ABSTRACT
Quercus infectoria gall (QIG) is a natural product with high medicinal and industrial value. An interaction between oak trees and the embryonic and larval secretions of gall wasps leads to the process of galling. From ancient times, oak gall has been recognized by Middle Easterners. These gray, spherical, astringent, and woody nutgalls contain high amounts of polyphenolic compounds like gallic acid and hydrolysable tannins. Flavonoids like hesperidin and minerals are other phytoconstituents of oak galls. Persian medicine manuscripts have introduced oak gall for malodorous sweat, hyperhidrosis, epistaxis, diarrhea, hemorrhage, hypermenorrhea, aphtha, oral wounds, dental cavity, toothache, colitis, blepharitis, vaginitis, and herpes. Some indications of QIG by ethnic groups in the Middle East are infections, inflammatory diseases, skin disorders, gingivitis, wounds, diarrhea, hemorrhage, menorrhagia, dysentery, rectal prolapse, and genital ailments. Phytochemicals in QIG exhibit potent cytotoxicity on various types of cancer cells, regulated by apoptotic cell death, without leaving adverse effects on normal cells. Numerous studies have confirmed the antimicrobial effects of oak gall extracts; gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive, suggesting the protective effects of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. Various studies have verified oak gall’s analgesic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing activities. Ancient and ethnic knowledge is considered a valuable source for designing further rational investigations about QIG.
