Rhus coriaria L. From the Viewpoint of Traditional Persian Medicine and Current Scientific Evidence: A Scoping Review
Abstract
Sumac is a well-known plant in traditional Persian medicine and has been described as having many healing properties. The outer layer of its fruit is commonly used as a spice and is also recommended, alone or with other substances, for certain health problems in traditional Persian medical texts. The purpose of this study was to review the written opinions of traditional Persian medicine scholars about sumac and compare these traditional uses with modern scientific research. To do this, a wide search was carried out in important Persian medicine books and modern scientific databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Magiran, and SID. Keywords such as “Sumac”, “Rhus coriaria L.”, “Persian medicine”, “phytochemicals”, and “chemical compounds” were used. Information about the plant’s characteristics, uses, and available experimental and clinical studies was collected. Then, the traditional knowledge was compared with recent scientific findings. According to traditional Persian medicine, the outer layer of sumac has a cold and dry temperament, and its main effects are astringent and tonic. Traditional books describe its uses for improving stomach and gum health, treating dysentery and infectious diseases, reducing heavy uterine bleeding, and helping with gout. Modern studies also support several of these uses, showing antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, and antigout effects, as well as protection against stomach ulcers. Early research further suggests that sumac may have anticancer and heart-protective properties and may help lower blood lipids and glucose. Phytochemical studies show that sumac contains anthocyanins, terpenes, phenolic acids, tannins, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. These compounds are linked to its biological activities. Overall, comparing traditional knowledge with modern science reveals many similarities. Combining scientific results with traditional medical understanding may support future research and the development of new medicinal products made from sumac.
Lahlou M. The success of natural products in drug discovery. 2013.
Lahlou M. Screening of natural products for drug discovery. Expert opinion on drug discovery.
;2(5):697-705.
Harvey AL, Edrada-Ebel R, Quinn RJ. The re-emergence of natural products for drug discovery in
the genomics era. Nat. Rev. Drug Discov. 2015;14(2):111-29.
Fabricant DS, Farnsworth NR. The value of plants used in traditional medicine for drug discovery.
Environ. Health Perspect. 2001;109(suppl 1):69-75.
Nafis I. Alshaml fi Sana’at tebbi’at. Tehran: Moaseseh Motaleat Tarikh Pezeshki, Teb Eslami va
Mokamel; 2008.
Zakeri S, Enayati A, Kolangi F. Sumac Can Be Offered as an Alternative Treatment for Controlling
Abnormal Bleedings Based on Persian Medicine.JTIM. 2020.
Salimi Z, Headari R, Nejati V, Eskandary A, Ghasemi Z. Effect of aqueous extract of sumac (Rhus
coriaria L.) on the level of blood glucose and serum lipids in diabetic rats. IJMAPR. 2015;30(6).
Özcan M, Haciseferogullari H. A condiment [sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) fruits]: some
physicochemical properties. Bulg. J. Plant Physiol. 2004;30(3-4):74-84.
Ahmad H, Ahmad F, Hasan I, Ahmad S. Unani description of Sumaq (Rhus coriaria Linn.) and its
scientific report. Glob. J. Med. Res. 2013;13(7):75-8.
Moeini R, Memariani Z, Enayati A, Gorji N, Kolangi F. Nephrotonic and Nephroprotective
Medicinal Herbs in Traditional Persian Medicine: Review and Assessment of Scientific Evidence. Curr.
Tradit. Med. 2022;8(3):11-25.
Shirazi A. Makhzan Al-adviyah (the Storehouse of medicaments). Tehran: Tehran University of
Medical Sciences. 2009.
Heravi YIMIY. Riaz Al-Advie: Safir-e Ardehal; 2012.
Avicenna. Al-Qanun fi'l-tibb. Beirut: Dar-ol-Behar; 2009.
Aghili Khorasani Shirazi MH. Qarabadin-I Kabir: Majma Al-Jawami Wa Dhakhair Al-Taratib: Safir-I
Ardihal; 2014.
Arzani MA. Mofarah Al-Gholob. 1th ed ed. Tehran University of Medical Sciences: Institute of
Medical History, Complementary and Islamic Medicine; 2007.
