The Scientific World Journal

Volume 2013 (2013), Article ID 219815, 33 pages

http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/219815

Review Article

Five Pistacia species (P. vera, P. atlantica, P. terebinthus, P. khinjuk, and P. lentiscus): A Review of Their Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology

Mahbubeh Bozorgi,¹ Zahra Memariani,¹ Masumeh Mobli,¹ Mohammad Hossein Salehi Surmaghi,1,2 Mohammad Reza Shams-Ardekani,1,2 and Roja Rahimi¹

¹Department of Traditional Pharmacy, Faculty of Traditional Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417653761, Iran

²Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417614411, Iran

Received 1 August 2013; Accepted 21 August 2013

Academic Editors: U. Feller and T. Hatano

Copyright © 2013 Mahbubeh Bozorgi et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract.

Pistacia, a genus of flowering plants from the family Anacardiaceae, contains about twenty species, among them five are more popular including P. vera, P. atlantica, P. terebinthus, P. khinjuk, and P. lentiscus. Different parts of these species have been used in traditional medicine for various purposes like tonic, aphrodisiac, antiseptic, antihypertensive and management of dental, gastrointestinal, liver, urinary tract, and respiratory tract disorders. Scientific findings also revealed the wide pharmacological activities from various parts of these species, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anticholinesterase, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antidiabetic, antitumor, antihyperlipidemic, antiatherosclerotic, and hepatoprotective activities and also their beneficial effects in gastrointestinal disorders. Various types of phytochemical constituents like terpenoids, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, and sterols have also been isolated and identified from different parts of Pistacia species. The present review summarizes comprehensive information concerning ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of the five mentioned Pistacia species.

1. Introduction

The genus Pistacia belongs to the Anacardiaceae, a cosmopolitan family that comprise about 70 genera and over 600 species. The species of the genus Pistacia are evergreen or deciduous resin-bearing shrubs and trees which are characterized as xerophytic trees and growing to 8–10 m tall. Pistacia lentiscus L., P. atlantica Desf., P. terebinthus L., P. vera L., and P. khinjuk Stocks. are distributed from the Mediterranean basin to central Asia [1, 2]. Three Pistacia species naturally occur in Iran: P. vera L., P. khinjuk Stocks., and P. atlantica Desf.; P. atlantica has three subspecies or varieties which have been described as cabulica, kurdica, and mutica [3]. P. vera is the only species of the genus cultivated commercially, and the rest of the species are mostly used as rootstocks for P. vera [1, 2].

Different parts of Pistacia species have been investigated for various pharmacological activities. Most of the papers are devoted to the resin of P. lentiscus that is known as mastic. In addition to their therapeutic effects, Pistacia species are used in food industry, for example, consumption of pistachio (P. vera) nut as food additive [4], P. terebinthus fruit as snack food or in making coffee-like drink [5, 6], and the anthocyanin composition of P. lentiscus fruit as food colorants [7].

Chemical studies on Pistacia genus have led to discovering diverse secondary metabolites in addition to high level of vitamins and minerals.

Our review presents a comprehensive report on phytochemical aspects, pharmacological activities, and toxicity of the genus Pistacia by focusing on the data reported since the year 2000 via papers on databases including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science.

2. Traditional Uses

Traditional uses, plant part used, and pharmacological activities of Pistacia lentiscus, P. atlantica, P. terebinthus, P. vera, and P. khinjuk from different regions are listed in Table 1.

Table 1: Ethnomedicinal uses of selected Pistacia species.

Species
Regions
Plant part(s) used
Traditional uses and ethnobotanical reports
Reference(s)

Pistacia lentiscus
Algeria
Leaf
Appetizer and astringent
[75]

Greece
Resin
Stomach ache, dyspepsia, stomach ulcer,

intestinal disorders, hepatic inflammation, tooth disease, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and diuretic
[33, 128, 129]

Aerial part
Stimulant, diuretic, hypertension, kidney stones, jaundice, cough, sore throat, eczema, and stomach ache
[88]

Iraq
Resin
Abdominal pain
[130]

Iran
Resin
Gum tissue strengthener, breath deodorizer, brain and liver tonic, and gastrointestinal ailments
[11, 100, 102]

Italy
Leaf
Toothache, mycosis, herpes, abdominal and intestinal pain, rheumatism, antiseptic, cicatrizant, emollient, expectorant, and astringent
[131, 132]

Jordan
Leaf
Jaundice
[121, 133]

Resin
Heart burn and stomach ache

Morocco
Leaf
Digestive disease, evil eye
[134]

Portugal
Leaf, bark
Gastric analgesic
[135]

Root
Antiseptic and antiodontalgic
[135]

Seeds
Antirheumatic
[135]

Stem
Buccal antiseptic
[135]

Spain
Aerial part
Hypertension
[136]

Fruit
Influenza
[71]

Leaf
Dermatophytosis in cows
[72]

Tender bud
Warts
[73]

Tunisia
Fruit
Edible usage, condiment, scabies,

Rheumatism, and antidiarrheal
[60]

Turkey
leaf
Eczema, diarrhea, throat infections, paralysis, kidney stones, Jaundice, asthma, stomach ache, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and stimulant
[96]

Pistacia atlantica
Algeria
Fruit
Stomach ache, cough, stress, tonic, and

antidiarrheal
[20, 63]

Greek
Fruit
Mouth flavouring, tanning, and as fodder
[31]

Iran
Aerial part
Veterinary
[31]

Fruit
Antidiarrheal
[11]

Resin
Peptic ulcer, mouth freshener, antiseptic, gum tissue strengthener, as chewing gum, appetizer, phlegm dissolver, astringent, laxative, demulcent, diuretic, emmenagogue, carminative, visceral inflammation, scabies, stomach, liver and kidneys tonic, gastrointestinal disorders, and motion sickness
[9]

Resin, bark
Joint pains, toothache, wound healing
[137]

Jordan
Fruit
Stomach ache
[133]

leaf
Antidiabetic
[109]

Morocco
Leaf
Eye infection
[134]

Resin
Gum tissue strengthener, breath deodorizer, cough, chill, and stomach disease
[27]

Turkey
Fruit
Mouth disease
[138]

leaf
As vegetables and food
[127]

Resin
Wound healing
[138]

Pistacia terebinthus
Greece
Resin
Antidote, aphrodisiac, expectorant, and treatment of leprosy
[139]

Iran
Resin
Smoke of it as air purifier and antiseptic
[140]

Leaf, bark
Astringent and antidiarrhea
[11]

Jordan
Resin
Diuretic, laxative, stimulant, and aphrodisiac
[18]

Leaf
Diuretic, antihypertensive, and treatment of jaundice
[18]

Spain
Aerial part
Hypotensive and cephalalgic
[141]

Branch
Antiseptic
[141]

Flower, leaf
Odontalgia and Dislocated joint
[142]

Fruit
Antiprostatitis
[141]

Turkey
Fruit
Cold, flu, diuretic, stomach ache, rheumatism, stimulant, antitussive, appetizer, as coffee, urinary inflammations, and

soap production
[29, 53, 138, 143]

Leaf
Stomach ache, mycosis, and antidiabetic
[29, 53, 144, 145]

Resin
Urinary and respiratory antiseptic, asthma, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory
[53]

Pistacia vera
Iran
Nut shell
Tonic, sedative, and antidiarrhea
[11]

Fruit
Food
[10]

Jordan
Oil
Facial skin cleanser
[133]

Turkey
Resin
Asthma, stomach ache, and hemorrhoids
[146]

Pistacia khinjuk
Iran
Aerial part
Veterinary use
[147]

Resin
Stomach discomfort, nausea, vomiting, and motion sickness
[148]

Different parts of Pistacia species including resin, leave, fruit, and aerial part have been traditionally used for a wide range of purposes. Among them, P. lentiscus is the most commonly used in different regions and resin of that has been utilized for as long as 5000 years. Resin of P. lentiscus has been used for variety of gastric ailments in the Mediterranean and Middle East countries for the last 3000 years [8]. It was used in ancient Egypt as incense; it has also been used as a preservative and breath sweetener [4] Most of the traditional uses reports for resin of P. atlantica are from Iran and have been used for the treatment of digestive, hepatic, and kidney diseases [9]. Fruit of P. vera (pistachio) is used all over the world. Records of the consumption of pistachio as a food date to 7000 BC [4]. Pistachio is cultivated in the Middle East, United States, and Mediterranean countries. Iran is one of the biggest producers and exporters of pistachio nuts [10]. In traditional Iranian medicine (TIM), different parts of P. vera, P. atlantica, P. khinjuk P. terebinthus, and P. lentiscus have been used for a long time as useful remedies for different diseases, for example, the fruit kernel of P. vera as a cardiac, stomach, hepatic, and brain tonic; the fruits of P. atlantica, P. khinjuk, and P. terebinthus for their aphrodisiac activity and treatment of liver, kidney, heart, and respiratory system disorders, and the gum resin of P. lentiscus, P. atlantica, P. khinjuk, and P. terebinthus for their wound healing activity, and treatment of brain and gastrointestinal disorders [9, 11].

3. Phytochemical Studies

Various compounds from different phytochemical groups were identified in Pistacia species. These are summarized below and also in Table 2 based on the structure of finding components.

Table 2: Chemical compounds isolated from selected Pistacia species.

