The percentage of oil in the seeds of four species, belonging to COMPOSITAE FAMILY, was determined. The range of fat content in the seeds studied was 16.3-43.5%. The results obtained by gas chromatographic separation showed that concentration of linoleic acid in Carthamus oxyacantha Bieb and Gundelia taurnefartii L. was 76.06 and 60.15%, respectively. The results also indicated that oleic acid (C 18:1) was the predominant fatty acid in Cynara syriaca Boiss. and Cirsium cangestum Fich & Mey with a concentration of 47.70 and 37.50, respectively. Most of the isolated fats showed a high iodine value which is comparable with those of cultivated oil seed crops. In the case of Cirsium cangesum species, palmitoleic and arachidic acids were detected. These acids were not observed in other species.

The purpose of this study was to investigate COMPOSITAE species diversity in central part of Saveh region. It is located in North of Saveh with the altitude of more 160o m.a.s.l. and between the longitude of 50o, 1’, 30’’ and latitude of 35o, 1’, 20’’. The total area is 1500 ha. The results of field investigation were collection and identification of 60 plant species belonging to 36 genera of COMPOSITAE FAMILY. Centurea, Lactuca and Tragopogon were the most abundant plant genera of the area.In this region, we were finding some new plants of Copositae FAMILY that can become new species or subspecies. A morphological comparison between these new records and related species is presented.Location of distribution of COMPOSITAE species are described. The distribution of some species in this region is a newly found locality for these species of COMPOSITAE in Iran.

Cynara scolymus L. is a plant from the COMPOSITAE FAMILY which is used in herbal medicine. In this study, the effects of hydroalchoholic extract of Cynara scolymus, on the amount of glucose, lipids and lipoprotein in alloxan monohydrate diabeties rats were investigated, and compared with galibenglamid as antidiabetic drug. The pancreatic tissues were investigated. In order to perform this study, 20 adult male rats were used, and divided in 4 groups of each five rats. Group 1 served normal control and in each injection received only normal saline. The second group is treated with alloxan monohydrate at a dosis of 20mg/kg.bw. In the 3rd and 4th groups, in addition to alloxan, galibenglamid (0.5 mg/kg) and hydroalchoholic extract of Cynara scolymus (300mg/kg) were administered respectively. 48 hours after the last injection, blood sampling was performed by cardiac puncture to measure serum factors. The results have proves that the extract of cynara, the level of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerids, VLDL, and LDL, iv comparation with the diabetic groups, is significantly reduced but the level of HDL is increased(p<0.05). The effect of cynara on all studied factors is evident and is equal to the group of galibenglamid (p>0.05). The pathological results on damaged tissue shows that the pancreatic islets have grown significantly, the amount of cell proliferation the islets and the rate of cell growth is estimulated in compared with diabetic group. This research has shown that the hydroalchoholic extract of cynara has a reducing effect on glucose, lipids and lipoprotein in the serum of diabetic rats. This extract is very effective in the revitalization of damaged pancreatic tissues. Therefore extract of Cynara scolymus has antidiabetic effects.

Determination of rangeland forage quality is an important factor in assessing the nutrition status of livestock dependent on rangeland, determining suitable grazing time, increasing livestock efficacy and less damaging to rangelands. This study was conducted to determine the nutritional value and digestibility of four dominant species of COMPOSITAE FAMILY in Baft rangelands located in Kerman province. The species including: Artemisia aucheri, Artemisia persica, Scorzonera tortusissima and Cousina sicigera, which were sampled in phonological stages of vegetative growth, flowering and seeding. The results showed that the mean values of chemical composition of the mentioned species at different growth stages were 9. 94, 8. 9, 6. 21 and 10. 40% of crude protein (CP), 45. 62, 45. 77, 61. 07 and 42. 83% of NDF and 32. 77, 33. 05, 46. 61 and 31. 73% of ADF, respectively. By increasing age of all plant species, CP was decreased (P<0. 01) but except for Scorzonera tortusissima, the values of NDF and ADF were increased in other species (P<0. 01). The average digestibility of the mentioned species dry matter at vegetative, flowering and seeding stages were 57. 41, 53. 54, 45. 34 and 39. 67%, respectively. The average of metabolizable energy (ME) of the mentioned species at vegetative, flowering and seeding stages were estimated to be 2. 24, 2. 24, 1. 86 and 2. 26 Cal/g, respectively. The average concentrations of mineral elements such as calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron and manganese of these four rangeland species were more than the critical requirements of sheep and goat, while the concentrations of phosphorus, copper and zinc in these plants were less than the critical level for sheep and goat requirements. Generally, the four species studied in terms of CP and ME, especially in the early stages of growth, provide the needs of sheep and goats in the region.

Following 3 species of COMPOSITAE are reported as new records to Iran: Cousinia pycnoloba, Lactuca dissecta and Launaea remotiflora. The collecting localities and their figures are given.

Cousinia zardkuhensis, C. shulabadensis and C. khorrramabadensis var. purpurea are described as new taxa from Bakhtiari and Lorestan provinces. Cousinia carduchorum and C. myriolepis are recorded for the first time in Iran. Also Cousinia radians which had been considered as a doubtful species is confirmed to be a good species.

This study has been based on the examination of many new collections from Zagros Mountains. Cousinia kermanshahensis is described from Kermanshah province. It is compared with the closest relative. Due to the collection of new materials, poor descriptions of Cousinia sefidiana and C. disfulensis are completed. Cousinia hakkarica and C. algurdina are new reports from NW. Iran.Cousinia wettesteiniana is separated from C. canescens as a distinct species.Distribution map is given for some of the species.