Pharmacological Properties of Four Plant Species of the Genus Anabasis, Amaranthaceae

The genus Anabasis is a member of the family Amaranthaceae (former name: Chenopodiaceae) and includes approximately 102 genera and 1400 species. The genus Anabasis is one of the most significant families in salt marshes, semi-deserts, and other harsh environments. They are also renowned for their abundance in bioactive compounds, including sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, saponins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and betalain pigments. Since ancient times, these plants have been used to treat various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases and are used as an antirheumatic and diuretic. At the same time, the genus Anabasis is very rich in biologically active secondary metabolites that exhibit great pharmacological properties such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antiangiogenic, antiulcer, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, etc. All of the listed pharmacological activities have been studied in practice by scientists from different countries and are presented in this review article to familiarize the entire scientific community with the results of these studies, as well as to explore the possibilities of using four plant species of the genus Anabasis as medicinal raw materials and developing medicines based on them.


Introduction
The genus Anabasis is a member of the family Amaranthaceae (former name: Chenopodiaceae) and includes approximately 102 genera and 1400 species, which are mostly halophytes [1,2]. The genus Anabasis is one of the most important families in inhospitable places such as deserts, semi-deserts, and salt marshes [3,4]. Anabasis species are often an important source of forage for grazing [5]. Some have been exploited as a commercial supply of lye or potash, while others have served as important fuel sources [6,7]. Since many specimens lack the required characteristics for species identification, it has historically been challenging to identify collections because many members of this family are succulent and late in flowering and fruiting [8][9][10]. The primary quality of these plants is that they are especially resilient to saline environments and environmental stresses [11][12][13].      Aqueous and methanolic macerated extracts of Anabasis aretioides in a study by Senhaji et al. (2020) [44] showed good antioxidant activity assessed in vitro with five tests: H 2 O 2 (hydrogen peroxide removal), DPPH (activity purification method), ABTS (trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity assay), FRAP (iron/antioxidant reduction power), and reduction capability assay. The aqueous macerated extract had the highest hydrogen peroxide activity (7.84 ± 0.44%). The macerated methanol extract performed best on the other four antioxidant activity tests, reducing DPPH with an IC 50 of 52.91 ± 0.24 mcg/mL and having the highest radical scavenging capacity of ABTS•+ (48.99 ± 1.316 µg TE/mg E); it also showed the highest antioxidant activity in the FRAP test (99.73 ± 3.570 µg TE/mg E) and reducing ability (72.176 ± 0.540 µg AAE/mg E) ( Table 2).

Pharmacological Activities
In another study by Berrani et al. (2019) [45], the antioxidant activity of different parts of Anabasis aretioides was studied and compared with the free radical scavenging activity of DPPH gallic acid. Different parts of the plant showed variability in antioxidant activity. The percentages of inhibition were 70.50% for the seeds, 80.79% for the roots, and 78.29% for the aerial parts. As a result, aerial parts and roots have a relatively high antioxidant capacity, and their respective IC 50 values are: 0.61 ± 0.01 mg/mL and 0.40 ± 0.00 mg/mL compared to seeds with IC 50 = 1.13 ± 0.01 mg/mL ( Table 2). The extracts' thin liquid chromatography identified several substances that could reduce the DPPH radicals [46]. The results show that the roots have a significant antioxidant effect compared to other parts of the plant with a value of 1.39 ± 0.07 mg/mL, followed by aerial parts with 0.77 ± 0.11 mg/mL. The seed portion showed a low antioxidant effect (0.539±0.07 mg/mL) [47]. The results of ABTS decolorization analysis showed a similar effect, with roots being the most active at 28.27 ± 8.29 mg TR/g [48].
Extracts of Anabasis aretioides in studies by Sun and Shahrajabian (2023) [49] showed an antioxidant effect on the DPPH radical, and their activity was compared with various positive controls: the synthetic antioxidant BHA, ascorbic acid, and quercetin. The acetone extract showed the best free radical scavenging activity [50]. It is also reported that methanol and ethyl acetate extracts showed the same activity. Compared to the positive control, all extracts showed lower antioxidant activity (significant differences, p < 0.05) [51].
The presence of significant charges of phenolic compounds can be used to explain the antioxidant activity of Anabasis aretioides extracts. These substances function as metal chelating potentials, hydrogen donors, reducing agents, and singlet oxygen emitters [52,53].

