Desert Endemic Plants in Algeria: A Review on Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Polyphenolic Compounds and Pharmacological Activities

Abstract

Due to their robust antioxidant capabilities, potential health benefits, wide variety of biological activities, and strong antioxidant qualities, phenolic compounds are substances that have drawn considerable attention in recent years. The main goal of the review is to draw attention to saharian Algerian medicinal plants and the determination of their bioactivity (antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory importance), and to present their chemical composition as well as in vivo and in vitro studies, clinical studies, and other studies confirming their real impact on human health. Research results have revealed a rich variety of medicinal plants used to treat various disease states in this region. Based on in vivo and in vitro studies, biological activity, and clinical studies, a list of 34 species of desert plants, belonging to 20 botanical families, useful both in preventive actions and in the treatment of neoplastic diseases has been established, and polyphenolic compounds have been identified as key to the health potential of endemic diseases and desert plants. It has been shown that people who follow a diet rich in polyphenols are less prone to the risk of many cancers and chronic diseases, such as obesity and diabetes. In view of the increasing antioxidant potential of these plant species, as well as the increasing trade in herbal products from the Sahara region, phytosanitary and pharmaceutical regulations must change in this respect and should be in line with Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), and the sustainable use and development of plant products must be addressed at the same time.

Chemical Composition and Future Perspectives of Essential Oil Obtained from a Wild Population of Stachys germanica L. Distributed in the Balkan Mountains in Bulgaria

“…Nowadays, many contemporary pharmaceutical roots could be found in the traditional medicine of different nations [ 57 ]. Although the pharmaceutical revolution has led to the synthesis of numerous new molecules, many significant novel medicines are expected to have natural origins and to be based on data from folk medicine [ 44 , 57 , 58 ].…”

Mycochemical Constituents and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Terfezia claveryi Chatin from Algeria

“…The results obtained are shown in Table 2. A large number of scientific studies demonstrate that the consumption of a polyphenol-rich diet helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases, with health benefits for the human body [18,19].…”

Contribution of Constituents in Rosemary‐Magnolia Compound Essential Oil to Antibacterial, Antioxidant and Cytotoxicity Bioactivities Revealed by Grey Correlation Analysis

“…The projected potential for development is essentially unlimited due to the enormous contribution of medicinal plants to health care, economic income, cultural identity, and livelihood security. [15][16][17] Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is a widely distributed aromatic shrub with good market prospects due to its rich active ingredients that are widely used in the field of medicine, food preservation, cosmetic and other industries. [18][19][20][21] It has been demonstrated that rosemary EO has good antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects, [22,23] and is effective in alleviating depression and reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease.…”

“…Human research on medicinal plants has been uninterrupted, stemming from the important role they play in everyday life. The projected potential for development is essentially unlimited due to the enormous contribution of medicinal plants to health care, economic income, cultural identity, and livelihood security [15–17] . Rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis ) is a widely distributed aromatic shrub with good market prospects due to its rich active ingredients that are widely used in the field of medicine, food preservation, cosmetic and other industries [18–21] .…”