Name of compound
Structure
Species
Plant part
References

Monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, and volatile oil

1
-pinene

P.  vera  

Leaf and unripe fruit

Resin
[14]

[12, 15]

P.  terebinthus
Fruit

Aerial part
[16]

[17]

P. terebinthus  

var. palaestina
Leaf and gall
[18]

P.  lentiscus var. chia
Resin
[19]

P.  lentiscus     
Leaf

Fruit

Aerial part
[20]

[21]

[22–24]

P.  atlantica     
Leaf, fruit, and gall

Resin
[25]

[26, 27]

2
Limonene

P.  vera
Leaf
[28]

Fruit
[28]

Resin
[12]

P.  terebinthus
Unripe and ripe fruits
[29]

P.  lentiscus
Fruit
[28]

Leaf
[28, 36]

3
Terpinolene

P.  vera  

P.  atlantica
Leaf

Leaf
[28]

[28]

4
-Ocimene

5
-Ocimene

P.  vera 

P.  terebinthus
Leaf

Unripe and ripe fruits

Leaf
[28]

[18]

[28]

6
Terpinen-4-ol

P.  terebinthus
Leaf
[30]

P.  atlantica
Unripe fruits
[31]

Leaf  
[27, 31]

P.  lentiscus
Aerial parts
[22]

Leaf
[30, 35]

7
p-Cymene

P.  terebinthus
Young shoots
[29]

8
Bornyl acetate

P.  atlantica
Fruits
[27]

9
Sabinene

P.  atlantica
Fruits
[28]

Unripe fruits
[31]

Leaf buds
[31]

P.  lentiscus
Fruits

Leaf
[28]

10
Myrcene

P.  atlantica
Unripe fruits
[31]

Leaf
[31]

P.  lentiscus
Fruits
[34, 36]

Leaf

11
p-Mentha-1 (7),8 diene

P.  atlantica
Leaf

Leaf buds
[31]

[31]

12
-carene

P.  atlantica
Unripe galls
[32]

13
Verbenone

P.  lentiscus
Mastic water 

Mastic oil
[33] 

  [19]

14
-terpineol

P.  lentiscus
Mastic water

Mastic oil
[33] 

  [19]

15
Linalool

P.  lentiscus
Mastic water
[33]

16
Trans-pinocarveol

P.  lentiscus
Mastic water
[33]

17
-pinene

P.  lentiscus
Resin
[30]

18
Camphene

P.  vera
Resin
[12]

19
Carvacrol

P.  vera
Resin
[12]

20
Germacrene-D

P.  lentiscus  

P.  terebinthus
Leaf

Flowers
[28]

[29]

21
-caryophyllene

P.  terebinthus
Leaf
[28]

P.  lentiscus
Leaf
[34]

Galls
[24]

22
Spathulenol

P.  atlantica  

P.  khinjuk
Leaf

Leaf
[37]

[38]

23
Longifolene

P.  lentiscus
Aerial parts
[39]

Diterpenoids

24
Abietadiene

P.  vera
Resin
[12]

25
Abietatriene

P.  vera
Resin
[12]

Triterpenoids

26
Masticadienonic acid

P.  lentiscus  

P.  terebinthus 

P.  atlantica
Resin

Resin

Resin
[40]

[41]

[42]

27
Masticadienolic acid

P.  lentiscus  

P.  terebinthus 

P.  atlantica
Resin

Resin

Resin
[40]

[41]

[42]

28
Morolic acid

P.  lentiscus  

P.  terebinthus 

P.  atlantica
Resin

Resin

Resin
[40]

[41]

[42]

29
Oleanolic acid

P.  lentiscus  

P.  terebinthus 

P.  atlantica
Resin

Resin

Resin
[40]

[41]

[42]

30
Ursonic acid

P.  atlantica
Resin
[42]

31
Tirucallol

P.  lentiscus  

P.  terebinthus
Resin

Resin
[40]

[41]

32
Dammaradienone

P.  lentiscus  

P.  terebinthus
Resin

Resin
[40]

[41]

33
-Amyrin

P.  lentiscus  

  P.  terebinthus
Resin

Resin
[40]

[41]

34
Lupeol

P.  lentiscus  

P.  terebinthus
Resin

Resin
[40]

[41]

35
3-O-acetyl-3-epiisomasticadienolic acid

P.  atlantica
Resin
[42]

Phenolic compounds

36
Gallic acid

P.  vera 

P.  lentiscus 

P.  atlantica
Seed and skin

Leaf

Fruit

Gall and Leaf
[44] 

[45] 

[52]

[46]

37
Catechin

P.  vera            P.  lentiscus
Seed and skin

Leaf
[44] 

[45]

38
Epicatechin

P.  vera
Seed and skin
[44]

39
Digallic acid

P.  lentiscus
Fruits
[47]

40
3-(8-Pentadecenyl)-phenol

P.  vera
Kernel
[48]

41
Trans-resveratrol

P.  vera
Kernel
[49–51]

42
Cis-resveratrol

P.  vera
Kernel
[49]

43
3,4,5-Tri-O-galloyl quinic acid

P.  lentiscus
Leaf
[45]

44
Monogalloyl glucose

P.  lentiscus
Leaf
[45]

45
1,2,3,4,6-Pentagalloyl glucose

P.  lentiscus
Fruit
[52]

46
Naringenin

P.  vera
Seed and skin
[44]

47
Eriodictyol

P.  vera
Seed and skin
[44]

48
Daidzein

P.  vera
Seed and skin
[44]

49
Genistein

P.  vera
Seed and skin
[44]

50
Quercetin

P.  vera
Seed and skin
[44]

51
Kaempferol

P.  vera
Seed and skin
[44]

52
Apigenin

P.  vera
Seed and skin
[44]

53
Luteolin

P.  vera
Seed and skin
[44]

54
Quercetin-3-O-rutinoside

P.  vera
Seed and skin
[44]

55
6′-Hydroxyhypolaetin 3′-methyl ether

P.  terebinthus
Fruits
[53]

56
Quercetin-3-glucoside

P.  atlantica  

P.  lentiscus
Aerial parts
[54]

57
3-Methoxycarpachromene

P.  atlantica
Aerial parts
[55]

58
Myricetin-3-glucoside

P.   khinjuk
Aerial parts
[54]

59
Myricetin-3-galactoside

P.   khinjuk
Aerial parts
[54]

60
Myricetin-3-rutinoside

P.   khinjuk
Aerial parts
[54]

61
Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside

P.  vera  

P.  lentiscus  

Skin 

Nuts  

Berries  

leaves
[44]

[56]

[57]

[7]

[45]

62
Cyanidin-3-galactoside

P.  vera
Skin

Nuts
[44, 56]

[57]

63
Delphinidin-3-O-glucoside

P.  lentiscus
Berries

Leaves
[7]

[45]

3.1. Terpenoids

3.1.1. Monoterpenoids, Sesquiterpenoids, and Volatile Oil

Essential oil is one of the main components reported from different parts of Pistacia species including leaves, resin, ripe and unripe fruits, galls, leaf-buds, twigs, and flowers. Analysis of essential oils is mostly performed by means of gas-chromatography (GC) based techniques. There are many qualitative and quantitative variations between the content of essential oils. These variations are related to several parameters like plant species and part, sex of cultivars, harvesting time, geographical origin, and climatic conditions [12, 13]. Hydrocarbon and oxygenated monoterpens are the major chemical constituents in essential oil and among hydrocarbon monoterpens, α-pinene (1) has been reported as the main compound of some samples like P. vera [12, 14, 15], P. terebinthus [16–18], P. lentiscus [19–24], and P. atlantica [25–27]. In addition to α-pinene, other major components isolated from different parts of Pistacia species are as follows: limonene (2), α-terpinolene, and ocimene (3,4) from fruits and leaves of P. vera [28]; (E)-β-Ocimene (5) and limonene in fruits [18, 28, 29]; (E)-β-Ocimene and terpinen-4-ol (6) in leaves and p-cymen, (7) in young shoots of P. terebinthus [28–30]; bornyl acetate (8), terpinen-4-ol, sabinene (9), and myrcene (10) in fruits, terpinen-4-ol, myrcene, p-mentha-1 (7),8 diene (11), and ocimene from leaves [27, 28, 31], sabinene and p-mentha-1 (7),8 diene in leaf buds, and -carene (12) in unripe galls of P. atlantica [31, 32]. Monoterpens are also detected in mastic water which was separated from the mastic oil during steam distillation. Verbenone (13), α-terpineol (14), linalool (15), and trans-pinocarveol (16) are the main constituents of mastic water [33]. β-pinene (17) in oleoresin, β-myrcene and sabinene in fruits [28, 30, 34], terpinen-4-ol in aerial parts [22], and limonene, myrcene, sabinene, and teroinen-4-ol in leaves of P. lentiscus were determined as the main composition [28, 30, 35, 36].

Some of the other monoterpenes identified as effective antibacterial components of these essential oils are camphene (18), limonene, and carvacrol (19) from P. vera resin [12].

Sesquiterpenes isolated in lower amount compared with monoterpenes. Germacrene-D (20) and β-caryophyllene (21) were identified in P. lentiscus and P. terebinthus leaves with higher concentration in comparison with other sesquiterpenes [28]. Spathulenol (22), an azulenic sesquiterpene alcohol, is the predominant component of leaves of P. atlantica and P. khinjuk [37, 38]. Congiu et. al. [34] recovered Caryophyllene with the highest amount from P. lentiscus leaves by means of supercritical CO₂ extraction. Germacrene-D in P. terebinthus flowers, β-caryophyllene in P. lentiscus galls, and Longifolene (23) in aerial parts of P. lentiscus are dominant [24, 29, 39].

