jan10, 2016 members. This family possesses a range of compounds that have Vol. 6, No. 6, Nov-Dec 2016, many biological activities. The members of this family are well 621-635. known as vegetables, culinary and medicinal plants. Here, we present a review of ethnobotanical uses of Apiaceae plants by the * Corresponding Author: Iranian people in order to provide a comprehensive documentation Tel: +989158147889 for future investigations. Fax: +985146229291 Materials and Methods: We checked scientific studies published [email protected] in books and journals in various electronic databases (Medline, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and Google Scholar websites) Keywords: Apiaceae from 1937 to 2015 and reviewed a total of 52 publications that Ethnobotany provided information about different applications of these plant Medicinal Plants species in human and livestock. Non- Medicinal Plants Results: As a result of this review, several ethnobotanical usages Iran of 70 taxa, 17 of which were endemic, have been determined. These plants were used for medicinal and non-medicinal purposes. The most commonly used parts were fruits, leaves, aerial parts and gums. The most common methods of preparation were decoction, infusion and poultice. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this paper represents a comprehensive literature search of ethnobotanical uses of Apiaceae reported from Iran. This study highlights the rich traditional knowledge of this family that has remained in Iran. However, most of this knowledge survive only as memories from the past in the minds of the elderly, and will probably vanish in a few decades. Thus, we compiled these scattered data together in a single document for the next scientific works with ethnobotanical interests. Please cite this paper as: Amiri MS, Joharchi MR. Ethnobotanical knowledge of Apiaceae family in Iran: A review. Avicenna J Phytomed, 2016; 6 (6): 621-635. Introduction family comprises approximately 450 The Apiaceae (previously known as the genera and 3700 species worldwide Umbel Family: Umbelliferae) is one of the (Pimenov and Leonov, 1993). The largest plant families in the world. This members of this family are well known as AJP, Vol. 6, No. 6, Nov-Dec 2016 621 Amiri and Joharchi vegetables, culinary and medicinal plants Dolatkhahi and Nabipour, 2014; Sadeghi such as Anethum graveolens (dill), et al., 2014; Sharififar et al., 2014; Anthriscus cerefolium (chervil), Angelica Tahvilian et al., 2014; khodayari et al., spp. (angelica), Apium gravolence (celery), 2015). However, there are no distinct Carum carvi (caraway), Coriandrum references on the ethnobotanical sativum (coriander), Cuminum cyminum applications of this family in Iran and most (cumin), Foeniculum vulgare (fennel), of the publications and documents are Ferula gummosa (galbanum),and scattered. Thus, we compiled these Pimpinella anisum (anise), etc. Plants of scattered data together in a single this family usually possess a characteristic document for the next scientific works pungent or aromatic smell which is owing with ethnobotanical interests. In addition, to the presence of essential oil or oleoresin we reported information on conservation (Singh and Jain, 2007). Members of and endemism status of some of these taxa Apiaceae possess various compounds with in Iran. many biological activities. Some of the main properties are ability to induce apoptosis, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, Methods vaso-relaxant, cyclooxygenase inhibitory We checked scientific studies in various and antitumor activities (Pae et al., 2002). electronic databases (Medline, Pubmed, For the family Apiaceae, Iran is a major Science Direct, Scopus, and Google center of diversification. In Iran, the Scholar websites) from 1937 to 2015. Apiaceae family is represented by 121 After a comprehensive search on the genera and 360 species. Iran with unique ethnobotanical aspects of Apiaceae family climatic conditions has a large variety of in Iran, we reviewed a total of 52 plants, especially some unique endemic publications that provided information plants. From the endemism points of view, about different applications of these plant Apiaceae is an important family in the species in human and livestock. In this flora of Iran with 122 endemic taxa article, scientific and author names of plant (Mozaffarian, 2007; Emami and Aghazari, species were checked for latest changes 2011). Iran has a very honorable history in according to “The plant list” folk medicine, which dates back to the (http://www.theplantlist.org). time of Babylonian-Assyrian civilization. One of the most significant ancient heritages is knowledge of people who tried over the millennia to discover useful plants Results for health improvement and each In this review, ethnobotanical usages of generation added their own experience to 70 species, 17 of which were endemic, this tradition (Naghibi et al., 2005). Iran have been determined. Table 1 illustrates has a long history of medical practice and the results of this study. The plants used knowledge of plant remedies. The for various purposes in different parts of documentation of traditions of plant use in Iran were arranged in alphabetical order of Iran was begun many years ago (Hopper their botanical names, with the relevant and Field, 1937). Recently, several local data. The information includes vernacular ethnobotanical studies focusing on names, the part(s) used, the method of different parts of Iran have been published preparation, and medicinal and non- (Amin, 1992; Zargari, 1996; Ghorbani, medicinal aspects along with literature 2005; Ahvazi et al., 2012; Amiri et al., sources. The species marked with an 2012; Emami et al., 2012; Mosaddegh et asterisk (*) were endemic species al., 2012;Rajaei et al., 2012; Amiri and belonging to this family in Iran. The Joharchi, 2013; Safa et al., 2013; mostly used parts of the plants were fruits AJP, Vol. 6, No. 6, Nov-Dec 2016 622 Review on the ethnobotany of Apiaceae family in Iran (21 species) followed by leaves (17 Ethnobotanical investigations generally species), aerial parts (17 species), gum (13 result in the documentation of a rather species), root (12 species), stem (7 limited set of well-documented beneficial species), flowers (4 species), whole plant plants, mostly medicinal, but also those (4 species), seed (3 species) and rhizome known to be poisonous or used in (1 species) (Figure 1). The most common nourishment (Ghorbani et al., 2006). In methods of preparation were decoction (20 this paper, the members of Apiaceae species), followed by infusion (13 family were used for various purposes, species), poultice (6 species), smoke (3 however we categorized their uses into species), vapor (3 species), pill (2 species) three main groups including: 1) medicinal and powder (2 species) (Figure 2). plants used in human; 2) medicinal plants used in livestock and 3) non-medicinal aspects. Medicinal plants used for humans From a total of 70 species belonging to this family, 66 species were reported to be used for medicinal purposes in human. Among them, the most frequently quoted species in this category were: Bunium persicum (Boiss.) B.Fedtsch., Cuminum cyminum L., Dorema aucheri Boiss., Dorema ammoniacum D.Don, Ducrosia anethifolia (DC.) Boiss., Ferula assa- foetida L., Ferula gummosa Boiss., Ferulago angulata (Schltdl.) Boiss., Oliveria decumbens Vent., Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindl. and Smyrnium cordifolium Boiss. Most reported medicinal uses were for treatment of gastro-intestinal, respiratory system, Figure 1. Proportional presentation of plant parts urinary systemmetabolic system, used. gynaecological and skin disorders, and also they were used as antiseptic, anthelmintic, calmative, antipyretic, galactogogue and appetizer agents. Medicinal plants used for livestock Ten species have been recorded to have medicinal uses in veterinary. Among them, the most commonly used plants were: Carum carvi L. fruits, which were consumed for ectoparasites, digestive troubles, skin diseases, fever and mouth Figure 2. Mode of preparations and their infection in livestock. The fruits of percentages. Cuminum cyminum L. were used to increase libido in female camels and as an The importance of ethnobotanical anti-bloat agent in cattle and sheeps. Gum aspects and root of Dorema ammoniacum D.Don were used to treat infectious wound AJP, Vol. 6, No. 6, Nov-Dec 2016 623 Amiri and Joharchi infection and abscess in sheep and goat. other regions of the country. Kelus or Gum and root of Dorema aucheri Boiss. karafs-e-Bakhtyari (Kelussia odoratissima Were used for treatment of infectious Mozaff.) was widely used as a wild wounds and infection in sheep. Aerial vegetable and flavoring. It could be found parts of Oliveria decumbens Vent. were in local markets and beside the roads by used for treatment of diarrhea. Aerial parts local people. Some species such as and root of Smyrnium cordifolium Boiss. Echinophora platyloba DC., Kelussia were used for treatment of urinary odoratissima Mozaff. and Levisticum retention. officinale W. D.