Advanced Herbal Medicine, 2015; 1(4): 21-27. * Corresponding author: Research and Technology Dept., Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, I.R. Iran, Tel: 00989140204896, E-mail: kiani.sandra@yahoo.com 21 herbmed.skums.ac.ir INTRODUCTION Iran is known as one of the main regions of plant biodiversity in the world with a desirable climate and geography. This allows a rich diversity of medicinal plants that are mainly endemic. 1 Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff, known as Keluss or Karafs-e- Bakhtiari in Persian, with only one species founded merely in Central Zagros Mountain belonged to Apiaceae family is a sweet-smelling, self-growing plant, umbelliferae, wild rebus, erect, hairless, annual aromatic herb, which grows up to 120 to 200 cm hight. 2-6 It has enormous uses as food, spice and medicinal herb. 7 Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff from Apiaceae family is an endemic and endangered ethnomedicinal plant from Iran. 8 It bears a unique flavorful smell; K. odoratissima is vastly used as spice especially in yoghurt. Pickles of small leaves and shoots are common in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province in south west of Iran. 9 The leaves of this plant can be used as an edible, wild vegetable, flavoring and it is traditionally consumed as The essential oil composition of wild celery (Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff.): An Iranian endemic plant Mehdi Ghasemi 1 , Sara Kaini 2* 1 Horticulture Science Dept., Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, I.R. Iran; 2 Research and Technology Dept., Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, I.R. Iran. Received: 22/Sep/2015 Accepted: 26/Oct/2015 ABSTRACT Background and aims: Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. is an Iranian endangered endemic plant with a wide use in the Central Zagros region of Iran as spice and medicinal herb for inflammatory and cardiovascular purposes. The aim of this study was to assess the essential oil compositions of Birahgan ecotype of K. odoratissima in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Methods: The aerial parts of K. odoratissima were collected from Birahgan ecotype and then dried. The essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation and were analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. Results: Twenty-four compounds were identified, of which the major components were found to be Z-ligustilide (64.3%), 2-octen-1-ol acetate (12.0%), (Z)-3-butyldiene Phthalides (4.5%), menthyl acetate (3.0%), α-copaene (2.8%), δ-cadinene (2.2%), neo-menthol (1.6%), menthol (1.5%) and α-cadinene (1.5%). The group of Phthalides was included as Z-ligustilide, E-ligustilide, (Z)-3-Butyldiene Phthalides and (E)-3-Butyldiene Phthalides, which these compounds formed 70.10% of all identified components. Conclusion: Like other ecotypes, the ecotype of Birahgan is a rich source of Z-ligustilide that can be used in the pharmaceutical industries. Keywords: Birahgan, Central Zagros, Essential oil, Z-ligustilide, Kelussia odoratissima Mozaff. Original article