3.1.2. Diterpenoids

Trace amounts of Diterpenoids were isolated from the essential oil of these species. Abietadiene (24) and abietatriene (25) were detected in essential oil of P. vera resin [12].

3.1.3. Triterpenoids

Resin of these species has been characterized by penta and tetracyclic triterpenes. Triterpenes such as masticadienonic acid (26), masticadienolic acid (27), morolic acid (28), oleanolic acid (29), ursonic acid (30) and their derivatives have been detected in acidic fractions of P. lentiscus, P. terebinthus, and P. atlantica resins [40–42]. Several triterpenoid compounds were isolated from neutral fraction of P. lentiscus and P. terebinthus resins like tirucallol (31), dammaradienone (32), β-Amyrin (33), lupeol (34), oleanolic aldehyde, and 28-norolean-12-en-3-one. Quantitative and qualitative varieties in chemical composition of resins according to the method of collection were reported [40, 41].

Anti-inflammatory properties have been reported from masticadienolic acid, masticadienonic acid, and morolic acid isolated from P. terebinthus [43]. Among triterpenes isolated from the resin of three sub-species of P. atlantica (kurdica, cabulica and mutica), 3-O-acetyl-3-epiisomasticadienolic acid (35) has been identified as the most effective antimicrobial agent [42].

3.2. Phenolic Compounds

Gallic acid (36), catechin (37), epicatechin (38), and gallic acid methyl ester were identified in P. vera seed and skin, leaves of P. lentiscus and leaves and galls of P. atlantica [44–46]. Bhouri et al. [47] demonstrated that digallic acid (39) from fruits of P. lentiscus has anti-mutagenic properties. Monounsaturated, diunsaturated, and saturated cardanols have been detected in P. vera kernel. 3-(8-Pentadecenyl)-phenol (40) was the dominating cardanol in P. vera [48]. Trans and cis isomers of phytoalexin, resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxystilbene) (41-42), and trans-resveratrol-3-O-β-glucoside (trans-piceid) were quantified in P. vera kernel [49–51]. P. lentiscus leaf is a rich source of polyphenol compounds (7/5% of leaf dry weight) especially galloyl derivatives like mono, di, and tri-O-galloyl quinic acid (43) and monogalloyl glucose (44) [45].

1,2,3,4,6-Pentagalloyl glucose (45) and gallic acid from fruits of P. lentiscus were introduced as antioxidant and anti-mutagenic compounds [52].

Flavonoid compounds have been detected in different parts of these species. Naringenin (46), eriodyctyol (47), daizein (48), genistein (49), quercetin (50), kaempferol (51), apigenin (52), and luteolin (53) were isolated from P. vera fruit, and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (54) is the main constituent of seed [44]. Decrease in flavonoid content of P. vera has been reported during the fruit ripening [51]. In addition to some known flavonoids isolated from P. terebinthus and P. atlantica fruits, 6′-hydroxyhypolaetin 3′-methyl ether (55) has been identified in fruits of P. terebinthus [46, 53]. Flavonoids were also isolated from aerial parts of P. atlantica and P. lentiscus, and quercetin-3-glucoside (56) was reported as the most abundant one [54]. 3-Methoxycarpachromene (57), a flavone with antiplasmodial activity, was isolated from aerial parts of P. atlantica [55].

Myricetin-3-glucoside (58), myricetin-3-galactoside (59), and myricetin-3-rutinoside (60) are the major flavonoid glycosides from P. khinjuk [54]. Myricetin derivatives also were determined as 20% of the total polyphenol amount of P. lentiscus leaves [45].

Anthocyanins have been reported from some Pistacia species. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (61), cyanidin-3-galactoside (62), and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside are the main anthocyanins of P. vera fruit [44, 56, 57]. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and delphinidin-3-O-glucoside (63) have been detected in P. lentiscus berries and leaves [7, 45].

3.3. Fatty Acids and Sterols

Pistacia species have oleaginous fruits considered by several researchers. The oil content in P. vera kernel and seed is about 50–60% [58, 59] and in ripe fruits of P. lentiscus, P. terebinthus, and P. atlantica is 32.8–45% [60–63]. The main fatty acid in seed and kernel of P. vera is oleic acid [58, 64, 65]. Oleic acid has been also determined as the most abundant fatty acid in oil of P. atlantica and P. terebinthus fruits [62, 66, 67]. Increase of oleic acid and decrease of linoleic acid have been recorded during ripening of P. lentiscus fruits [60]. Other fatty acids identified in these species are linolenic, palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, myristic, eicosanoic, behenic, lignoceric, arachidonic, pentadecanoic, hexadecanoic, octadecanoic, and margaric acid [58, 66, 68].

The most abundant sterol reported in fruits of P. vera, P. atlantica, P. lentiscus, and P. terebinthus is β-sitosterol fallowed by campesterol, -avenasterol, stigmasterol, brassicasterol, and cholesterol [59, 60, 69, 70].

The oil from fruits of P. atlantica, P. lentiscus, and P. terebinthus, in addition to its desirable odor and taste, has been recommended as a new source for production of vegetable oils concerning the high amount of mono-unsaturated and omega-3 fatty acids like oleic acid and linolenic acid and high quantity of phytosterols like β-sitosterol [60, 68].

3.4. Miscellaneous

Chlorophylls a and b and lutein are the major colored components of P. vera nuts [56]. Pheophytin, β-carotene, neoxanthin, luteoxanthin, and violaxanthin were also determined in different samples of P. vera nuts [71]. α-tocopherol was determined in leaves of P. lentiscus, P. lentiscus var. chia, and P. terebithus [72]. Tocopherols and tocotrienols are the most abundant constituents of unsaponifiable matter of P. atlantica hull oil [73]. Different isomers of tocopherol, tocotrienol, and plastochromanol-8 have been identified in seed oil of P. terebinthus [70]. Evaluating the nutritional composition of P. terebinthus fruits illustrates the richness of this fruit in protein, oil, minerals, and fiber [62, 68].

4. Pharmacological Aspects

Different pharmacological activities of five mentioned Pistacia species have been described in detail in Table 3.

Table 3: Pharmacological activities of selected Pistacia species.

Pharmacological activity
Plant
Plant part
Assay
Extract/essential oil/isolated component
Dose or

concentration
Observations
Ref.

Antioxidant
P.  lentiscus
Fruits
In vitro DPPH method
Polyphenols:

galic acid (GA)

and 1,2,3,4,6 pentagalloyl-glucose (PGA)
1, 3, 10, 30, and

100 µg/mL
Dose dependent radical scavenging activity of GA (IC50: 2 µg/mL) and PGA (IC50: 1 µg/mL)
[52]

Xanthine oxidase inhibition
100, 200, and 300 µg/mL
formation of uric acid and superoxide anions (O2-) by increasing concentrations of both GA and PGA

Inhibition of lipid peroxidation induced by H₂O₂ in K562 cell line
200, 400, and 800 µg/mL for GA and 100, 200, and 400 µg/mL for PGA
Dose dependent inhibition by GA (IC50: 220 µg/mL) and PGA (IC50: 200 µg/mL)

Leaf
Reducing power
Seven different extracts

(1) Ethanol,

(2) Ethyl acetate,

(3) Aqueous/ethyl acetate,

(4) Hexane,

(5) Aqueous/hexane,

(6) Chloroform,

(7) Aqueous/chloroform

100 µg/mL
Higher activity of aqueous fractions from hexane and chloroform than standards (BHA and -tocopherol)
[75]

Linoleic acid peroxidation
100 µg/mL
Inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation by aqueous extracts from chloroform and hexane comparable to those of the standard (BHA)

DPPH method
10–100 µg/mL
High scavenging activity (90%) equivalent to that of the standard BHA (89%) by all extracts except chloroform

Scavenging activity against hydrogen peroxide
100 µg/mL
High scavenging capacity against H₂O₂ comparable to standards (-tocopherol and BHA)

Aerial parts
DPPH method
Essential oil
0.2, 0.4, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mM
Antioxidant activity ranged between 0.52 and 4.61 mmol/L
[74]

DPPH method
Methanolic

extracts
100, 80, 50, 30, 20, 10, and 5 mg/L
IC50 ranged between 5.09 and 11.0 mg/L
[23]

FRAP assay

5000 mg/L
Activity ranged between 84.6 and 131.4 mmol Fe2+/L plant extract; IC50: 5.09–11.0 (mg/L)

P.  lentiscus var. chia
Resin
Oil oxidation assay by the oven test
Resin solution in dichloromethane
0.05, 0.1, and 0.15% w/w
Significant antioxidant activity
[149]

P.  lentiscus
Fruit
ABTS
Digallic acid
0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 mg/mL
Free radical scavenging activity towards the ABTS + radical was 99% at 0.2 mg/mL
[47]

Xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition and superoxide scavenging activity
50, 100, and 150 µg/mL
21% XO inhibitory activity at 150 µg/mL; 28% reduction of superoxide anion activity

TBARs
200, 400, and 800 µg/mL
lipid peroxidation (IC50: 178 µg/mL)

Gum
Electron-spin resonance Spectroscopy for the determination of hydroxyl radical by Fenton reaction
Mastic in water
ND
Effectively scavenged hydroxyl radical generated by the