Anabasis articulata
In studies to determine the antioxidant properties of stem and root extracts of Anabasis articulata, studies were carried out with various methods, including total antioxidant activity, reducing ability, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and β-carotene bleaching assay. In a study by Atik-Bekkara et al. (2013) [54], the stems show higher levels of phenolic compounds (25.48 mg GAE/g dw) compared to the roots (19.85 mg/g dw) ( Table 2). There was no discernible difference between the two portions regarding the plant's total antioxidant activity. In the tested models, all extracts showed varying degrees of antioxidant qualities. The crude root extract showed the highest activity in reducing ability with an IC 50 of 0.36 mg/mL, DPPH radical scavenging with an EC 50 of 0.57 mg/mL, and inhibition of β-carotene oxidation with an EC 50 of 0.22 mg/mL [55].
Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Anabasis articulata also show good antioxidant properties. The IC 50 of methanol extracts (3.200 ± 0.088 mg/mL) has been reported to show good DPPH radical scavenging activity in contrast to the ethanol extract (4.9 mg/mL) [56]. This value remains more or less comparable to that of ascorbic acid (5 mg/mL) and lower than that of quercetin (5.9 mg/mL) [57]. The FRAP iron reduction method showed that the methanol extract has good antioxidant activity (0.100 ± 0.035) and is superior to other extracts. This value is similar to quercetin (0.100 ± 0.104 mg/mL) [58].
Almost all of the extracts from Anabasis articulata have the capacity to inhibit DPPH free radicals, according to a study on the antioxidant activity of raw and purified fractions of the plant. The n-hexane fraction and crude extract, however, demonstrated notable free radical inhibition with IC 50 values of 45 g/mL and 90 g/mL, respectively [59]. The IC 50 value of ascorbic acid used as a standard was 32 µg/mL, while the methanol fraction and n-hexane extract showed free radical inhibition with IC 50 values of 75 µg/mL and 71 µg/mL, respectively (Table 2) [60].
The reduction of Mo(VI) to Mo(V) by antioxidant compounds and the formation of the green phosphate/Mo(V) complex at acidic pH were used to determine the total antioxidant capacity of the alkaloid extracts of Anabasis articulata. It has been discovered that the antioxidant capacities of all alkaloid extracts varied. Tetravalent alkaloids showed the highest total antioxidant capacity (14.74 ± 0.22 mg AAE/g DM), followed by pure basic alkaloids (8.72 ± 0.46 mg AAE/g DM) [54]. The EC 50 value of each sample was determined to compare the antiradical activity of these extracts. In a proxy test, low EC 50 values indicate high antioxidant activity. In another study, pure basic alkaloids also showed higher antiradical activity (1.24 ± 0.16 mg/mL), followed by total basic alkaloids (1.38 ± 0.03 mg/mL). The radical scavenging capacity of DPPH was low at 5.35 ± 0.02 mg/mL for the total alkaloid extract, while the tetravalent alkaloid extract had no EC 50 value under the tested operating conditions. These EC 50 values were higher than those of ascorbic acid (0.09 ± 0.002 mg/mL) and BHA (0.05 ± 0.003 mg/mL) and were used as positive controls [61]. All samples of alkaloids showed an inhibitory effect on the discoloration of β-carotene at various concentrations by scavenging linoleic acid free radicals. The extracts of total alkaloids and the main alkaloids showed good antioxidant activity with values of 0.35 ± 0.17 and 0.37 ± 0.08 mg/mL, respectively, while the value of the extract of pure basic alkaloids was 0.94 ± 0.03 mg/mL. However, the extract of tetravalent alkaloids showed a high value of 2.31 ± 0.56 mg/mL. These results were lower than for gallic acid (3.22 ± 0.02 mg/mL) but higher than for BHA (0.03 ± 0.005 mg/mL). Compared to other data, total alkaloids reduced the degree of destruction of β-carotene by reacting with the free radical of linoleate at EC 50 = 1.67 ± 0.22 mg/mL [20].

