• The current progress on the antidiabetic, antibacterial, anticancer and antiAlzheimer properties of the genus Tamarix: A review.
  • Hossein Aftabi,1,*
    1. Department of Biology, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman


  • Introduction: The current progress on the antidiabetic, antibacterial, anticancer and antiAlzheimer properties of the genus Tamarix: A review. Introduction: Tamarix (T.) species are known as medicinal plants, used as the possible medications for some diseases and the value of the medicinal plant products is exceeding $ 100 per year. Traditionally, the genus Tamarix is known as "Gaz" in Persian culture, is mentioned in Quran as "Athl or "Manna" (Chapter Baqara: 57 and Saba: 16) and is prescribed for several diseases in Persian medicine. The genus Tamarix (Tamaricaceae) includes 70-104 halophyte species, grows as shrubs to trees up to 18 meters in the salty environments (soils etc.) and is considered as the potential medications for several diseases. The main objective of the review is to compile the most recent data on the effects of the methalonic, ethalonic and aqueous extracts of Tamarix species for antidiabetic, antibacterial, anticancer and antiAlzheimer treatments.
  • Methods: Methods: This review is based on the available data in PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar data, by keywords of Tamarix, medicinal plants, diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer from 2004-2024 and reviewing the abstracts and conclusions of the papers. Some irrelevant papers were excluded and the most related ones on the genus Tamarix were considered for this paper. Apart from the above data, in order to identify the Tamarix species in Kerman city, 24 samples of Tamarix leaves and flowers around the Kerman city were collected during April 2024. The samples were dried under shade then pressed under carton papers for one month and finally, were submitted to the herbarium Laboratory of Biology Department, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran for systematics of Tamarix species.
  • Results: Results: This investigation highlights that the main composition of the genus Tamarix are flavonoids (18.0%), phenols (13.9%), tanins (9.3%), terpenoids (10.5%), essential oils (31.0%) and other organic components (17.5%). The results on the crude methalonic, ethalonic and aqueous extracts from the abovementioned compounds of the genus Tamarix show antioxidant and antidiabetic properties for the following diseases: Diabetes: It is recognized that diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that has no well-defined treatment, yet treatment by commercial α-glucosidase may lead to acute hepatitis. To overcome this adverse side effect, the methalonic and ethalonic extracts of leaves in T. aphylla, T. nilotica, T. dioica, T. gallica, T. articulata and T. stricta give considerable antidiabetic treatment by inhibiting α-glucosidase as well as α-amylase activities, digestion of carbohydrates and regulating the blood sugar levels. Bacterial and Fungal diseases: As a results of allergic side effects caused by antibiotics, the extracts of leaves and flowers in T. gallica, T. africana, T. aphylla, T. dioica, T.arabica, T. tetragyna and T. nilotica give significant antibacterial and antifungal medications. Cancer : Notably, syringic acid extracted from the Tamarix species, in particular T. dioica, T. hispida and T. ramosissima inhibits cell proliferation, in particular in rectal cancer cells. Alzheimer: The presence of antioxidants in the extracts of T. gallica, T. aphylla, T. africana, T. hispida and T. ramosissima diminishes the brain damages induced by the oxygen free radicals, thus provide a possible treatment for Alzheimers, s disease Rheumatoid Arthritis: It is noteworthy that ramosissimin or a flavonol extracts from the T. ramosissima is reported to induce cell death on the fibroblast-like synoviocytes and provide medicaments of rheumatoid arthritis. Liver fibrosis: There exist some data that methalonic and polyphenols extracts from T. ramosissima and T. hispida may have considerable potential for inhibiting the carcinogenesis of hepatocytes and protecting liver fibrosis. Lithiasis: Urinary minerals and stones are mostly of calcium-oxhalate. The acidic nature of extracts from T. hispida and T. ramaosissima can dissolve the minerals, thereby suppressing the nephroliths.
  • Conclusion: Conclusion: Tamarix species are salt-resistant plants that contain considerable components of flavonoids, phenols, tanins, terpentoids, volatile oils and others. The methalonic, ethalonic and aqueous extracts from the abovementioned species (e.g., T. ramosissima, etc.) offer potential medications for antidiabetic, antibacterial, anticancer, antiAlzheimer diseases. The occurrence of T. ramosissima and other species around the Kerman city merits further investigations on the DNA fingerprint atlas of these potential medicinal plants.
  • Keywords: Keywords. Tamarix species, T. ramosissima, Extracted medications, Tamarix DNA fingerprint atlas.