A Comprehensive Review about Quercus infectoria G. Olivier Gall

Due to an interaction between gall wasp Andricus sternlichti Bellido and Quercus infectoria G.Olivier from Fagaceae, the oak galls with a wide range of industrial and pharmaceutical applications are produced. Quercus infectoria galls have been well-known by both ethnopharmacology and traditional medicine of Iran. The aim of current study was a comprehensive collection of Persian scholars' notions and recent findings about medicinal effects of this gall. Sixteen traditional manuscripts of one millennium were sought by two keywords (“Afs” and “Mazu”. Arabic and Persian names of Quercus gall, respectively), and relevant articles till October 2018 were reviewed. In traditional manuscripts, three main dosage forms from gall including decoction, powder, and poultice were found. They had been prescribed for about of thirty disorders. Except for one clinical trial, other articles described related to animal studies and antimicrobial effect evaluation. Since Quercus infectoria gall as an endemic natural product of Iran is a valuable source for export, ethnic usages and pharmaceutical applications, the outcomes of this study can be beneficial for researchers involved in development of natural medications.