Fenton reaction
[76]

Nitrate/nitrite

colorimetric assay
0–3 mg/mL
No nitric oxide scavenging activity

P.  lentiscus  var. chia, P.  terebinthus.  var. chia
Gum
Copper-induced LDL oxidation
Hexane and methanol/water extracts
2.5, 5, 10, 25, and 50 mg/2 mL
LDL protective activity;

methanol/water extract of P.  lentiscus showed the most LDL protection
[77]

P.  lentiscus
Leaf
Reduction power activity
Ethanolic extract
0.25; 0.5; 0.75;

1; 2; 3 mg/mL
Reducing power comparable to ascorbic acid
[88]

Pyrogallol autoxidation method
ND
Superoxide anions scavenging activity

P.  atlantica.
Leaf
Reduction power activity
Ethanolic extracts
0.25; 0.5; 0.75;

1; 2; 3 mg/mL
Reducing power close to values observed by ascorbic acid
[88]

Pyrogallol autoxidation method
ND
Superoxide anions scavenger at a concentration as low as 0.0625 mg/mL

P.  atlantica  

subsp. mutica
Hull
FRAP test
The unsaponifiable matter (USM) of fruit’s hull oil
100 mg in 10 mL of n-hexane
Significant reducing power; the highest reducing power amongst the USM fractions belonged to the tocopherols and tocotrienols and linear and triterpenic alcohols respectively
[80]

DPPH radical-scavenging assay
ND

EC50 value significantly lower than α-tocopherol

Oven test
ND
Significant stabilizing effect

P.  atlantica
Leaf
(1) Reducing power

(2) Chelating abilities on metallic ions

(3) Radical scavenging

Activity (DPPH)

(4) The total antioxidant activity (thiocyanate method in linoleic acid emulsion)

(5) Hydrogen peroxide

scavenging activity
Decoction
(1) 20–100 μg/mL

(2) 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.0 mg/mL

(3) 5–25 μg/mL

(4) 100 μg/mL

(5) 100 μg/mL
(1) Reducing power of significantly higher than -tocopherol and BHT and nearly similar to BHA

(2) The chelating activity of 1.0 mg/mL was nearly fourfold less than EDTA at 0.037 mg/mL and has slightly effective capacity for iron binding

(3) 85% inhibition rate at 15 μg/mL. nearly similar to ascorbic acid and BHA

(4) Higher antioxidant activity than -tocopherol and similar to BHA, BHT, and trolox

(5) Concentration-dependent scavenging compared to BHA, BHT, and -tocopherol
[78]

P.  atlantica  

subsp. mutica
Fruit hull
Rancimat

test
-Hexane extract
Different percentages (up to 15%)
The antioxidant activity of hull oil was exactly the same as that of TBHQ at low concentrations
[79]

P.  atlantica
Leaf
DPPH test
Essential oil
50 µL
Weak radical scavenging activity
[32]

FRAP test
ND
Higher antioxidant capacity relative to ascorbic acid

P.  vera
Fruit hull
Oven test
Water and methanol extracts
0.02%, 0.04%, and 0.06% in soybean oil
Effective in retarding oil deterioration at 60°C; at concentration of 0.06%, similar to BHA and BHT added at 0.02%.
[81]

P.  vera L., var. Bronte
Kernel
ABTS radical cation decolorization assay
Methanol/water or

Dichloromethane
ND
The antioxidant activity of the lipophilic extract was much lower than hydrophilic one
[82]

Lipid peroxidation

(TBARS assay)
Hydrophilic extract
0.25, 0.5, or 1.0 mg/mL
Radical scavenging activity in a dose-dependent manner

Copper-mediated LDL oxidation
Hydrophilic extract
Extracts from 30, 60, or 100 µg of nut
Inhibition of LDL oxidation

Seed and skin (hull)
DPPH assay
Methanol/water extract
0.050–12.00 mg/mL
Radical scavenging activity
[44]

Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay

(ABTS radical)
ND
Antioxidant power: 0 and  mmol Trolox/g of seeds and skins, respectively

Scavenging activity against the superoxide anion
ND
IC50 of and  mg for seeds and skins, respectively

P.  vera
Gum
TBARS and FRAP in rat
Extract
0.1–0.5 g/kg
brain MDA level by 63% and antioxidant power of brain by 235%
[83]

Hull
DPPH assay
Aqueous
1, 1.5, 2,5, 3,5 and 4 μg/mL
Concentration-dependent radical scavenging activity
[150]

ABTS assay
ND
Scavenging capacity of crude and purified extracts was higher than standards compounds (TBHQ and BHT)

-carotene bleaching method
0.48–9.5 μg/mL
Concentration-dependent antioxidant capacity

P.  terebinthus
Leaf
Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay (ABTS/K2S8O2 method)
Ethanol-water extract
ND
Considerably higher antioxidant activity compared with BHA and ascorbic acid
[84]

Fruits
DPPH test
Acetone and methanol extracts
25, 50 and 100 µg/mL
High radical scavenging activity
[53]

Total antioxidant activity in -carotene-linoleic acid system
25, 50 and 100 µg
Isolated pure 60-hydroxyhypolaetin-30-methyl

Ether showed higher antioxidant activity than both extracts and BHT

Superoxide anion scavenging activity
50 µg
Both extracts had scavenging activity near to ascorbic acid; higher activity of methanol extract than acetone extract

FRAP
0.2–1 µg/mL
Higher reducing power of methanol extract than -tocopherol; acetone extract reducing power was equal to that of -tocopherol

Metal chelating activity
1000–4000 µg/mL
Methanol extract had higher activity than acetone extract

Fruits and 4 terebinth coffee brands
DPPH radical scavenging activity
Ethyl acetate and methanol extracts
250, 500, 1000 and 2000 µg/mL
High scavenging effect especially at 2000 μg/mL
[85]

DMPD radical scavenging activity
Scavenging effect lower than that of quercetin

H₂O₂ radical scavenging activity
Inactive in scavenging H₂O₂ radical

Metal-chelation effect
Remarkable metal-chelation properties as compared to

EDTA

FRAP assay
High reducing power

PRAP assay
High reducing power

Antimutagenic
P.  lentiscus
Leaf
Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-induced mutagenicity in S.  typhimurium TA 100
Essential oil
250, 500 and 1000 µg/plate
Mutagenic inhibition of 76.7% by 250, 82.8% by 500, and 96.5% by 1000 µg/plate
[86]

(AFB1)-induced mutagenicity in S.  typhimurium TA100 or TA98
Essential oil
0.3, 250, 500, 1000 µg/plate

In TA100: 76, 82.8, and 96.5%, mutagenic inhibition rate for 250, 500, and 1000 µg/plate, respectively; in TA98: 99 and 100% mutagenic inhibition rate with 250 and 500 µg/plate
[87]

Aqueous extract
0.3, 50, 300, 600 µg/plate
50 µg/plate: 23% inhibition in TA100 and 52.2% in TA98; 300 and 600 µg/plate: 67.7 and 87.8% for TA100 and 58–76.8% for TA98

Flavonoid-enriched extract extracts
50, 300, 600 µg/plate
TA100: 47, 75.3, and 88.6% inhibition by 50, 300, and 600 µg/plate, respectively; TA98: 62.5, 77, and 93.5% inhibition by 50, 300, and 600 µg/plate, respectively

Sodium azide-

induced mutagenicity

in S.  typhimurium TA1535 and TA100
Essential oil
1.5, 10, 15, 30 µg/Plate
TA100: 79, 83, and 94% inhibition by 10, 15, and 30 µg/plate, respectively; TA1535:, 62, 76, and 93% inhibition by 10, 15, and 30 µg/plate, respectively

Aqueous extract
1.5, 50, 300, 600 µg/plate
TA100: 92, 96, and 98% inhibition by 50, 300, and 600 µg, respectively; TA 1535: 62, 80, and 94% for the same concentrations

Flavonoid-enriched extract extracts
50, 300, 600 µg/plate
50 and 300 µg/plate: from 54 to 68% inhibition in TA1535 and from 84 to 93% in TA100

Anitmicrobial and antiviral
P.  lentiscus
Leaf
Disc diffusion
Essential oil
0.03, 0.15, 0.62, 2.5, 10.0, 40.0 mg/mL
Noticeable activity against S. enteritidis  (MIC: 30 µg/mL) and St.  aureus  (30 µg/mL); less important activity against S. typhimurium, (MIC: 150 µg/mL);

No significant inhibitory activity towards Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus faecalis
[86]

Disc diffusion
Ethanolic extract
5 and 10 μL
No effect on Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. Significant inhibition against Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhi
[88]

Disc diffusion
Ethanolic extract
50, 100, 500 μL, and 1 mL
Inhibiting activity on Trichoderma sp and Fusarium sp
[88]

Disc diffusion
Aqueous extract
ND
Most active against S. typhimurium, (MIC: 4 μg/mL), significant inhibitory activity towards P. aeruginosa and S. enteritidis (MIC: 40 μg/mL), and no activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and Ent. faecalis up to 1000 μg/mL
[87]

Disc diffusion
Total oligomer flavonoid-enriched extract
ND
TOF extract exhibited antibacterial activity only against S. typhimurium  (MIC: 100 μg/mL)

Microdilution agar
Essential oil
ND
Activity against S. enteritidis, S. typhimurium, and S. aureus (MICs between 30 and 620 μg/mL). No effect on Ent. foecalis, P. aeruginosa, and E. coli up to 1000 μg/mL

P.  lentiscus  var. chia
Gum
Disc diffusion
Essential oil and its fractions and components
ND
Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis were resistant to -pinene. E. coli is resistant to -myrcene, S. aureus showed an intermediate response, and B. subtilis is sensitive to it. p-Cymene, -caryophyllene, methyl isoeugenol, limonene, -terpinene, and trans-anethole showed moderate antibacterial activity, and in some cases, the bacteria were resistant to them. E. coli and S. aureus were resistant to -pinene, slightly inhibited B. subtilis.

