Ethnobotanical and Ethnopharmacological Study Of

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ISSN: 2665-8488 JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL SCIENCES AND APPLIED BIOTECHNOLOGY 2021, Vol. 3, Issue 1 An International Open Access, Peer Reviewed Research Journal Pages: 7-14

Biotechnology DOI: 10.48402/IMIST.PRSM/jasab-v3i1.24115

Ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological study of medicinal plants used for the treatment of diseases of the digestive tract in the High Atlas Central of Morocco (North Africa)

Souad BELHAJ*, Lahcen ZIDANE

Natural Resources and Biodiversity Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Tofail University, BP 133 14000, Kenitra, Morocco

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Received December 18th,2020 This ethnopharmacological and ethnobotanical study was carried out between Received in revised form February 18th,2021 Accepted February 19th,2021 2015 and 2017 in the Central High Atlas of Morocco. The goal is to value herbal medicine used as remedies in traditional treatment of the digestive tract. This study identified 84 species. They are divided into 75 genera and 37 Botanical families Keywords: among which the most dominant are the Lamiaceae (14 species) and the Medicinal plants, Traditional Medicine, Asteraceae (5 species). Decoction (41.11%) is the most used method of Diseases of the digestive tract, preparation. Oral administration with 95% remains the main route of Ethnobotanical, administration of phytomedicines and drying the main method of preservation of Ethnopharmacological, drugs by the local population. These results reveal that medicinal plants play a High Atlas Central, Morocco. very important role in the traditional treatment of gastric diseases in this study area. They constitute a database for subsequent studies to experimentally assess the biological and chemical potentials of these plants.

1. Introduction: Diseases of the digestive system form a set of acute and chronic conditions that are very diverse in terms of Natural History. According to the WHO International Classification of diseases, diseases of the digestive system are classified into ten categories (diseases of the oral cavity, salivary glands and maxilla; diseases of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum; diseases of the appendix; hernias; enteritis and non-infectious colitis; other diseases of the intestine; diseases of the peritoneum; diseases of the liver; diseases of the gallbladder, bile ducts and pancreas and other diseases of the digestive tract) (who, 2016) [1]. In addition, some pathologies such as chronic atrophic gastritis, chronic stomach ulcer and adenomatous polyps have a significantly high risk of degenerating into gastric cancer [2]. This poses a diagnostic and therapeutic problem for surgeons who practice in countries with limited resources and contributes significantly to high morbidity and mortality [3]. This study focuses exclusively on the inventory of plants used to treat digestive tract diseases. In Africa, access to conventional medicines is reduced in rural areas and cultural practices still remain important (who, 2008). The use of traditional herbal practices and Pharmacopoeia is a very common practice in developing countries. Indeed, more than 80% of the African population use traditional medicine and Pharmacopoeia in primary health care [4]. This could be explained by the poverty of populations, the high cost of medicines, the lack of essential medicines for health care, the lack or lack of infrastructure and socio-health personnel in modern medicine, especially in rural areas [5]. However, more than 20,000 to 25,000 plants are used in the pharmacopoeia and more than 50% of the pharmaceutical products available on the market are of natural origin [1]. The High Atlas Central of Morocco, by its geographical location, these reliefs and its topography has promoted a rich diversity of Moroccan medicinal flora with a high rate of endemism. What constitutes a real plant genetic reservoir. On the contrary, data on medicinal plants in this region are scarce [6,7]. Moreover, no studies

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Journal of Analytical Sciences and Applied Biotechnology Belhaj & Zidane have proven the effectiveness of medicinal plants in the treatment of diseases of the digestive tract in this region. Given these findings, we assessed the importance of the local population's use of medicinal plants in the treatment of this disease.

