Background & Aim: The traditional knowledge about medicinal plants is the basic step in many drug productions. Traditional medicine and herbal drug have absorbed attraction of many world authorities. Using medicinal plants has developed in many countries even those with a vast use of chemical drugs. Ethno-botanical studies result in documentation of many useful plants. In these studies the main aim is to identify such plants and introduce their active and biologic ingredients. Iran is a proper case of ethno-botanical studies due to its different habitats and rich plant vegetation types. Nowadays using new medicinal plants components and optimized usage of rich natural resources is a necessity. Experimental: In present project medicinal plants of Sardasht with local importance have been collected and identified during 2011 & 2012 growth seasons. Careful uses of medicinal herbs were determined by interview with native people. Scientific names and local medicinal uses are mentioned. Results & Discussion: There were totally recognized 70 medicinal species of 29 families. Results of present study showed that local people mainly used Asteraceae and Apiaceae then Lamiaceae, Rosaceae and Fabaceae medicinal taxa. Medical plants in this region are mainly used to treat circulatory system problems such as Diabetics and blood lipid. Industrial and practical recommendations: According to results of this study, the preservation and conservation of some herbs species is essential. This document can play a role in preserving the indigenous knowledge of using these plants. Manuscript profile

Background & Aim: Alhagi genus has two important medicinal plant species in Iran, including Alhagi pseudoalhagi, and A. graecorum (known “Kharshotor” in Persian). These plants are distributed in Iran like weeds. Generally, Alhagi is used as an anti-hemorrhoid, laxative and diuretic. Manna in both species produced by activity of a kind of insect on Alhagi branches which has medicinal properties and been used in Iranian traditional medicine. In this study, cytogenetic of 17 populations of A. graecorum and A. pseudoalhagi were studied. Experimental: In order to study the cytogenetic, pollen mother cells were studied in different meiotic developmental steps, and photographed. Pollen fertility test was done for studied populations. Data were statistically analyzed by SPSS software.Results & Discussion: Chromosome number in all species were 2n=2x= 16. Studied populations showed regular meiosis while some abnormalities as anaphase bridge in anaphase I, chromosomes stickiness in metaphase I, laggard chromosomes in metaphase I, and anaphase I, presence of rod and circular bivalent, univalent, quadrivalent and tri-polar were observed. Such structural modifications cause to increase in genetic variation and adaptation to environmental conditions. B chromosomes (I-V) were observed.Industrial and practical recommendations: Results of current study can lead to further researches in order to increase and optimize the medicinal effective substances in Alhagi by genetic modification. Manuscript profile