A REVIEW OF TRADITIONAL USES, PHYTOCHEMISTY AND PHARMACOLOGY OF CAPPARIS DECIDUA (FORSSK.) EDGEW: AN UNKNOWN MEDICINAL PLANT IN IRAN

Capparis decidua (Kair) is an important economic plant belonging to the family of Capparaceae. This plant is mainly found in desert areas, and is resistant to temperature, salinity, and drought stresses. This species is valuable for medicinal purposes, food (fruits and pickles), providing animal fodder, fuel wood, and timber. C. decidua is traditionally used as anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, anti-diabetic, anti-worm, anti-bacterial, anti-acne and blister, toothache relief, anti-fertility, and as an appetizer. It also has beneficial effects in the treatment of various diseases such as asthma, diabetes, liver disorders, blood cholesterol, high blood pressure and microbial infections. The present review introduces the traditional uses, herbal chemical compounds, and medicinal properties of this widely used plant.

The present study is a review article that was conducted by an electronic search in Civilica, SID, Springer, PubMed, Science Direct, and Willy.

These medicinal properties are due to the presence of herbal compounds such as alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, sterols, vitamins and fatty acids in the extract of different parts of Kair. In spite of its medicinal value, C. decidua has been neglected in both traditional medicine and scientific research in Iran.

A review of the studies conducted in Iran shows that the medicinal value of C. decidua in Iran has been neglected both in traditional medicine and in scientific research, and the present research can provide information to those interested in the field of medicinal plants. It can also provide the basis for further studies on this valuable plant.