Anabasis aphylla
Studies with two different methods-the DPPH free radical scavenging assay and the β-carotene/linoleic acid assay-have demonstrated the antioxidant capacity of ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of Anabasis aphylla. The extracts did not show antioxidant activity in the DPPH method [62]. In the β-carotene/linoleic acid method, the level of antioxidant activity of a substance was determined by measuring the oxidation products of linoleic acid, which simultaneously attack β-carotene, resulting in discoloration of its characteristic yellow color [63,64]. With increasing concentration, a rise in antioxidant activity was seen in ethyl acetate and methanol extracts. The antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate and methanol extracts at high concentrations (100 mg/mL) reached significant levels, 81.8% and 79.3%, respectively [65].
The presence of phenolic hydroxyl or methoxyl groups, flavone hydroxyl groups, keto groups, free carboxyl groups, and other structural characteristics may contribute to antioxidant activity [66].  Various extracts from the aerial part of Anabasis aretioides (ethyl acetate, methanol, and macerated methanol) have antibacterial activity against six different strains of bacteria. The extracts showed good efficacy against all strains, including both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus CECT976, Bacillus subtilis DSM6633, Listeria innocua CECT 4030) and Gramnegative bacteria (Escherichia coli K12, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa CECT118). In particular, the ethyl acetate extract showed the highest inhibitory effect against Staphylococcus aureus (13.5 mm), while the methanol and macerated methanol extracts showed the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration for Proteus mirabilis (3.125 mg/mL) ( Table 3). The studies were carried out using various methods, including the disk diffusion method in an agar medium and the determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations and bactericidal concentrations [19,44].
Previous studies on Anabasis aretioides reported that serial dilution testing in 96-well microplates yielded minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 7.81 to 31.25 mg/mL. The extract from the seed and aerial parts had a similar MIC value of 7.81 mg/mL and demonstrated an antibacterial activity. Plant seeds were more effective against S. enterica and P. aeruginosa and aerial parts against two strains, S. enterica and S. aureus. The MBC values of the MeOH extracts from the various parts were equal to or close to the MIC, indicating strong bactericidal activity. No differences were observed between these strains in MIC and MBC values for all parts of Anabasis aretioides [45,67].
The antibacterial activity of Anabasis aretioides extracts may be related to phenolic compounds present in plant extracts [68,69]. Gram+ bacteria have been observed to be more sensitive to A. aretioides extracts than Gram-. Gram-negative bacteria have a complicated cell membrane that limits the entry of antibiotic substances, obstructing access to the cell membrane. Lipopolysaccharides' strong hydrophilicity prevents larger hydrophilic solutes from passing through the porins, preventing this from happening [70,71].

Anabasis articulata
The good antimicrobial potential of Anabasis articulata has been observed using the disk diffusion method for an extract of pure basic alkaloids. Extracts of total alkaloids, pure basic alkaloids, and tetravalent alkaloids showed no antibacterial activity, with the exception of against M. luteus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This effect was very marked against Gram-positive pathogens, especially M. luteus and L. monocytogenes, which showed the largest IZD at 400 mg/mL of the pure basic alkaloid extract (16 and 20 mm, respectively), followed by B. subtilis with an IZD of 14. 25 mm. For C. albicans, the extract of tetravalent alkaloids at a concentration of 400 mg/mL showed the smallest zone of inhibition (8 mm) (Table 3) [20,72].
In other studies, a methanolic extract of Anabasis articulata at 25 mg/mL was found to exhibit a higher degree of antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa than at 50 mg/mL, probably due to a synergistic effect. At the same time, no effect was found for Bacillus subtilis, in contrast to the methanol control group, where the colonies spread normally.
The results of the study by Al-Joufi et al. (2022) [60] showed that the n-hexane (oily) fraction had the largest ZI against all tested strains: S. dysentery, E. coli, and S. typhi, of 20, 24, and 16 mm, respectively. The broad-spectrum antibiotic ampicillin was used as a positive control.

