Ethnobotanical Knowledge, Chemistry, and Pharmacology of the Asteraceae Family in Iran: A Review

Authors

  • Mohabat Nadaf Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Kosar University of Bojnord, Bojnord, Iran
  • Majid Halimi Khalil Abad Department of Chemistry, Kosar University of Bojnord, P.O.BOX 94156-15458 Bojnord, I.R of Iran
  • Reza Omidipour Department of Range and Watershed Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Ilam University, Ilam, I.R of Iran
  • Hamid Soorgi Department of Dermatology NKUMS, Bojnord, Bojnord, I.R of Iran
  • Ali Riahi-Madvar Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Kosar University of Bojnord, I.R of Iran
  • Elham Saleh Ghamari Education and Training Organization of North Khorasan Province, I.R of Iran

Abstract

Background: The Asteraceae family is one of the largest families of flowering plants, known for its diverse chemical compounds with significant biological activities. The majority of Asteraceae family members have therapeutic applications and have a long history in traditional medicine. The purpose of this study is to introduce the key medicinal species of this family and their chemical compounds that are used in traditional Iranian medicine.

Methods: Here, we reviewed scientific published studies in major scientific databases on the medicinal and chemical properties of Asteraceae family, emphasizing the ethnobotanical uses in Iran.

Results: This review selected 137 key Asteraceae family plants for their medicinal uses and chemical properties. The most frequently used parts were flower (26%) and leaves (21%). The most important preparations were decoction (44%) and infusion (33%). The genus Artemisia participates with the highest number of species (10 species) followed by Centurea (9 species). The most frequently cited medicinal species were used for digestive system treatment (18%) followed by the respiratory system (10%). Among the active substances that determine the biological activity of the plant material phenolic acid derivatives, flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones and other terpenoids, and polyacetylenes are some of the most commonly reported compounds from Asteraceae family plants.

Conclusions: In this research, ethnobotany knowledge about the uses of Asteraceae family plants has been collected so that it will be available to the next generations. Local people are using the plants for various purposes i.e. digestive system treatment, respiratory system, and nervous system. The precious ethnobotanical knowledge about these plants must be transferred to the younger generations. The data may be valuable in the future for pharmacological studies.

Keywords: Ethnobotany; Medicinal plants, Asteraceae, Phytochemistry, Plant Ecology.

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Published

2025-01-15

How to Cite

Nadaf, M., Halimi Khalil Abad, M., Omidipour, R., Soorgi, H. ., Riahi-Madvar, A. ., & Saleh Ghamari, E. . (2025). Ethnobotanical Knowledge, Chemistry, and Pharmacology of the Asteraceae Family in Iran: A Review. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 30, 1–27. Retrieved from https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/6544

Issue

Vol. 30 (2025)

Section

Reviews

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