Launaea spp.: An important medicinal plant genus from Sistan and Baloochestan, Iran

Abdolshakoor Raissi¹ Hossain Piri² Mina Arbabi³

1) 1Faculty of agriculture, Department of Horticulture, Velayat University
2) 1Faculty of agriculture, Department of Horticulture, Velayat University
3) PhD student of Medicinal Plants, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch,

Publication : 1st International Congress on Engineering Innovation and Development of Technology(iceiconf.ir)
Abstract :
Sistan and Baloochestan Province is located in south of Iran. This province is a rich center of various plants that many of them are not found in other places of Iran. Because of a large region of this province is Chorotype of Saharo-Sindian and Baloochi flora. Launaea spp. is a small genus of the family Asteraceae, consisting of 54 species. Plants in the Launaea genus have been used ethnobotanically as bitter stomachic, for treating diarrhea, gastrointestinal tracts, as anti inflammatory, for skin diseases, treatment of infected wounds, hepatic pains, diuretic and as insecticidal. Phytochemical screening of the crude extracts of Launaea spp. showed that Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Sesquiterpene lactones and Saponins, Isoquinoline, Terpenoids and Phytosterols were present in this plant. The known basic chromosome numbers present in Launaea are x = 9, 8, 7, 6 and 5. It is growing in dry, saline and sandy habitats. It is known to have low seed viability and reproduces asexually by sprouting vigorously from roots.
Keywords : Sistan and Baloochestan Medicinal plant Launaea spp.