Anabasis aphylla
Extracts of four different concentrations of Anabasis aphylla tested for antimicrobial activity using disk diffusion assay against microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus showed that the n-butanol fraction at a concentration of 100 mg/mL has the maximum antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis (13 mm) and Proteus mirabilis (18 mm) and antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger (20 mm), while the 100 mg/mL ethyl acetate fraction showed maximum antibacterial activity against Proteus mirabilis (18 mm) and antifungal activity against Candida albicans (19 mm). All of these fractions exhibited no antibacterial activity at a 1 mg/mL concentration. Aqueous extracts had antibacterial activity at 25 and 100 mg/mL. Strong antifungal activity was seen against Aspergillus niger (14 mm) and Candida albicans (12 mm) in aqueous extracts at a dosage of 0.1 mg/mL, as well as antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhi (10 mm) and Proteus mirabilis (10 mm) (Table 3) [65,73].
The studies of Du et al. (2009) [74] showed that crude ethanol extracts and their various polar fractions from the aerial parts of Anabasis aphylla exhibited antibacterial activity against six bacterial strains, Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas lachrymans, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and Xanthomonas vesicatoria, as well as antifungal activity against eleven species of fungi, Alternaria solani, Bipolaris maydis, Rhizoctonia ceramicis, R. solani, Fusarium graminearum, F. oxysporum f sp. cucumerinum, F. oxysporum f sp. niverum, F. vasinfectum, Venturia pirina, Leptosphaeria biglobosa, and Magnaporthe grisea, in vitro. Both the ethyl acetate fraction and the n-butanol fraction of this plant species had stronger antimicrobial activity than the petroleum ether fraction and the aqueous fraction. The results showed that active antimicrobial compounds can be associated with alkaloids of moderate polarity, are slightly alkaline, and easily form salts with acid in Anabasis aphylla.

Antiangiogenesis Effect
Abdulsahib et al. (2016) [76] discovered the potential antiangiogenic antioxidant effect of Anabasis articulata stem extracts. From the articulated stems of Anabasis articulata, a powder was obtained, which was successively treated with petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol, and water using the cold maceration method. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging assay was used to analyze the antioxidant properties. All four extracts (ethanol, butanol, ethyl acetate, and methanol) showed strong inhibition of microvessel growth in the rat aorta assay compared to the negative control (p < 0.001), but the methanol extract showed the highest percentage of antiangiogenic activity. Methanolic extracts of Anabasis articulata stems showed a significant dose-dependent antiangiogenic effect with an IC 50 of 18.27 µg/mL. In addition, the methanolic extracts show significant free radical scavenging activity (p < 0.05) with an IC 50 of 94.7 µg/mL. Methanolic extracts of Anabasis articulata stems showed the best and most significant antiangiogenic activity, as well as significant free radical scavenging activity. 20 Chloroform 100 11.5 11.5 8 - [44] An in vivo study of the stems of Anabasis articulata also showed a good antiangiogenic effect. The stems of Anabasis articulata were sequentially extracted with four types of solvents of different polarity. As a result, it was found that the zones of inhibition ranged from 7 to 10 mm. FT-IR has shown that some of the recognized functional groups may relate to flavones, coumarins, alkaline compounds, saponins, and tannins. Scopoletin, 2methoxy-4-vinylphenol, glycine, and 1,2-dimethyl-piperidine were found in the methanol extract. These are substances that have the ability to block the VEGF receptor, thereby inhibiting angiogenesis [76].

Anti-Inflammatory Activity
Bioguided fractionation of Anabasis setifera Moq. demonstrates anti-inflammatory activity against the carrageenan model of paw edema in rats. Based on the percentage inhibition of edema after a 3 h injection of carrageenan, the n-butanol fraction showed promising activity due to a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in paw volume of 85.6% compared to control using indomethacin as a reference standard. In addition, the n-butanol fraction significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the levels of PGE2 and TNF-α in rat paw edema exudates [34].

