Cistanche Tublulosa Could Be Considered As Medicinal Plant in Halophytes Farming



Salehi M¹ ; Esmailzadeh SH² ; Kheyli SAG³ ; Malekshah AF^{4, 5, 6} ; Zaroudi M^{4, 6, 7} Show Affiliations
Source: Encyclopedia of Plant Science Volume: (12 Volume Set) Published:2020

Abstract

Cistanche spp., as a haloparisite and perennial herb, is distributed in different soil types of tropical and subtropical areas of Iran in central up to south parts of the country. In arid and semi-arid areas of Iran, seven Cistanche species have been identified as C. ambigue, C. fissa, C. flava, C. laxiflora, C. ridgewayana, C. salsa, and C. tubulosa. Among these species, the C. tublosa is very important and is widely distributed as haloparasite on different species of genera including Zygophyllum, Haloxylon, Calligonum, Prosopis, Pteropyrum, Tamarix, Seidlitzia, and Alhaji. In Iran, there is no report for using Cistanche as a medicinal crop, but in the northwest China and Mongolia, they grow Cistanche for commercial use where the rainfall is lower than 250 mm. Among the tonic, Chinese medicine, Cistanche is widely accepted as superior and has been given the name of Gineseng of the desert. The most popular Cistanche species are C. tubulosa, C. salsa and C. deserticola. Cistanche is rich in minerals, echinacoside, acteoside, and phenylethanoid glycoside. This haloparasite is an anti-aging medicinal crop, improves the immune system, kidney and skeletal function, and has positive impacts on male hormone and improves the reproductive function in women. Furthermore, Citanche improves brain functioning and increases fat metabolism. Cistanche species have been reported as endangered species because of decreasing host plant. In southern parts of Iran for combating dust storm, people have started growing halophyte plants and trees such as Tamarix with drainage water. C. tubulosa which is collected from the central plateau of Iran has shown a high amount of K, Mg, S, Ca and P and antioxidant capacity as well as six important phenylethanoid glycoside substrates. Cistanche could be recommended to improve the economy of the area and employment, which can also encourage the local people to plant more trees and protect them. © 2020 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.