Verbenone, R-terpineol, and linalool showed higher antibacterial activity than other components
[19]

Gum
Disc diffusion
Mastic gum water (MWR) and its major constituents
MWR (58 mg/mL), (−)-trans-pinocarveol (13 mg/mL), (−)-linalool (37.6 mg/mL), -linalool (36.6 mg/mL), (−)-verbenone (29.5 mg/mL), and (+)--terpineol (29.2 mg/mL)
The broadest average inhibition zones were for E. coli and S. aureus by (+)--terpineol and -linalool compared to the positive control (gentamicin 10 µg); significant antifungal activity against Candida albicans by MWR
[33]

Microdilution

4%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.25%, 0.125%, 0.063%, and

0.032% (v/v)
The most potent antimicrobial constituents were -linalool and -terpineol against E. coli and S. aureus. Significant antifungal activity of MWR, -linalool, (−)-verbenone, and (+)--terpineol against C. albicans

P.  lentiscus
Gum
ND
Liquid mastic
2% liquid mastic
Activity against Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella melaninogenica
[76]

Human T-cell leukemia MT-4 cells infected with HIV-1IIIB; viable cell number determination by MTT assay
Solid and liquid mastic
Solid mastic: 0–200 μg/mL; liquid mastic: 0–0.0006%
Neither solid nor liquid mastic had any anti-HIV activity compared to positive controls

Pistacia lentiscus  var. chia
Gum
Microdilution
Total mastic extract without polymer (TMEWP),

acidic and neutral fractions
MEWP: 0.049 to 1.560 mg/mL, fractions: 0.060 to 1.920 mg/mL
The acidic fraction exhibited the highest activity against Helicobacter pylori followed by the TMEWP and neutral fraction
[33]

In vivo administration of extract in infected mice with H. pylori
Total mastic extract without polymer (TMEWP)
180 µg/mL
Moderately reduced H. pylori colonization in the antrum and corpus of the mice stomach. Visible reduction in H. pylori colonization observed in histopathology evaluations

P.  lentiscus, 

P.  atlantica 

(sp.  cabulica, kurdica, and mutica)
Gum
Broth microdilution
Isolated components of the acidic fractions of the gum
ND
The MIC values for the components ranged from 0.1 to 50 μg/mL against the strains of H. pylori and all Gram-negative bacteria including Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Alcaligenes faecalis, Enterobacter aerogenes Pseudomonas fluorescens, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Proteus vulgaris and ranged from 2 to 100 μg/mL against Gram-positive bacteria including Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus subtilis, and Corynebacterium sp
[151]

P.  atlantica  

(sp. kurdica)
Gum
ND
Essential oil,

-pinene
ND
Against all tested bacteria mentioned in previous row, MIC values for essential oil and pure -pinene ranged 500–1000 mg/mL
[152]

P.  atlantica
Leaf and twig
Modified [³H]-hypoxanthine incorporation assay

Flavone 3-methoxycarpachromene from ethyl acetate extract
0.8 and 4.9 µg/mL
IC50 of 3.4 µM against P.  falciparum K1 strain where the positive controls artemisinin and chloroquine had IC50s of 3.6 and 89 nM, respectively
[55]

Leaf and fruit derm
Disk diffusion method
Methanol, ethanol,

ethanol + water, and water extracts
25, 50 and 75 mg/mL
Dose dependent activity against E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis; less activity in comparison with gentamicin (10 μg/disk), tobramycin (10 μg/disk), and kanamycin (30 μg/disk)
[91]

Leaf
Disc diffusion
Ethanolic extract
5 and 10 μL
Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli were not sensitive to the extract. Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhi showed a sensitizing effect at the 5 μL and a very significant effect at 10 μL
[88]

Disc diffusion
Ethanolic extract
(50, 100, 500 μL, and 1 mL) of ethanolic extract (0.338 g/mL)
No inhibiting activity was observed against Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus stolonifer, Trichoderma sp,  Fusarium sp and Aspergillus flavus

Gall
Disc diffusion
Aqueous extract
4.9 mg
Activity against the Bacillus species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa
[92]

Leaf and gall
Disc diffusion
Essential oils
Final 0.1% v/v
Delayed not block fungal growth in Fomitopsis pinicola and Penicillium sp. by volatile constituents of galls; volatile constituents of leaf inhibited only the growth of Penicillium sp

Gum
Agar disc diffusion
Essential oil
10⁻¹, 10⁻², 10⁻³, and 10⁻⁴ μg/mL
Most active against E. coli followed by S. aureus and S.  pyogenes.
[90]

Inhibitory quantity (MIQ) method

0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 μg/mL
S. aureus and S. pyogenes were susceptible to 0.5 μg/mL, and E. coli was tolerant to this concentration

Maruzzella method

10⁻¹, 10⁻², 10⁻³ μg/mL
E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes were sensitive to 10⁻¹ μg/mL

P.  atlantica  var. kurdica
Gum
Mice infected with Leishmania major
Gum
Locally rubbed on lesions
Skin lesion size in mice infected with L. major compared with control ; number of parasitologicaly positive mice
[93]

P. terebinthus
Leaf
Microdilution
Hydroalocholic extract
0.024, 0.049, 0.097, 0.19, 0.78, 1.56, and 25 mg/mL (for S.  aureus)

0.049–12.5 mg/mL (for E.  coli)
Activity against S. aureus with a MIC: ≤1.56 mg/mL.

No antimicrobial effect on E. coli.
[84]

Gum
Disc diffusion,

microdilution
Essential oil and gum smoke
ND
Activity of essential oil against all tested bacteria including Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa; activity of nonpolar smoke fraction on all of strains especially on S. dysenteriae, E. coli, B. subtilis, and P. aeruginosa
[140]

P.  khinjuk
Not mentiond
Disc diffusion,

microdilution
Ethanolic extract and its fractions

ND
Active against Gram-positive

and Gram-negative bacteria especially n-butanolic fraction
[153]

Leaf
Microdilution
Chloroform, ethyl acetate,

ethyl alcohol, and diethyl ether extracts
ND
Activity against bacteria including Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae (MIC = 0.02–0.5 mg/mL) and fungi including Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (MIC = 0.06–0.4 mg/mL). Chloroform extract inhibited growth of fungi more than others
[38]

Leaf, fruits derm
Disc diffusion
Methanolic extract
25, 50, 75 mg/mL
Hydroalcoholic extract of fruits derm on E. coli, water extract on S. epidermidis, and methanolic extract on S. aureus (all in 75 mg/mL) had higher antibacterial activity than tobramycin and same as gentamicin and kanamycin
[91]

P.  vera
Leaf, branch,

stem, seed
In vitro study on four parasitic protozoa
Lipophylic extracts
0.8 to 9.7 µg/mL
No inhibitory activity against Trypanosoma brucei  rhodesiense
[94]

Not any significant inhibitory potential against Trypanosoma cruzi

Remarkable activity of branches extract at 4.8 µg/mL against Leishmania donovani

Dried leaf extract displayed notable activity against Plasmodium falciparum at 4.8 µg/mL

Gum
Hole-plate,

agar dilution
Essential oil
1/10, 1/20, 1/40, 1/80,

and 1/100 v/v
All isolates of Helicobacter pylori were sensitive to the essential oil (MIC: 1.55 µg/mL)
[15]

Agar-disc diffusion, broth microdilution, and broth susceptibility
Essential oil
of 2 and 4 µL
Dose dependent activities against Corynebacterium xerosis, Bacillus brevis, B. megaterium, Mycobacterium smegmatis, St.  aureus, Klebsiella oxytoca, Enterococcus faecalis, Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli, Yersinia enterocolitica, Kluyveromyces fragilis Rhodotorula rubra, and

Candida albicans
[12]

Hull
Disk diffusion test
Aqueous
1200 μg/plate
Gram positive bacteria were the most sensitive
[150]

Agar dilution method
0.5 to 10 mg/mL

Leaf, branch, stem, kernel,

shell skins, and seeds
Microdilution
Lipophylic extracts
256 and 512 mg/mL
Greater activity against Gram positive bacteria than Gram-negative; remarkable antifungal activity against C.  albicans and C. parapsilosis
[89]

In vitro antiviral assay
Extracts of shell skin and fresh kernel had significant activity against Parainfluenza virus and Herpes simplex virus same as the acyclovir

Anti-inflammatory
P. terebinthus
Gall
Phospholipase A2 (PLA2)

induced hind-paw mouse edema
Methanolic extract
200 mg/kg
Inhibition of edema
[95]

Ethyl phenylpropiolate (EPP) induced mouse

ear edema
1 mg/ear
Inhibition of edema by 44%.