Khorasani SA. Kholase Al- Hekmah. Quom: Esmailian; 2006.
Gilani MK. Hefz o sehe Naseri: Almai Publications; 1378.
khan Ha. Eksir - e - Azam. 3rd ed: Tehran university of MedicalScience : Institute for Islamic and
Complementary Medicine; 2007.
Mozaffarian V. A Dictionary of Iranian Plant Names Latin-English-Persian, Faehang Moaser.
Tehran, Iran. 1998:230.
Mir Haidar H. Medicinal plant facts, applications in prevention and treatment of diseases.
Volume. 1992;5:85-9.
Ghahreman A, Okhovvat A. Matching the old medicinal plant names with scientific terminology.
vol. 1. Farsi ed. Tehran University Press, Iran; 2004.
Ne'Eman G, Henig‐Sever N, Eshel A. Regulation of the germination of Rhus coriaria, a post‐fire
pioneer, by heat, ash, pH, water potential and ethylene. Physiol. Plant. 1999;106(1):47-52.23
Butt SJ, Varis S, Nasir IA, Sheraz S, Shahid A. Micro propagation in advanced vegetable
production: a review. Adv. Life Sci. 2015;2(2):48-57.
Idowu P, Ibitoye D, Ademoyegun O. Tissue culture as a plant production technique for
horticultural crops. AJB. 2009;8(16).
Fereidoonfar H, Salehi-Arjmand H, Khadivi A, Akramian M. Morphological variability of sumac
(Rhus coriaria L.) germplasm using multivariate analysis. Ind Crops Prod. 2018;120:162-70.
Anwer T, Sharma M, Khan G, Iqbal M, Ali MS, Alam MS, et al. Rhus coriaria ameliorates insulin
resistance in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) rats. Acta Pol. Pharm. 2013;70(5):861-7.
Behnammanesh G, Khalilpour S, Majid ASA, Majid AMSA. Pharmacological actions and potential
neuroprotective effects of Rhus coriaria L. And Echium amoenum L.: a brief review. 2015.
Abu-Reida IM, Jamous RM, Ali-Shtayeh MS. Phytochemistry, pharmacological properties and
industrial applications of Rhus coriaria L.(sumac). Jordan J. Biol. Sci. 2014;147(1573):1-12.
Annamaria P, Venera C, Natale AS, Rossella M. Antioxidant and protective effects of sumac
leaves on chondrocytes. J. Med. Plant Res. 2009;3(11):855-61.
Isik S, Tayman C, Cakir U, Koyuncu I, Taskin Turkmenoglu T, Cakir E. Sumac (Rhus coriaria) for the
prevention and treatment of necrotizing enterocolitis. J. Food Biochem. 2019;43(12):e13068.
Ahmad H, Wadud A, Jahan N, Khazir M, Sofi G. Evaluation of anti-ulcer activity of hydro alcoholic
extract of Post Sumaq (Rhus coriaria Linn.) in Ethanol induced Gastric ulcer in experimental rats. IJRMS.
;1(10):7-12.
Ardalani H, Moghadam MH, Rahimi R, Soltani J, Mozayanimonfared A, Moradi M, et al. Sumac as
a novel adjunctive treatment in hypertension: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical
trial. RSC Adv. 2016;6(14):11507-12.
Shabbir A. Rhus coriaria linn, a plant of medicinal, nutritional and industrial importance: a
review. J Anim Plant Sci. 2012;22(2):505-12.
Abu-Reidah IM, Ali-Shtayeh MS, Jamous RM, Arráez-Román D, Segura-Carretero A.
HPLC–DAD–ESI-MS/MS screening of bioactive components from Rhus coriaria L.(Sumac) fruits. Food
Chem. 2015;166:179-91.
Kossah R, Nsabimana C, Zhao J, Chen H, Tian F, Zhang H, et al. Comparative study on the
chemical composition of Syrian sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) and Chinese sumac (Rhus typhina L.) fruits. PJN.
;8(10):1570-4.
B. N. Kholasat ol-tajarob (Summary of Experiences) Tehran: Iran University Press; 2004.
ahmad s. khazaenol molok: Iran univercity of medical sciences; 1387. .
