Introduction

Medicinal plants are God’s blessings, a precious inheritance for human well-being. Due to Iran’s unique variable climates, because of its location in the part of the world consisting of five vegetation zones: Iranian Turan, Hyrcania, Arasbaran, Zagros, Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, it has considerable varieties. With the advancement of botany, more than 8000 species of plants have been recognized to date.

So far it has been estimated that out of this number, 2300 species have medicinal properties. However, despite these god-given resources, the uses of these medicinal plants in different industries of Iran is inconsiderable in comparison to that of developed or developing countries.

Considering the fact that the world has now a tendency towards the use of herbal natural compounds with, the history of the usage of plants in traditional medicine and the increase of the production of medicinal plant products in the recent years in our country, it is only fair to have long term plans in order to achieve a consistent progress in the field of medicinal plants.

Therefore, in order to attain this end the following approaches are required: recognition, preservation, revival and production of the valuable plant species, fulfilment of fundamental and practical research, training of experts, cultralization and propagation of the usage of medicinal plants.

Starting up the network

With respect to the significance of the formation of research structures for scientific decision making, the subject of networking was mentioned in the National Scientific Research Council in the early 1990s. This was predicted in the research arrangement programs in the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology and according to Section(C) of Act 46 of fourth economic, social and cultural development plan of Islamic Republic of Iran law, it is the government’s responsibilities to make uniformed research and technology unit networks under administrative systems for purposeful and optimal distribution of research credits, and to supervise and monitor all the relative scientific activities with reliance on global indexes.

In 2004, on calling of the Research Deputy of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, public assembly of National Network of Research and Technology in Medicinal Plants was formed, together with the presence of representatives from different research units such as universities, industries, institutions and research centers. Eventually the network council formally started its work with the selection of 5 research centers as main members and two other alternate members. The responsibility that this network will have is to predict the policies of research and technology to present new horizons to Iranian officials.

Mission

To achieve a suitable rank in medicinal plants among at least the first 12 countries of the world and to endeavor to maintain the high rank position in order to economically, socially and sanitarily develop Islamic Republic of Iran.

Aims

To cause mutual understanding, systematic cooperation, coordination in operationalizing common programs and making decisions in policy-making and planning.

Strategies

1- Assistance in policy-making of national research priorities in medicinal plants

2- Preparation of the usage of new technology in different fields of medicinal plants.

3- Scientific and research interaction with international centers in different fields of medicinal plants.

4- Application of researches conducted in the fields of medicinal plants

5- Assistance to start up research groups under the network units

6- Construction of websites for informatory purposes and connections between members of network units

7- Administration of research ideas and common cultural, research and educational plans

8- Endeavor to accept membership to the network from all the units with common grounds whether from private sectors or governmental ones

9- Transference of technical knowledge to private sectors from our country or abroad and absorption of financial resources from them

10- Connection establishment with industry and assistance to the development of private or governmental centers

11- Holding common scientific seminars and meetings concerning different fields of medicinal plants

12- Sharing of equipments

13- Exchange of faculty members and students

14- Any cooperation agreed by the network

Network Organizational Structure

Members of the council

1- Main members

2- Alternate members

Main Members of the Council

• Medicinal Plants and Drugs Research Institute of Shahid Beheshti University – Representative: Dr. Peyman Salehi
• Research Institute of Forests and Rangelands- Representative: Dr. Mohammad Bagher Rezaie
• Shahid Beheshti Medical University School of Pharmacy- Representative: Dr. Faraz Mojab
• Pasteur Institute of Iran- Representative: Dr. Soroush Sardari
• Barij Essence Pharmaceutical co.-Representative: Dr. Maryam Nikzad
• Alternate Members of the Council
• Medicinal Plants Research Institutes, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research-
• Representative: Dr. Reza Haji Aghaie
• Association of Producers of Herbal Medicines and Products-Representative: Dr. Sadr-o-din Nabavi

Managers of the working groups

• Basic science work group: Dr. Mohammad Bagher Rezaie
• Agricultural and natural resource work group: Dr. Farzad Najafi
• Medical and pharmaceutical work group: Dr. Faraz Mojab
• Industrial and economic work group: Mr. Vahid Gorji
• Advance technology work group: Dr. Sattar Tahmasebi

Network secretariat

Azadeh Yaghoubian

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