2. Material and methods: 2.1. Presentation of the study area: Due to its geographical position and climate, the High Atlas Central of Morocco offers a tremendous ecological and floristic diversity. Also, traditional phytotherapeutic knowledge is well represented in this region. The study was conducted in the center of the atlas chain of Azilal North, Ouarzazate, and Tinghir South, in the High Atlas Central (Figure 1). The municipalities of Tannant, Wawla, Ait Tamlil, Aït Majden, Aït M'hamed, Zaouiat Ahansal, Tabant, Demnat, Aït abbas, Aït blal, Sidi-boulkhalef, Tifni, Tidli-Fetouaka, Ouzoud, Aït Bou Oulli, belonging to the city of Azilal, which is geographically located in the center of the Kingdom and belongs to the Beni Mellal-Khenifra economic region, which existed from the regional division of 2015 from the three former regions: Meknes-Tafilalet, Chaouia-Ouardigha and Tadla- Azilal [8]. It occupies an area of about 1 million hectares, all mountainous, except for a tiny part of the Tadla plain. The climate is generally Mediterranean. It characterizes by heavy rainfall during winter and spring and a very severe summer drought [9]. Administratively, the Beni Mellal-Khenifra region comprises five provinces: Azilal, Beni Mellal, Fquih Ben Salah, Khenifra and Khouribga, 135 communes including 16 municipalities and 119 rural Communes [10]. About 80% of the surface area of the Province is situated at an altitude of more than 1000 m and 60% above 1500 m [11]. Geologically, the area of the province extends over nearly one million hectares and covers a large part of the high limestone Atlas of the secondary age [12]. Its population is 2520776 inhabitants, of which 1282037 are rural populations according to the national census of the population 2014 [10]. The main plant formations in the area are as follows: The Holm oaks, which occupy an area of 205,000 Ha or 57.59% of total forest area of the province followed by Junipers with 18.15%. The south side of the High Atlas Central (Figure 1). In the southern slope, our work was carried out in the provinces of Tinghir, Ouarzazate belonging to the Draa-Tafilalet region, which was established like the 11 other regions of the Kingdom, by the Decree of February 20st 2015, and published in Official Bulletin n ° 6340 of March 05th 2015 [8], encompasses an extension of 88,836 km: - With a total area of 1,112,460 ha, the province of Ouarzazate edges to the northern by the province of Azilal and Marrakech, to the east by the province of Tinghir, to the south by the province of Tata and Zagora and to the west by the province of Taroudant. It belongs to the arid bioclimatic zone with a continental tendency; the soils of this zone are 75% clayey-silt soils. The province's special crops occupy small areas, but still provide substantial income to producers. This includes saffron, which occupies 85 hectares with an average annual production of 215 Kg [13]. - With a total area of 908,960 ha, Tinghir province exists to the northern by the province of Azilal, to the east by the province of Errachidia, to the south and west by the province of Ouarzazate. It includes two circles, namely Tinghir, and Boumalne, tree municipalities (Tinghir, Kelaa M'gouna and Boumalne Dadés) and 17 rural commons. It belongs to the arid bioclimatic stage with a continental tendency. The total population of Tinghir Province is 22,966,666, of which 168,084 or 73.19% are rural. The soils of the two sub-basins, Todgha and Dades-Mgoun, are in most cases alluvial, undeveloped, deep, silty-sandy and sandy. These soils are 75% iso humic. Special crops in the province are in particularly perfume roses, which have produced an average of 2743 tons over the past five years [13].

Figure 1. Map situation of the study area: High Atlas Central (Realized by Belhaj according to the administrative division of 2015, Arcgis).

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2.2. Methodology of study: The prospective study was conducted between 2015 and 2017. It consisted in carrying out an ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological survey among the inhabitants and medicinal plant sellers (herbalists and pharmacists) of the Central High Atlas of Morocco. This survey collected information on informants and plant species used in the treatment of diseases of the digestive tract. The approach of the populations was based on dialogue in Arabic dialect and Amazigh as appropriate and explained in simple terms and accessible to all. Interviews lasted about 30 minutes for each person. Most of the informants responded to the questionnaire without difficulty and with enthusiasm.

2.3. Identification of plants: After the collection of samples of each plant listed by the local population (sampling or purchase), the determination and identification of these species was carried out using documents concerning the vegetation and medicinal plants of Morocco, such as, medicinal plants of Morocco [14], the practical flora of Morocco [15]. Thus, by comparison with the herbarium samples available in the laboratory of plants, animal productions and agro-industry of the Faculty of Sciences of Kenitra, Morocco. The scientific names were supplemented with their vernacular names in local languages. A reference herbarium has been constituted and deposited at the Department of Biology of the University Ibn Tofail.

2.4. Data processing: Based on the sampled variables, in particular the profile of each respondent (age group, gender, marital status, level of education and monthly income), we were able to characterize the informants in our study area. For each plant, the data collected included the vernacular name, scientific name, organ used, method of preparation and mode of administration. The relative citation frequency or CRF of each plant was calculated as follows: RFC= F/C; where F is the number of people quoting the plant in question and C is the total number of people surveyed. The result is then expressed as a percentage [16].

3. Results and Discussion: The interviews clearly showed us that the use of plants in traditional medicine for the treatment of gastric diseases is frequent among the population of our study area. Indeed, among the 233 people interviewed, only 19.74% used modern medicine, while 80.25% used traditional medicine. This makes it possible to inventory 56 species of medicinal plants, belonging to 32 genera and a total of 35 botanical families.

