Mohammadreza Lotfaliani
1, 2 
, Seyed Abdulmajid Ayatollahi
1, 3* , Farzad Kobarfard
4 , Mustafa ghanadian
5* , Pardis Mohammadi Pour
5 1 Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran
3 Phytochemistry Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
4 Department of Medical Chemistry, Phytochemistry Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
5 Department of Pharmacognosy, Isfahan Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
The genus Delphinium is one of the essential members of the family Ranunculaceae. These species grow wild in North America, Europe, and Asia. They have demonstrated antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities. Diterpenoid alkaloids are their main constituents and seem to be responsible for medicinal and toxic properties. The primary purpose of this paper is to review the therapeutic benefits of Delphinium species, chemical composition, and its medicinal uses, in addition to the reported toxic effects of these plants influencing different animals and humans.
Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:
This review provides a comprehensive insight into the Delphinium sp. phytochemistry, medicinal uses, and toxic effects. It shows the traditional application and distribution of alkaloids on the species of this genus as a reliable source for the preparation of new drugs.