Nazim Mamedov, an adjunct assistant professor in the Stockbridge School of Agriculture, has been engaged in research that highlights the pharmacological properties of specific herbal plants native to Syria and Iran. His work, published in two chapters of the anthology “Biodiversity, Conservation and Sustainability in Asia,” not only contributes to the international scientific community but also enriches the content of his courses on herbal medicine.
Among the plants he has studied is Peganum harmala, commonly known as Syrian rue. This plant has historical use in traditional folk medicine across Central Asia, the Middle East, and Azerbaijan. By employing scientific methods and modern laboratory equipment, Mamedov has discovered that Syrian rue holds potential in treating anxiety and depression. In a small study, around 90% of participants experienced improvement in their mild to moderate symptoms. Additionally, Mamedov suggests its antispasmodic and pain-relieving properties, particularly in conditions like Parkinson’s disease, eye afflictions, and rheumatoid arthritis. He also references other scientists’ findings that elements of the plant can suppress cancerous tumor growth.
Mamedov is recognized as an expert in ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology of medicinal plants, with over 90 publications. Recently, he conducted a webinar on “Medicinal Plants for Cancer Treatment” for students and researchers at the University of Maragheh in Iran.
Thyme (thymus), a native plant of Iran, is another focus of his research. It has been traditionally used as an expectorant for treating chest congestion from the common cold. Mamedov asserts that the pharmacological potential of thyme has not been thoroughly explored. His work involved differentiating between the 14 species of thyme and using phytochemistry to highlight the essential oils present, which exhibit antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antioxidative properties. Notably, thymol, a compound found in thyme, inhibits the growth of various pathogens including streptococcus, staphylococcus, E. coli, and salmonella.
Together with his student Alina Gusev, Mamedov published a paper titled “The Correlation Between Color of Flowers and Healing Abilities of Medicinal Plants” in Acta Botanica Caucasica. This paper suggests that plants with similar colored flowers often have similar effects on the body. For instance, purple flowering herbs might support the immune system, blue flowering herbs could be anti-inflammatory, yellow ones might aid digestion, and white ones might have sedative or nervous system-regulating properties. While these correlations aren’t absolute, they offer students a foundation for understanding the natural world through scientific exploration.