Hypoglycemic and Antihyperglycemic Effects
Experiments performed on mice without diabetes and mice with hyperglycemia (mice treated with glucose and alloxan) confirmed the antidiabetic potential of Anabasis articulata and found that oral administration of an aqueous leaf extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg reduced glycemia by 29.89% after 6 h (p < 0.05), which corresponds to the greatest decrease in blood glucose levels in normoglycemic mice. This dose also reduced blood glucose concentrations in diabetic mice, showing an antihyperglycemic effect of Anabasis articulata leaves. Phytochemical screening showed that the aqueous extract contained alkaloids (1.25%) and saponins (1.30%). The results demonstrate that saponin (5 mg/kg) is the active fraction as it restores normal blood glucose levels after 21 days of treatment. The alkaloid fraction did not significantly reduce blood glucose levels. According to the authors, the antihyperglycemic activity of Anabasis articulata, due to the release of insulin by the pancreas, has a direct insulinotropic effect, and this may also be due to the insulin-like effect of the active principle (saponin) [34].
The studies carried out by Amin et al. (2022) reported the inhibitory potential of Anabasis aretioides methanolic extracts on key enzymes associated with hyperglycemia. In vitro assays showed a moderate inhibitory effect compared to the positive control. The results obtained show that the aerial parts show the most important inhibitory activity with 90.25% and IC 50 = 2940.59 ± 110.32 µg/g. ml for α-glucosidase, while the roots showed 86.98% inhibition and IC 50 = 2440.20 ± 84.90 µg/mL for α-amylase. The percentage inhibition of these enzymes increases with increasing concentration [78].

Antidiabetic Effects
The study of the effect of saponin fractions of the alcoholic extract of the aerial parts of the medicinal plant Anabasis articulata in comparison with the currently available antidiabetic drug gliclazide (Diamicron) against diabetic complications caused by tissue damage in rats showed an antidiabetic and therapeutic role. Oral administration of the plant modulated the diabetic increase in blood glucose and cortisol levels, suggesting an antihyperglycemic effect of this medicinal plant. It effectively increased the concentration of the hormone insulin and alpha-fetoprotein in the blood. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the blood also significantly decreased. It also effectively reduced blood fructosamine levels to normal levels due to diabetic hemoglobin (Hb) depletion and albumin levels. In addition, the consumption of the plant effectively modulated oxidative damage to liver tissue [79]. According to the researchers, the antidiabetic activity may be related to the components of saponin, and its antihyperglycemic activity is achieved through the release of insulin from the pancreas, that is, it has a direct insulinotropic effect, or it may be due to the insulin-like effect of the active substance (saponin) present in extract [22,80].
A study of the effect of an aqueous extract of Anabasis aretioides on blood glucose levels and lipid metabolism in rats with normal diabetes and diabetes induced by streptozotocin was performed using the method inducing the effect of an aqueous extract of the aerial part of Anabasis aretioides (A.P.A.E) (5 mg/kg) on blood glucose levels in normal rats and rats suffering from streptozotocin-induced diabetes (n = 6), with an examination of histopathological changes in the liver and pancreas in both normal rats and rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes, in consequence of which it was found that both single and oral administrations (A.P.A.E) (5 mg/kg) caused a significant decrease in blood glucose levels in STZ rats (p < 0.0001) [81].

Glaucoma
The methanolic extract of Anabasis articulata (AA) showed an antioxidant effect on intraocular pressure in glaucoma rat models. A daily dose of AA extract (50 mg/kg/day) for 6 days significantly reduced intraocular pressure (p < 0.05) from (34.23 ± 0.58) to (32.83 ± 1.38) mm Hg. compared with the control group, which experienced an increase in intraocular pressure by being administered a suspension of betamethasone. In another group of rats treated with a dose of 100 mg/kg/day, intraocular pressure significantly decreased from (35.5 ± 1.37) to (31.35 ± 0.40) mm Hg. (p < 0.05) after 1 week of treatment. In the group of rats receiving a dose of 150 mg/kg/day, a significant (p < 0.001) decrease in IOP from (35.66 ± 0.39) to (31.88 ± 0.74) mm Hg. was shown, starting on the 6th day and continuing until the end of the experiment, reaching (24.53 ± 0.53) mm Hg. (p < 0.001) [82].

Antiarthritic Activity
A study to detect the antiarthritic effects of Anabasis articulata (AA) in a rat model of arthritis showed good results. Complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) was used intradermally (ID) to induce arthritis. AA administration increased body weight (BW), but decreased arthritis index (AI), histopathological parameters, and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in synovial cells. Compared with the induced group, daily administration of AA significantly reduced the arthritis score in both the treatment (p = 0.0034) and prevention (p = 0.0023) groups. Compared to the induced group, daily administration of AA in the prophylactic group significantly increased (p = 0.0042) BW. In addition, the weight of rats in the AA group had a more significant (p = 0.0013) increase [83].