Arzani MA. Tibb-e-Akbari (Akbar's medicine) Qom: Jalal-ed-Din; 2008.
Nafis, Ibn. Almojaz fi-tibb: Cairo: Ehia Al Tourath Al -Eslami; 1986.
Ashtiani min. Tazkiratul Alaj. Tehran: Islamic and Complementary Medicine Iran University of
Medical Sciences; 1387.
Mahdavi JJ, Aliasl J, Ehsani MJ, Kamalinejad M, Gachkar L, Choopani R. Traditional Iranian
medicine: The use of the Canon of medicine by Avicenna to treat ascites. Eur. J. Integr. Med.
;7(6):674-8.
Al-Razi. Al-Mansuri Fi At-Tibb: Kuwait:Institute of Arab Manuscripts, Arab League Educational
Cultural & Scientific Organization; 1987.
Sharifi AH. Secrets of Herbal Medicine. 3rd ed. Tehran Iran Hafez Novin Press 2003.
Capcarova M, Slamecka J, Abbas K, Kolesarova A, Kalafova A, Valent M, et al. Effects of dietary
inclusion of Rhus coriaria on internal milieu of rabbits. J. Anim. Physiol. Anim. Nutr. (Berl.).
;96(3):459-65.24
Sabzghabaee AM, Kelishadi R, Golshiri K, Ghannadi A, Badri S. Clinical effects of Rhus coriaria
fruits on dyslipidemia in adolescents: a triple-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial. Arch. Med.
;68(5):308.
Hajmohammadi Z, Heydari M, Nimrouzi M, Faridi P, Zibaeenezhad MJ, Omrani GR, et al. Rhus
coriaria L. increases serum apolipoprotein-A1 and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels: a double-
blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial. J. Integr. Med. 2018;16(1):45-50.
Mahdabadi MN, Zahra K, Nadia T, Farzaneh L, Asma J, Seyed H. RhusCoriaria effect on serum
uric acid level and in vivo xanthine oxidase activity in oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice. J Pharm
Biomed Sci. 2013;3(12):1-6.
Pourahmad J, Eskandari MR, Shakibaei R, Kamalinejad M. A search for hepatoprotective activity
of aqueous extract of Rhus coriaria L. against oxidative stress cytotoxicity. FCT. 2010;48(3):854-8.
Chakraborty A, Ferk F, Simić T, Brantner A, Dušinská M, Kundi M, et al. DNA-protective effects of
sumach (Rhus coriaria L.), a common spice: results of human and animal studies. Mutat Res. 2009;661(1-
:10-7.
Beretta G, Rossoni G, Santagati NA, Facino RM. Anti-ischemic activity and endothelium-
dependent vasorelaxant effect of hydrolysable tannins from the leaves of Rhus coriaria (Sumac) in
isolated rabbit heart and thoracic aorta. Planta Med. 2009;75(14):1482-8.
Anwar MA, Samaha AA, Baydoun S, Iratni R, Eid AH. Rhus coriaria L.(Sumac) evokes
endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation of rat aorta: involvement of the cAMP and cGMP pathways.
Front. Pharmacol. 2018;9:688.
Heydari M, Nimrouzi M, Hajmohammadi Z, Faridi P, Ranjbar Omrani G, Shams M. Rhus coriaria
L.(Sumac) in patients who are overweight or have obesity: A placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial.
Shiraz Med. J. 2019;20(10).
Hariri N, Darafshi Ghahroudi S, Jahangiri S, Borumandnia N, Narmaki E, Saidpour A. The
beneficial effects of sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) supplementation along with restricted calorie diet on
anthropometric indices, oxidative stress, and inflammation in overweight or obese women with
depression: a randomized clinical trial. Phytother Res. 2020;34(11):3041-51.
Kazemi S, Shidfar F, Ehsani S, Adibi P, Janani L, Eslami O. The effects of sumac (Rhus coriaria L.)
powder supplementation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized controlled
trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2020;41:101259.
Wu Z, Zhang Y, Gong X, Cheng G, Pu S, Cai S. The preventive effect of phenolic-rich extracts from
Chinese sumac fruits against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in rats induced by a high-fat diet. Food &function. 2020;11(1):799-812.
