Ethnobotanical and traditional uses, phytochemical constituents and biological activities of Eryngium species growing in Iran

Abstract

Highlights

Eryngium is the largest genus of Apiaceae family. Some remarkable biological and pharmacological activities of these species have been demonstrated in present scientific studies, including antimicrobial, cytotoxic and anticancer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antinociceptive activities as well as antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-snake and anti-scorpion venom effects.

Traditionality

Eryngium genus is one of the medicinal herbs mentioned in several Persian medicine references by the name of “ Qaracaane”. It contains 274 accepted species that are distributed all around the world especially in Europe, Africa, America and Australia. Ten species of Eryngium have been identified in Iran including E. caeruleum M.B. (syn: E. caucasicum Trautv.), E. creticum Lam., E. bungei Boiss., E. billardieri F. Delaroche. (syn: E. kotschyi Boiss.), E. glomeratum Lam. (syn: E. parviflorum Sm.), E. bornumulleri Nab., E. pyramidale Boiss. & Husson., E. noeanum Boiss., E. wanaturi Woron. (syn: E. woronowii Bordz.), and E. thyrsoideum Boiss. These species are distributed in all regions of Iran and especially are abundant in the northern provinces such as Gilan and Mazandaran.

Abstract

Objective: Eryngium with the 274 accepted species, is the largest genus of Apiaceae family which are distributed all over the world and have been used in traditional remedies to manage various ailments in different nations. Ten species of Eryngium have been identified in Iran including E. caeruleum M.B. (syn: E. caucasicum Trautv.), E. creticum Lam., E. bungei Boiss., E. billardieri F. Delaroche. (syn: E. kotschyi Boiss.), E. glomeratum Lam. (syn: E. parviflorum Sm.), E. bornumulleri Nab., E. pyramidale Boiss. & Husson., E. noeanum Boiss., E. wanaturi Woron. (syn: E. woronowii Bordz.), and E. thyrsoideum Boiss. The aim of the present research is to review pharmacological activity, and phytochemical constituents as well as ethnobotany and traditional uses of Iranian species of Eryngium. Materials and methods: Electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct (ISI Web of Knowledge) and Embase library were comprehensively searched for research on Eryngium. The search period was from 1966 to October 2018. The related articles were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criterias in our study. Results: A total of 57 papers were enrolled in analyses. The findings showed that Iranian species of Eryngium, had a noticeable diverse of traditional medicinal uses and also broad range of pharmacological activities as well as various phytochemical compounds. Some remarkable biological and pharmacological activities of these species have been demonstrated in present scientific studies, including antimicrobial, cytotoxic and anticancer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antinociceptive activities as well as antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-snake and anti-scorpion venom effects. Conclusion: Iranian Eryngium species have enormous potential for prospective preparation of herbal medicinal products and are good candidates for discovering new drugs.