Hepatoprotective Effects
An ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of Anabasis articulata showed protective and therapeutic effects on dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis similar to the standard drug silymarin. Administration of an ethanol extract of Anabasis articulata (100 mg/kg daily for 4 weeks) markedly prevented DMN-induced weight loss in the body and liver. The extract significantly inhibited the increase in hepatic hydroxyproline, NO, and MDA (p < 0.05), as well as serum fructosamine and TGF-β1 (p < 0.05) induced by DMN, while restoring IL-10 to normal levels in the protective and therapeutic groups. In addition, Anabasis articulata prevented depletion of CAT, GR, and GSH levels (p ≤ 0.05). At the same time, oral administration of A. articulata extract and silymarin in both protective and therapeutic groups reduced the increase in the activity of liver function enzymes, alanine, aspartate aminotransferases, and gamma-glutamyltransferases, in addition to alkaline phosphatase, and caused a significant increase in serum albumin concentration compared to the DMN group. These data were in close agreement with those obtained for the preparation silymarin [84]. Histopathological studies confirmed the biochemical findings and showed a significant improvement in liver structure [34].
Phenolic compounds contain one (phenolic acids) or several (polyphenols) aromatic rings with hydroxyl groups attached to them. Their antioxidant abilities are related to these hydroxyl groups and phenolic rings. Despite their antioxidant activity, they have many other beneficial properties for human health. However, before the health benefits of these compounds can be attributed, important issues to consider are the absorption, distribution, and metabolism of each phenolic compound in the body. Phenolic compounds are known to exhibit various biological activities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Phenolic compounds are mainly classified according to their chemical structures into phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, phenolic lignans, and phenolic stilbenes [85,86] Phenolic compounds have shown antioxidant properties, with their potential being directly related to the type of solvent used in extraction, as well as plant origin, growing conditions, harvest time, and storage conditions [87]. The study of the antioxidant potential of phenolic extracts obtained from plant species Anabasis aretioides, Anabasis articulata, Anabasis aphylla, and Anabasis setifera is one of the hot topics in the scientific community.
Alkaloids are nitrogen (in the form of a primary, a secondary, or a tertiary amine) and organic molecules, and secondary metabolites of plants, usually containing nitrogen in a ring; about 20% of plant species contain alkaloids [88]. Anabasis aphylla methanol extract was produced and, from this extract, an alkaloid with antibacterial and antioxidant effect was isolated. An alkaloid with antibacterial and antioxidant effects was found in the methanol extract of Anabasis aphylla.

Conclusions
Four plant species of the genus Anabasis have a wide and growing range of medicinal potential and have had the majority of their potential actions demonstrated either in vitro or in vivo. Their wide range of therapeutic benefits have also been highlighted by a few clinical investigations. To define and validate the ethnopharmacological profile of these four plant species in the genus Anabasis, more of these types of studies are necessary. Therefore, more research must be carried out using clinical disease models in order to assess and demonstrate the herbs' effectiveness in treating various ailments. Even if the active compounds are derived from natural sources, using them at high doses to achieve therapeutic benefits may have certain severe adverse effects. In order to perform molecular modification of the active compounds in order to adopt an appropriate therapeutic regimen that can be produced on a commercial scale, future research should be focused on the identification of active constituents in these four plant species of the genus Anabasis, their large-scale synthesis, evaluation of chemical properties, therapeutic evaluation, and toxicity. Another option is to employ these four species of the genus Anabasis as an adjuvant for chemotherapy medications. This would allow for lower dosages of the synthetic drugs and ultimately less severe side effects. The underlying mechanisms of action of these acclaimed medicinal plants should also be revealed through some explanatory mechanistic investigations, which will validate the traditional knowledge related to these cherished medicinal herbs. Strengthening of the extraction techniques already used, medication standardization procedures, and upcoming clinical studies on the health promoting properties of these herbs would all contribute to increasing their practical utility.