12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate

(TPA)-induced mouse ear edema
1 mg/ear
Nonsignificant effect

Mouse ear edema induced by multiple topical applications of TPA
1 mg/ear
58% inhibition of chronic inflammatory swelling

In vitro phospholipase A2 activity assay
ND
activity of the enzyme by 75%

Myeloperoxidase assay
ND
activity of the enzyme by 73%

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2)-induced hind-paw mouse edema
Masticadienonic acid, masticadienolic acid, and morolic acid from methanolic extract
30 mg/kg
Inhibition of edema by all triterpenes
[95]

Ethyl phenylpropiolate (EPP) induced mouse

ear edema
1 mg/ear
31% and 38% nonsignificant inhibition of edema by masticadienolic acid and morolic acid, whereas masticadienonc acid was inactive

Mouse ear edema induced by multiple topical

applications of TPA
0.3 mg/ear
Inhibition of swelling and neutrophil infiltration by all compounds

Myeloperoxidase assay
10–100 µg/mL
80% inhibition of enzyme activity by all the compounds

Inhibition of the production of LTB4 from rat polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL)
12.5–100 µM
Inhibition of leukotriene B4 production in rat PMNL by all compounds

Ethyl phenylpropiolate-induced mouse ear oedema
Oleanolic acid and its semisynthetic 3-oxo-analogue
1 mg/ear
No activity on the edema
[95]

Mouse ear edema induced by TPA
0.5 mg/ear
A nonsignificant 28% inhibition

Mouse edema induced by DPP
0.5 mg/ear
swelling by 40% similar to standard (carbamazepine)

Delayed type hypersensitivity induced by fluorobenzene

in mouse ear
Oleanolic and oleanonic acids
0.5 mg/ear
Oleanonic acid: ineffective at both 24 and 96 h; oleanolic acid: edema nonsignificantly at 96 h by 32%

Mouse ear inflammation induced by multiple topical applications of TPA
0.3 mg/ear
Oleanonic acid: significant effect with 45% inhibition; oleanolic acid: inactive

Myeloperoxidase assay
ND
Inhibition of neutrophil infiltration by oleanonic and oleanolic 84% and 67%, respectively

Phospholipase A2-induced hind paw mouse edema
30 mg/kg
edema by both compounds

Bradykinin-induced mouse paw edema
Oleanonic acid
30 mg/kg
edema by 61%

Inhibition of leukotriene B4 production from rat

polymorphonuclear leukocytes
ND
leukotriene B4 (IC50: 17 µM)

P.  vera
Fruits,

leaf, branches,

peduncles, and oleoresin
Carrageenan-induced hind paw edema
Ethanolic and aqueous extracts
250, 500 mg/kg
Among all extracts, only the oleoresin exhibited a dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity
[146]

p-Benzoquinone-induced abdominal constriction test

in mice
250, 500 mg/kg
Among all extracts, only the oleoresin displayed antinociceptive activity with 32.1% inhibition at 500 mg/kg and 21.7% inhibition at 250 mg/kg

Leaf
Hot plate test
Aqueous extract,

ethanolic extract
0.4 and 0.5 g/Kg
Dose-dependent antinociceptive activity after 30–60 min of treatment
[97]

Xylene-induced ear edema
Aqueous extract
0.4, 0.16, 0.28 g/kg
Significant anti-inflammatory activities

Chronic anti-inflammatory activity (granuloma pouch method)
Aqueous extract, ethanolic extract
0.4 g/Kg

0.35, 0.5 g/Kg
Significant and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity

Writhing test
Aqueous extract

ethanolic extract
0.4, 0.28 g/kg

0.35, 0.5 g/Kg
number of mouse abdominal constrictions induced by acetic acid

P.  lentiscus var. chia
Gum
Modification of VCAM-1 and ICAM1 expression

by ELAISA
Neutral extract and isolated

phytosterol tirucallol
Extract: 25, 50, 100, 200 µg/mL

Tirucallol: 0.1, 1, 10, 100 µM
significant dose-dependent in vascular adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) and intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) expression
[98]

U937 cell adhesion assay
adhesion of U937 cells to TNF--stimulated human aortic endothelial cells

Measurement of NFkB p65 phosphorylation by ELISA
phosphorylation of NFkB p65

Effects on Gastrointestinal disorders
P.  lentiscus
Resin
Pyloric ligation-,

Aspirin-, phenylbutazone-, and reserpine-induced and cold-restraint stress ulcer in rat
Powder finely suspended in corn oil
An oral dose of 500 mg/kg

intensity of gastric mucosal damage in all models
[103]

P.  lentiscus
Resin
TNBS-induced colitis in rats
Powder in polyherbal formulation
50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of formula with 4% P.  lentiscus resin
macroscopic and microscopic colonic damage; TNF-, IL-1, MPO, and lipid peroxidation; not significantly increase in antioxidant power of colon
[106]

P.  lentiscus var. chia.
Resin
3-week double-blind randomised placebo controlled study on patients with functional dyspepsia
Powder
350 mg TID
Improved the feeling of symptoms significantly
[104]

P.  lentiscus var. chia.
Resin
Dextran-sulfate sodium (DSS) model of colitis in mice
Powder
0.20 g/kg chow (0.02%)

2.0 g/kg chow (0.20%)
Delayed the onset and progression of acute colitis and weight loss caused by the disease
[105]

P.  lentiscus var. chia.
Resin
4-week pilot study on 10 patients with Crohn’s disease and 8 controls
Capsules of fine

powder
2.22 g/day (6 caps/d, 0.37 g/cap)
Crohn’s disease activity index and plasma inflammatory mediators such as C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 (IL-6) without any side effects; immunomodulatory effect by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) and ↑macrophage migration inhibitory factor
[107]

P.  lentiscus var. chia
Resin
4-week pilot study on 10 patients with crohn’s disease and 8 controls
Capsules of fine

powder
2.22 g/day (6 caps/d, 0.37 g/cap)
Immunomodulatory activity TNF- and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in these patients
[108]

Antidiabetic
P.  atlantica
Leaf
In vitro and in vivo (normoglycemic and streptozocin-induced hyperglycemic rats)
Aqueous extract
2 mL plant extract equivalent to 200 mg of starting material
Significant inhibitory effect on -amylase in vitro; no significant hypoglycemic activity in normoglycemic and hyperglycemic rats
[109]

In vitro enzymatic starch digestion and rat model
Aqueous extract
1, 5, 10, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 mg/mL

125, 250, and 500 mg/kg
In vitro: significant dose dependent dual inhibition of -amylase and -glucosidase comparable to acarbose

In vivo: significant acute postprandial antihyperglycemic activity comparable to metformin and glipizide and improved glucose intolerance in oral starch tolerance test
[110]

P.  lentiscus  var. chia
Resin
Human study
Powder diluted in 250 mL of water
0.7 g per day
Significantly decrease (3.1 mg/dL per month, ) in serum glucose level among male subjects
[111]

Antitumor
P.  lentiscus var. chia
Resin
In vitro study on human colon cancer

cells (HCT116)
Ethanol extract
ND
Inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of human colorectal tumor cells
[112]

P.  lentiscus
Resin
In vitro study on human leukemic cell line
Liquid and solid resin
0–200 μg/mL (solid mastic)

or 0–2 (v/v)% of liquid mastic
The most cytotoxic effect against promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 among 13 human cell types; inhibition of natural apoptosis of oral polymorphonuclear leukocytes
[76]

In vivo human colon cancer/immunodeficient mouse model
Hexane extract
200 mg/kg administered daily for 4 consecutive

days (followed by 3 days without treatment)
Anticancer activity via its delay effect on the growth of colorectal tumors developed from HCT116 xenografted into mice
[8]

Human cell line (androgen-responsive prostate cancer cell line)
ND
2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 µg/mL
Remarkable potency to decrease the expression and function of the androgen receptor in androgen-responsive prostate cancer cell line (LNCaP)
[154]

Human prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP and DU-145), RT-PCR, and Western blotting were used to detect maspin expression
ND
2, 4, 6, and 8 µg/mL
Increased maspin expression in LNCaP cells
[113]

The human prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3), MTT assay, gene assay, RT-PCR, and

Western blotting
ND
10, 20, and 30 µg/mL
Inhibited proliferation and blocked the cell cycle progression in androgen-independent prostate cancer PC-3 cells by suppressing NF-κB activity and the NF-κB signal pathway
[114]

Lewis lung carcinoma cells
Essential oil
0.01% v/v
A time-dependent modification in the expression of 925 genes and phenomena in Lewis lung carcinoma cells by its antiproliferative, proapoptotic, and anti-inflammatory activities
[155]

P.  atlantica sub. kurdica
Fruit
Immunocompetent mice
Essential oil
45 mg/kg intraperitoneally, 3 times a week for 3 weeks
Significant inhibition on tumor growth without signs of toxicity related to apoptosis induction, reduced neovascularization, and inhibiting chemokine expression
[115]

Cells line and

the in vivo chicken embryo CAM angiogenesis model
Essential oil
0.01–0.1% v/v
Antiproliferative and proapoptotic effect on K562 human leukemia cells; inhibited the release of vascular endothelial growth factor from K562 and B16 mouse melanoma cell; concentration-dependent inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation without affecting cell survival; significant decrease of microvessel formation
[116]

Rat liver medium-term carcinogenesis bioassay (Ito-test)
Powder in diet
0, 0.01, 0.1 and 1%
Promoted the preneoplastic lesions development in rat liver with increasing liver relative weight
[117]

human colon carcinoma HT29 cells
Ethanol : H₂O (70 : 30)
0.7 mg/mL
50% growth inhibition similar to 500 nM of doxorubicin
[119]

