Ethnobotanical Survey of the Medicinal Plants used in the Southern Mediterranean. Case Study: The Region of Bissa (Northeastern Dahra Mountains, Algeria)

Abstract

Introduction: The present study falls within the framework of valorization of medical plants and traditional knowledge's in the Northeastern part of Dahra Mountain, Algeria. Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted between 2016 and 2018 in order to study the traditional and therapeutic use of medical plants amongst the local population. Data collected was analyzed using quantitative indices such as the fidelity level (FL) and Informant Consensus Factor (FIC). Results:The results revealed 70 medicinal species belonging to 38 botanical families, among which, five families were the most commonly used by the local population, especially the families Lamiaceae and Asteraceae. In term of species, the highest frequencies of medicinal use were shown respectively by Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Mast. (6.49%), Pistacia lentiscus L. (6.11%), Myrtus communis L. (5.34%) and Thymus vulgaris L. (4.96%). Among the various parts of the plant, leaves were the most used part and decoction was the most frequent form of use. Finally, the gastro-intestinal system disorders were the most treated diseases with a percentage of 28.24%. Conclusion: This first ethnobotanical study conducted in the region of Bissa revealed a very rich local knowledge in term of traditional herbal medicine; this fact was reflected by the high diversity of species used in the treatment of several diseases. In light of this, it is therefore very important to subject some of the major species to further phytochemical and pharmacological studies in order to validate their traditional use and to probably discover new bioactive molecules. This paper documented the results of ethnobotanical study carried out in the northeastern Dahra Mountains, Algeria. A total of 70 species belonging to 38 families. Lamiaceae and Asteraceae were the most used plant family by the local population. Leaves were the most used part, the majority of remedies were prepared as a decoction and gastro-intestinal system disorders were the most treated diseases. This first ethnobotanical study conducted in the region of Bissa revealed a very rich local knowledge in term of traditional herbal medicine.

Phytochemical Compounds of Branches from P. halepensis Oily Liquid Extract and S. terebinthifolius Essential Oil and Their Potential Antifungal Activity

“…Several cited chemical compositions of P. halepensis have been published regarding terpenes, fatty acids, aldehydes, and cyclic phenolic compounds [59][60][61]. The lipophilic extractives (resin acids, terpenes, fatty acids, glycerides, steryl esters, sterols) were extracted using n-hexane then the hydrophilic ones (stilbenes, flavanols, monosaccharides, sugar alcohols) with acetone/water from sapwood and heartwood of P. halepensis stem [62].…”

Physicochemical characterization and antibacterial and antifungal activities of Pistacia lentiscus oils in Northeastern Algeria.

“…Few studies have been carried out on the physicochemical quality and the antibacterial and antifungal power of medicinal plants oils. Most of researches conducted were devoted to ethnobotanical studies which have become increasingly important in recent decades, particularly in North Africa and Algeria (Fakchich and Elachouri, 2014;Boughrara and Legseir, 2016;Rhattas et al, 2016;Bouasla and Bouasla, 2017;Katiri et al, 2017;Miara et al, 2018;Lazli et al, 2019;Senouci et al, 2019;Zahir et al, 2020).…”

“…Various studies have reported the high antioxidant capacity of the plant species (Longo et al, 2007;Arab et al, 2014;Dahmoune et al, 2014;Djedaia 2017). Senouci et al, (2019) reported that aerial parts contain terpineol, which is known to be effective against microbial activity. From the literature reviewed, it appears that Pistacia lentiscus leaves have a higher yield of phenolic compounds than fruits or essential oils (Arab et al, 2014;Bampouli et al, 2015).…”

“…Depending on the local region, Pistacia lentiscus fruit oil is often used as an external remedy applied locally as an ointment to treat burns (Bensegueni, 2007) or back pain (Bellakhdar, 1997). It is also used orally for respiratory problems of allergic origin and stomach ulcers (Miara et al, 2018;Senouci et al, 2019). In most of the rural localities where this plant grows, the production of its oil, which is based on purely traditional methods, is carried out by women (Djedaia, 2017;Lazli et al, 2019;Senouci et al, 2019).…”

“…It is also used orally for respiratory problems of allergic origin and stomach ulcers (Miara et al, 2018;Senouci et al, 2019). In most of the rural localities where this plant grows, the production of its oil, which is based on purely traditional methods, is carried out by women (Djedaia, 2017;Lazli et al, 2019;Senouci et al, 2019). This undeniably lucrative activity has, however, opened up new horizons for other local populations, who have begun to produce at a more business-oriented production rate.…”