El Gamel AM, Awaad EA. The therapeutic and preventive effect of sumac seeds (Rhus coriaria)
on some fertility hormones in diabetic female rats.
Sağlam M, Köseoğlu S, Hatipoğlu M, Esen HH, Köksal E. Effect of sumac extract on serum
oxidative status, RANKL/OPG system and alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis in rats. J. Appl.
Oral Sci. 2015;23:33-41.
Khalilpour S, Behnammanesh G, Suede F, Ezzat MO, Muniandy J, Tabana Y, et al.
Neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of Rhus coriaria extract in a mouse model of ischemic
optic neuropathy. Biomedicines. 2018;6(2):48.
Ahangarpour A, Oroojan AA, Heidari H, Ehsan G, Nooshabadi MRR. Effects of hydro-alcoholic
extract of Rhus coriaria (Sumac) seeds on reproductive complications of nicotinamide-streptozotocin
induced type-2 diabetes in male mice. WJMH. 2014;32(3):151-8.
Rahideh ST, Shidfar F, Khandozi N, Rajab A, Hosseini SP, Mirtaher SM. The effect of sumac (Rhus
coriaria L.) powder on insulin resistance, malondialdehyde, high sensitive C-reactive protein and
paraoxonase 1 activity in type 2 diabetic patients. J Res Med Sci. 2014;19(10):933.25
Ahangarpour A, Heidari H, Junghani MS, Absari R, Khoogar M, Ghaedi E. Effects of
hydroalcoholic extract of Rhus coriaria seed on glucose and insulin related biomarkers, lipid profile, and
hepatic enzymes in nicotinamide-streptozotocin-induced type II diabetic male mice. Pharm. Sci. Res.
;12(5):416.
Asgarirad H, Mahjoub S, Yadollahi M, Navaee S, Amirkhanloo S, Shohreh A. Effectiveness of sumac seed (Rhus coriaria L.) capsules prepared from an aqueous extract in diabetic patients: A double-blind clinical trial study. Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine. 2025;16(3):417.
Niknafs A, Rezvanfar M, Kamalinejad M, Latifi SA, Almasi-Hashiani A, Salehi M. The Effect of a
Persian Herbal Medicine Compound on the Lipid Profiles of Patients with Dyslipidemia: A Randomized
Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. eCAM. 2021;2021.
El Hasasna H, Athamneh K, Al Samri H, Karuvantevida N, Al Dhaheri Y, Hisaindee S, et al. Rhus
coriaria induces senescence and autophagic cell death in breast cancer cells through a mechanism
involving p38 and ERK1/2 activation. Sci. Rep. 2015;5(1):1-18.
Mirian M, Behrooeian M, Ghanadian M, Dana N, Sadeghi-Aliabadi H. Cytotoxicity and
antiangiogenic effects of Rhus coriaria, Pistacia vera and Pistacia khinjuk oleoresin methanol extracts.
Pharm. Sci. Res. 2015;10(3):233.
Ghorbani P, Namvar F, Homayouni-Tabrizi M, Soltani M, Karimi E, Yaghmaei P. Apoptotic
efficacy and antiproliferative potential of silver nanoparticles synthesised from aqueous extract of
sumac (Rhus coriariaL.). IET Nanobiotechnol. 2018;12(5):600-3.
A Gabr S, H Alghadir A. Potential anticancer activities of Rhus coriaria (sumac) extract against
human cancer cell lines. Biosci. Rep. 2021;41(5).
Gezici S. Anticancer, antiproliferative, lysosomal and lactate dehydrogenase inhibitory effects of
fruit extracts from sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) on human lung cancer cells. Acta Oncol Tur. 2019;52(1):160-
El Mahi Y, Nizami ZN, Wali AF, Al Neyadi A, Magramane M, Al Azzani M, et al. Rhus coriaria induces autophagic and apoptotic cell death in pancreatic cancer cells. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2024;15:1412565.
Sun Y, Ma N, Yi J, Zhou L, Cai S. Gastroprotective effect and mechanisms of Chinese sumac fruits
(Rhus chinensis Mill.) on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in mice. Food Funct. 2021;12(24):12565-79.