P.  vera
Resin
In vitro cytotoxic activity against human cell lines
Crud methanolic extract fractionated against petroleum ether, chloroform,

and n-butanol
ND
Moderate cytotoxic effect against breast cancer cell line (MCF7), hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HEPG2), cervix cancer cell line (HELA), and normal melanocytes (HFB4);

n-hexane fraction showed strong cytotoxic effect

(IC50: 3.15–4.17 µg/mL) against all of the tested cell lines, except for MCF7 (IC50: 13.5 µg/mL)
[120]

Effects on liver and serum biochemical parameters
P.  lentiscus
Leaf
Rat model using Carbon tetrachloride
Aqueous extract
4 mL/kg

(contained 1.946 g of solid matter)
bilirubin and activity of 3 enzymes including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
[121]

Rat model using Thioacetamide
Aqueous extract
15 mg/kg and 75 mg/kg
Hepatic fibrosis, an inflammatory response, mild cholestasis, and depletion of reduced glutathione associated with an increase in its oxidized form for five weeks administration in healthy rats; in thioacetamide-induced rat liver lesions, it aggravated the inflammatory, fibrotic, and glutathione depleting responses without affecting the extent of lipid peroxidation
[122]

P.  lentiscus var. chia
Resin
Human model
Powder diluted in one glass (250 mL) of water
5 g
Serum total cholesterol, LDL, total cholesterol/HDL ratio, lipoprotein, apolipoprotein A-1, apolipoprotein B, AST, ALP, and gamma-GT were reduced in human subjects
[111]

P.  lentiscus
Seeds oil
Rabbit model, mercury induced toxicity
Pistacia oil
5%
Mercury induced toxicity in rabbits caused increase in the level of ALP, AST, and urea serum, while it was reported that P.  lentiscus  oil-treated rabbits showed none of those changes
[156]

P.  vera
Fruit (roasted, unsalted pistachio nuts)
Human model (10 patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia)
Nut
20% in diet
total cholesterol, total cholesterol/HDL ratio, and LDL/HDL ratio and HDL after 3 weeks use
[124]

P. terebinthus
Fruit
Rabbit model
Fruit
1 g/kg
Inhibited the development of hydropic degeneration and fatty changes in the liver and demonstrated hypolipidemic effect
[125]

Effects on atherosclerosis
P.  vera
Fruit
Rabbit model
Methanolic and cyclohexane extracts
Methanolic extract (1% v/w)

cyclohexane extract (5% v/w)
Beneficial effects on HDL, LDL, and aortic intimal thickness. The methanolic extract additionally showed an antioxidant activity and remarkable decrease in aortic surface lesions
[123]

P. terebinthus
Fruit
Rabbit model
Fruit
1 g/kg
Inhibited the development of the atherosclerotic lesions in the thoracic artery
[125]

P.  lentiscus
Resin
Cell culture (peripheral blood mononuclear cell, PBMC); cell viability assessed via

MTT assay
Total polar extract
2.7, 27, and 270 µg/mL
Restored intracellular antioxidant glutathione (GSH) levels and downregulated CD36 mRNA expression resulted in antioxidant and antiatherogenic effects
[126]

Anticholinesterase activity
P.  atlantica
leaf
TLC bioautography assay, Ellman’s colorimetric method
Aqueous extract
5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 µg/mL
Strong acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition
[13]

P.  atlantica
Leaf
Ellman’s colorimetric method
Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts
0.1 mg/mL
Relatively weak AChE inhibitory activity
[127]

P. terebinthus
Fruit
Ellman’s colorimetric method and the modified dopachrome method
Ethyl acetate and methanol extracts
25, 50, 100, and 200 µg/mL
No inhibitory activity against AChE and tyrosinase while selectively inhibited butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) at moderate levels (below 50%) at the tested concentrations
[85]

4.1. Antioxidant Activity

Different parts and constituents from P. lentiscus have been shown in vitro radical scavenging properties [23, 47, 52, 74–76]. Pistacia lentiscus var. chia and P. terebinthus var. chia resins were effective in protecting human LDL from oxidation in vitro [77]. P. atlantica leaf and fruit have shown antioxidant activity similar to or significantly higher than those of standard antioxidant compounds in different in vitro antioxidant assays [78–80]. However, the essential oil from P. atlantica leaf showed weak antioxidant activity in DPPH test compared to synthetic antioxidants [32]. P. vera fruit revealed significant antioxidant activity similar to the synthetic antioxidant [81]. Lipophilic extract from P. vera nuts showed lower antioxidant potential that than of hydrophilic extract [82]. One survey showed P. vera skins had a better antioxidant activity compared to seeds by means of four different assays because of higher content of antioxidant phenolic compounds in skins [44]. Antioxidant activity has been also reported from other parts of P. vera [83].

In one study, the extract from P. terebinthus leaf had nearly 12-fold higher antioxidant capacity than those of BHA and ascorbic acid [84]. P. terebinthus fruits showed noticeable metal-chelation properties as compared to EDTA and high radical scavenging activity similar to the standards. Antioxidant activity of the fruits may be elevated by roasting process [85].

4.2. Antimutagenic Activity

Essential oil and different extracts from P. lentiscus leaves indicated significant inhibitory effect on mutagenicity in vitro [86, 87]. Gallic acid, digallic acid, and 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloylglucose, polyphenols isolated from the fruits of P. lentiscus, induced an inhibitory activity against mutagenicity and genotoxicity in in vitro assays [47, 52].

4.3. Antimicrobial and Antiviral Activities

Pistacia species have demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against various Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria as shown in Table 3. Antimicrobial activity of Pistacia lentiscus resin, the essential oil and gum from P. atlantica var. kurdica and its major constituent α-pinene and P. vera gum against Helicobacter pylori were recorded [15, 33]. A study indicated that antibacterial activity of P. lentiscus gum oil can be attributed to combination of several components rather than to one particular compound. Verbenone, R-terpineol, and linalool showed high antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis which is comparable to that of mastic oil itself [19]. P. lentiscus gum revealed selective antibacterial activity against Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella melaninogenica and had antiplaque activity on teeth by inhibiting bacterial growth in saliva [76].

Significant antifungal activity was seen from essential oil of P. lentiscus leaf and gum, different extracts of P. khinjuk leaf, and essential oil of P. vera gum [15, 19, 38, 88]. Evaluating the effect of P. vera gum essential oil on growth of 13 bacteria and 3 yeasts demonstrated inhibitory effect on all of them except Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumonia and more effective yeasticide than nystatin. Carvacrol was found to be the most effective constituent [12, 15]. Lipophylic extracts from different parts of P. vera showed a little antibacterial activity and noticeable antifungal one against C. albicans and C. parapsilosis. Kernel and seed extracts showed significant antiviral activity [89].

Some active constituents of essential oil from the aerial parts of P. khinjuk responsible for its antibacterial and antifungal activity are α-pinene, β-pinene, myrcene, beta-caryophyllene, Germacrene B, and Spathulenol [38].

Organic fraction of mastic water obtained during the steam distillation of resin from Pistacia lentiscus var. chia indicated acceptable antifungal activity but moderate antibacterial effect. Among some of its major compounds, (±)-linalool and α-terpineol had the highest antimicrobial effect [33].

Essential oil from leaf and gum of P. atlantica showed acceptable antibacterial and antifungal activities [90–92]. However, leaf ethanolic extract had no distinct antimicrobial activity [88].

A remarkable inhibitory activity of different extracts and essential oil from P. lentiscus leaves was observed against Salmonella typhimurium; additionally, essential oil showed significant inhibitory effects against S. enteritidis and Staphylococcus aureus [86, 87].

As reported by Adams et al. [55], the leaves and twigs of P. atlantica and its active substance 3-methoxycarpachromene showed antiprotozoal activity against Plasmodium falciparum. P. atlantica var. kurdica gum controlled cutaneous leishmaniasis in mice infected with Leishmania major [93]. Extract from P. vera branch had significant inhibitory activity against Leishmania donovani and leaf extract inhibited Plasmodium falciparum without cytotoxicity on mammalian cells [94].

4.4. Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Activity

Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity of five mentioned Pistacia species have been shown in Table 3.

P. terebinthus gall showed anti-inflammatory activity in different in vivo models of acute and chronic inflammation [95]. Masticadienonic acid (26), masticadienolic acid (27), and morolic acid (28), three triterpene isolated from P. terebinthus gall, seem to be responsible for its anti-inflammatory activity [43]. Additionally, oleanonic acid (29) from the galls of P. terebinthus, reduced the production of leukotriene B4 from rat peritoneal leukocytes and showed antiedematous activity in mice [96]. Oleoresin and leaf extract from P. vera showed significant anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activity [97].

Extract of the resin of P. lentiscus var. Chia and its isolated phytosterol tirucallol (31) showed anti-inflammatory activity on human aortic endothelial cells and had significant inhibitory activity on adhesion molecules expression in TNF-α-stimulated human aortic endothelial cells [98]. It was proposed that the anti-inflammatory effect of P. lentiscus var. chia gum may be related to inhibition of protein kinase C which leads to decrease in superoxide and H₂O₂ production by NADPH oxidase [99].

