Ethnopharmacological study of medicinal plants used for chronic diseases treatment in Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region (Morocco)

Abstract

Background: This work aims to the valorization of resources in the provinces of Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region, particularly aromatic and medicinal plants, and to the collection and documentation of the new ethno-medico-botanical information concerning the traditional use of these medicinal plants against chronic disease.Methods: An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region with traditional herbalists, on one hand, and with subjects suffering from chronic diseases on the other hand, during 5 months from February to June 2019. Data were collected thanks to 581 questionnaire cards based on semi-structured interviews. Relative Citation Frequency (RFC), Family Importance Value (FIV), Plant Part Value (PPV), Fidelity Level (FL), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) were used in ethnobotanical data analysis.Results: A total of 79 medicinal and aromatic plant species were identified, belonging to 74 genera and 39 botanical families, of which Lamiaceae (FIV=0.038) and Asteraceae (FIV=0.015) were the most frequently represented. The most cited plant species were Nigella sativa (RFC=0.12), and Origanum compactum (RFC= 0.091). Leaves represent the most used plants part with PPV=0.246 and decoction was the major preparation model of remedies (37.7%). Concerning treated diseases, chronic kidney disease has the highest ICF (0.93). Furthermore, 18 cases of side effects related to the use of medicinal species such as Aristolochia longa and Peganum harmala were recorded. Conclusion:In light of this work, the population recognizes the effectiveness of medicinal plants in the treatment of chronic diseases, but their use will have to go through extensive phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological research in order to clarify their effectiveness and innocuousness.

Ethnobotanical survey on plants used by traditional healers to fight against COVID-19 in Fez city, Northern Morocco

“…The predominance of men can be explained by the fact that in our society men work to provide favorable conditions for their families while most women care for their family and manage household affairs. Other ethnobotanical studies recently carried out on a national scale; Taza, Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region, Casablanca, Beni Mellal-Khenifra region, and Meknes city are concordant with our results (Bourhia et al 2019, El alami et al 2020, El Hachlafi et al 2020, Haouari et al 2018. Other international ethnopharmacological surveys carried out at Algeria, Palestine, and Saymour are also in agreement with our data (Boudjelal et al 2013, Buwa-Komoren et al 2019, Jaradat et al 2017.…”

“…The predominance of elderly herbalists is due to the heritage of the parents' profession. These data are similar to those obtained in the ethnobotanical survey carried out in Rabat-Sale-Kenitra Region and in Lwamondo, Limpopo province of South Africa (El Hachlafi et al 2020, Mahwasane et al 2013.…”

“…Moreover, the medicinal plants recorded in our work were compared to those reported in ethnobotanical surveys carried out in the same study area (Jouad et al 2001, Mikou et al 2016, Youbi et al 2016 as well as in other regions of Morocco (Chaachouay et al 2019, El Hachlafi et al 2020, Haouari et al 2018, Harouak et al 2018, Najem et al 2020, Strathern 2002.…”

“…Other ethnobotanical surveys carried out in Morocco (Meknes and Taza) documented that most herbalists had a secondary level followed by a primary level (Harouak et al 2018, Haouari et al 2018. Whereas, it was reported that the majority of herbalists in Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region and North Algeria were illiterate (Boudjelal et al 2013, El Hachlafi et al 2020.…”

“…Furthermore, the ethnobotanical survey carried out in Seksaoua region (Western High Moroccan Atlas) about plants used in the treatment of respiratory diseases recorded that Lamiaceae, Apiaceae, and Asteraceae were the most dominant families. Moreover, the study executed in Rabat-Kenitra-Sale region showed that the families Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, and Apiaceae were the most cited to treat chronic diseases (El Hachlafi et al 2020). 1).…”