Martinelli G, Angarano M, Piazza S, Fumagalli M, Magnavacca A, Pozzoli C, et al. The
Nutraceutical Properties of Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) against Gastritis: Antibacterial and Anti-
Inflammatory Activities in Gastric Epithelial Cells Infected with H. pylori. Nutr. 2022;14(9):1757.
Saravani M, Memariani Z, Behnampour N, Seyyedmajidi M, Kolangi F. Effects of sumac aqueous extract along with eating and drinking modification on functional dyspepsia symptoms in comparison with omeprazole: An open-label, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine. 2025;15(3):1147.
Ali-Shtayeh MS, Al-Assali AA, Jamous RM. Antimicrobial activity of Palestinian medicinal plants
against acne-inducing bacteria. Afr. J. Microbiol. Res. 2013;7(21):2560-73.
Vahid-Dastjerdi E, Sarmast Z, Abdolazimi Z, Mahboubi A, Amdjadi P, Kamalinejad M. Effect of
Rhus coriaria L. water extract on five common oral bacteria and bacterial biofilm formation on
orthodontic wire. Iran. J. Microbiol. 2014;6(4):269.
Ali FH, Hassan A-RH, Bahgat AE. Study of sumac extract (Rhus coriaria L.), lactic acid and thyme
oil as decontaminants for shelf life extension of refrigerated rabbit meat. Food Sci Qual Manag.
;38:71-8.
Gündüz GT, Gönül ŞA, Karapinar M. Efficacy of sumac and oregano in the inactivation of
Salmonella Typhimurium on tomatoes. Int. J. Food Microbiol. 2010;141(1-2):39-44.
Singh O, Ali M, Akhtar N. New antifungal xanthones from the seeds of Rhus coriaria L.
Z. Naturforsch. C. 2011;66(1-2):17-23.
Kamalinejad M, Sharif A, Gachkar L, Ehsani AH, Ahmadian-Attar M, Torabi MR. Investigating the
Efficacy of Sumac Topical Solution Against Permethrin-resistant Human Head Lice. Int. J. Med. Toxicol.
Forensic Med. 2019;9(3):117-24.
Gharaei A, Shafie M, Mirdar Harijani J, Hasanein P, Arshadi A. Immune Responses and
Haematological Parameters Changes of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) under Effects of Dietary
Administration of Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.). JAST. 2020;22(1):173-86.
Ghaeni Pasavei A, Mohebbati R, Jalili-Nik M, Mollazadeh H, Ghorbani A, Nosrati Tirkani A, et al.
Effects of Rhus coriaria L. hydroalcoholic extract on the lipid and antioxidant profile in high fat diet-
induced hepatic steatosis in rats. Drug Chem Toxicol. 2021;44(1):75-83.26
Gabr SA, Alghadir AH. Evaluation of the biological effects of lyophilized hydrophilic extract of
Rhus coriaria on myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, wound healing, and microbial infections of skin wound
tissues. eCAM. 2019;2019.
MehrabaniNatanzi M, Kamalinejad M, Khodaii Z, Kamali J, Hashemi S, Dehghan M. Wound
healing effect of aqueous extract of rhus coriaria in rat. Alborz University Medical Journal. 2017;6(1):51-
Emanet M, Battaglini M, Carmignani A, Catalano F, Bartolucci M, Petretto A, et al. Evaluation of the Effects of Sumac (Rhus coriaria) Extract-Loaded Ethosomes on an In Vitro Wound Healing Model. ACS Omega. 2025
Rezvani Z, Mirzadeh M, Gheibi N, Mokhlesi A, Zarabadipour M. Comparison of Two Oral Pastes Containing Triamcinolone and Rhus Coriaria L. for Treating Minor Aphthous Lesions. International Dental Journal. 2025;75(2):921-5.
Mohammadi S, Zarei M, Zarei MM, Salehi I. Effect of hydroalcoholic leaves extract of Rhus
Coriaria on pain in male rats. Anesth Pain Med. 2016;6(1).
| Issue | Vol. 11, No. 3, 2026 -In Press- | |
| Section | Review Article(s) | |
| Keywords | ||
| Sumac Iranian Traditional Medicine Phytochemical Anacardaiceae | ||
| Rights and permissions | |
|
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