4.5. Effects on Gastrointestinal Disorders

One of the most important traditional uses of gums from Pistacia species is for management of gastrointestinal disorders. Moreover, there are several scientific studies that confirm this property [100–102]. Resin of P. lentiscus significantly reduced the intensity of gastric mucosal damage induced by pyloric ligation, aspirin, phenylbutazone, reserpine, and restraint with cold stress via its antisecretory and cytoprotective activities [103]. In one double-blind placebo controlled trial, P. lentiscus gum improved the feeling of symptoms significantly in patients with functional dyspepsia [104]. Moreover, Pistacia species exerted significant antibacterial activity on Helicobacter pylori [15, 33]. Supplementation with P. lentiscus oil in experimental model of colitis delayed the onset and progression of acute colitis and led to decrease weight loss caused by the disease [105]. A polyherbal formula that contains P. lentiscus gum caused significant decrease in colonic damage and biochemical markers related to pathophysiology of IBS in rat model of colitis [106]. Adminstration of P. lentiscus var. chia resin to patients with established mild to moderate active crohn’s disease (CD) for 4 weeks caused significant reduction in CD activity index and plasma inflammatory mediators without any side effects and also as an immunomodulator resulted in significantly reduction in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and enhanced macrophage migration inhibitory factor in these patients [107, 108].

4.6. Antidiabetic Activity

Aqueous leaf extract from P. atlantica showed significant inhibitory effect on α-amylase and α-glucosidase in vitro [109, 110]. It demonstrated significant acute postprandial antihyperglycemic activity comparable to metformin and glipizide in starch-fed rats. It also improved glucose intolerance [110]. However, another study on this extract did not show significant hypoglycemic activity when tested in normoglycemic and streptozocin-induced hyperglycemic rats [109]. Administration of P. lentiscus var. chia gum to human subjects for 12 months caused significantly decrease in serum glucose level among male subjects. Serum glucose in women was not affected [111].

4.7. Antitumor Activity

Among mentioned species of Pistacia, P. lentiscus is the most investigated for antitumor activity (Table 3). P. lentiscus var. chia gum inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of human colorectal tumor cells in vitro [112]. The resin exerted the most cytotoxic effect against promyelocytic leukemia among 13 human cell types and also inhibited the natural apoptosis of oral polymorphonuclear leukocytes [76]. The gum demonstrated anticancer activity via delaying the growth of colorectal tumors developed from human colon cancer cells xenografted into mice [8]. It also increased maspin (a mammary serine protease inhibitor with tumor suppressive activity for prostate cancers) expression in responsive prostate cancer cells and inhibited cell proliferation and blocked the cell cycle progression [113, 114]. Essential oil of P. lentiscus demonstrated significant inhibition on tumor growth in immunocompetent mice without signs of toxicity, related to apoptosis induction, reduced neovascularization, and inhibiting chemokine expression [115]. In addition, it had antiproliferative and proapoptotic effect on human leukemia cells and inhibited the release of vascular endothelial growth factor from these cells [116]. Despite many reports on antitumor activities of P. lentiscus, one in vivo study showed that the high dose of P. lentiscus gum promoted the preneoplastic lesions development in rat liver with increasing liver relative weight which proposed that desirable anticarcinogenic effects of mastic could be obtained at relatively low doses [117]. In one recent study, the current data on the anticancer activities of gum, oil, and extracts of P. lentiscus L. and its major constituent, have been reviewed comprehensively with special attention to the probable anticancer mechanisms [118].

The fruit extract of P. atlantica sub. kurdica showed growth inhibition in human colon carcinoma cells similar to Doxorubicin [119]. P. vera oleoresin demonstrated moderate cytotoxic effect against breast cancer cell line, hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, cervix cancer cell line, and normal melanocytes [120].

4.8. Effects on Liver and Serum Biochemical Parameters

P. lentiscus leaf demonstrated significant hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in rats by reducing the level of bilirubin and activity of liver enzymes [121]. However, another study reported hepatic fibrosis, mild cholestasis, and depletion of reduced glutathione by long-term administration of aqueous leaf extract in healthy rats [122]. Administration of P. lentiscus var. chia gum for 18 months in healthy volunteers caused reduction in liver enzymes and exerted hypolipidemic effect [111]. Extracts from P. vera fruits have shown beneficial effects on HDL and LDL level in rabbit model of atherosclerosis [123]. Positive changes in lipid profile were recorded after three-week use of P. vera nuts in patients with moderate hypercholesterolemia. The decrease in triglyceride and LDL levels was not significant [124]. P. terebinthus fruit demonstrated hypolipidemic effect in hypercholesterolemic rabbits [125].

4.9. Effects on Atherosclerosis

More over than the antihyperlipidemic activity that described above, Pistacia species exerts their antiathesclerotic effects by direct activity on atherosclerotic lesions moreover than their antihyperlipidemic activity. Both methanolic and cyclohexane extracts from P. vera fruits have shown beneficial effects on HDL, LDL, and aortic intimal thickness in rabbit model of atherosclerosis. The methanolic extract additionally showed an antioxidant activity and remarkable decrease in aortic surface lesions [123]. P. terebinthus fruits inhibited the development of the atherosclerotic lesions in the thoracic artery [125]. P. lentiscus resin that downregulated CD36 mRNA expression (as the oxLDL receptor in macrophages that play a pivotal role in atherosclerotic foam cell formation) resulted in antiatherogenic effects [126].

4.10. Anticholinesterase Activity

Aqueous extracts from P. atlantica and P. lentiscus leaves showed strong acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition [13]; additionally, both the methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of P. atlantica leaf showed relatively weak AchE inhibitory activity [127]. However, one study showed that ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of various commercially terebinth coffee brands (an oily brown-coloured powder produced from the dried and roasted fruits of P. terebinthus) and the unprocessed fruits of P. terebinthus did not have inhibitory activity against AChE and tyrosinase, while they selectively inhibited butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) at moderate levels [85].

5. Conclusion

In traditional Iranian medicine textbooks and papers, five species of Pistacia genus including P. vera, P. lentiscus, P. terebinthus, P. atlantica, and P. khinjuk had been introduced for treating the wide range of ailments. These species until now have been utilized in Iran by people for different nutritional and medicinal proposes. This review considered findings about phytochemical and pharmacological properties of these five species and presents comprehensive analysis of papers published since the year 2000. Ethnopharmacological data about these species may help us to know that many pharmacological aspects proposed nowadays for these species have been derived from traditional uses like antiseptic and antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive, antihepatotoxic, and anticancer activities and their beneficial effects in gastrointestinal disorders. Furthermore, there are several pharmacological activities discussed in traditional medicine such as diuretic, lithontripic, anti-tussive, antirheumatic, antiasthmatic, antihypertensive, and aphrodisiac activities which are not supported by any current scientific documents, and so, they could be considered for investigation by researchers.

Phytochemical studies provided evidence for traditional applications of these species. With respect to phytochemical assays, triterpenes found in the resin and monoterpens are the most abundant composition of the essential oil from different parts of these species. Essential oil constituents might be valuable chemotaxonomic marker to ascertain different Pistacia chemotypes. Considering the therapeutic effect of isolated components, it can be concluded that terpenoids including mono, di-, and triterpenoids are associated with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. High amount of natural phenols and flavonoids is related to potent antioxidant and anticancer activities.

Review on current researches about the genus Pistacia L. highlighting pharmacological studies on crude plant parts, extracts, and some pure metabolites has provided scientific evidence for traditional uses and has revealed this genus to be a valuable source for medicinally important molecules.

So many studies were carried out on antioxidant activity of this genus considering their flavonoids, anthocyanins, and other phenolic compounds as preventive factors against cancer and cardiovascular diseases. P. lentiscus is the most studied species for antioxidant effects followed by P. atlantica, P. vera, P. terebinthus and P. khinjuk.

Most of the studies showed antimicrobial activity of these species especially P. lentiscus on a wide range of microorganisms including Gram-positive and -negative, aerobic and aerobic bacteria, viruses and fungi. The findings indicated that α-pinene, verbenone, R-terpineol, linalool, carvacrol and flavones are major compounds related to antibacrial activity.

Abbreviations

ABTS: | 2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic  acid)
ALP: | Alkalin  ephosphatase
ALT: | Alanine  aminotransferase
AST: | Aspartate  aminotransferase
B(a)p: | Benzo(a)pyrene
BHA: | Butylated  hydroxyanisole
BHT: | Butylated  hydroxytoluene
DMPD: | N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylendiamine
DPPH: | 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl
EC50: | Half  maximal  effective  concentration
EDTA: | Ethylenediaminetetraacetic  acid
EPP: | Ethyl  phenylpropiolate
FRAP: | Ferric  reducing  antioxidant  power
Gamma-GT: | Gamma-glytamyl  transpeptidase
IC50: | The  half  maximal  inhibitory  concentration
LOX: | Lipoxygenase
MBC: | Minimum  Bactericidal  Concentration
MDA: | Malonaldehyde
MIC: | Minimum  inhibitory  Concentration
NF-kB: | Nuclear  factor  kappa-light-chain-enhancerof  activated  B  cells
OxLDL: | Oxidized  low  density  lipoprotein
PLA2: | Phospholipase  A2
SGOT: | Serum  glutamic  oxaloacetic  transaminase
SGPT: | Serum  glutamic-pyruvic  transaminase
SOD: | Superoxide  dismutase
TBARS: | Thiobarbituric  acid  reactive  substances
TBHQ: | Tertiary  Butyl  hydroquinone
TPA: | 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate.

Conflict of Interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

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