3.1. Frequency of use of plants medicinal products according to the profile of the respondents: Analysis of the profiles of the people who participated in the survey showed that all age groups are present. People between 40 and 60 years of age present the most dominant percentage (47.59%), while the population under 20 years of age represents only 8.55% of the people who contributed to our study. The use of medicinal plants by the inhabitants of our study area by the inhabitants of our study area in first intention is strictly related to age. As age increases, so does the use of herbal medicine. This is largely due to the lack of interest of the younger generation in the ancestral know-how, which has been passed on for generations, mainly orally. This makes it a treasure that diminishes over time in a society where orality is still a modus vivendi vivace. Other ethnobotanical studies undertaken in various regions of Morocco have shown the same results [17,18]. Our interview also showed that most of the interviewers (72.19%) are illiterate. Only 15.51% have primary education and very few have secondary and university education (8.02% and 4.28% respectively). These results are consistent with the work of Mehdioui and Kahouadji (2007) and Benlamdini et al. (2014) [19,20]. In addition, 59.36% of the people surveyed are married versus 27.27% who are single. Next come divorced and widowed respondents with minor percentages of 3% and 6% respectively. The results of our surveys also showed that women (66.31%) are the major users of medicinal plants, mainly due to the responsibility they have been given in caring for themselves, their children and their husbands. This is consistent with other ethnobotanical studies carried out in regions of Morocco other than the High Atlas Central. The first in the Eastern High Atlas where women predominate the use of herbal medicine by 53% [20], the second in the prefecture of Agadir-Ida- Outanane where women represent 57.40% and men 42.60% [21] and the third in Eastern Morocco where women represent 71.30% and men 59.20% [22]. Thus, the data processing showed that in our study area the use of medicinal plants is very abundant among people who are not civil servants or do not have a monthly income (unemployed), this group represents the highest percentage with the 47.06%. Next, a percentage of 24.06% for respondents who have agriculture as their main activity, while the lowest percentage of 4.81% is for employees.

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Table 1. Study of the use of herbal medicines. Variables Catrgories Total Percentages (%) Gender Female 124 66.31 Male 63 33.69 <20 years 16 8.55 Age groups 20-40 years 48 25.67 40-60 years 89 47.59 >60 years 34 18.18 Married 111 59.36 Family situation Single 51 27.27 Divorced 14 7.49 Widower 11 5.88 Illiterate 135 72.19 Primary 29 15.51 Educational Secondary 15 8.02 University 8 4.28 Employees 9 4.81 Students 19 10.16 Occupational categories Farmers 45 24.06 Daily workers 26 13.9 Unemployed 88 47.06

3.2.Floristic analysis: This study identified 84 species of medicinal plants used by the population of the High Atlas Central of Morocco for the treatment of diseases of the digestive tract (Table 2). These species belong to a total of 75 genera and 37 Botanical families. The best represented families are Lamiaceae (14 species), Asteraceae (12 species), Apiaceae and Rosaceae (six species each) and Fabaceae (4 species) (Figure 2). The use of plants belonging to the family Lamiaceae is very common at the level of our study area and as well as at the national level. The importance of this family in Therapeutics has been repeatedly emphasized. It is the most widely used plant family in Mediterranean and Eastern Andalusian ethnobotany [23], and the most represented family in the different regions of Morocco: Haute Moulouya [20], Central [24] and southwestern Morocco [25]. The relative frequency index (FRC) allowed us to identify four species of high value plants among the 84 reported (Table 2). Carum carvi, Ammodaucus leucotrichus and Artemisia Herba alba are the best-known plants in the treatment of digestive diseases and would undoubtedly be among the most effective. These plants are much more indicated for the treatment of digestive diseases, they are of considerable local importance. These species should be retained for phyto- chemical, toxicological and pharmacological studies. The drug recipes used vary depending on the category of the disease, the relative importance of plant parts, the method of preparation and administration. In addition, the most used parts of plants cited by our respondents are leaves (35.63%), aerial parts (19.54%) and seeds (10.34%) (Figure 3). The frequent uses of leaves are justified by the abundance of chemical groups they contain, as well as by the ease and speed of harvesting [26]. Our results are in agreement with the work carried out at the level of the province of Tata [27], and at the level of the prefecture of Agadir-Ida-Outanane [25], where the foliage is the part of the plant most frequently used in the preparation of remedies by the respective percentages of 28% and 27%. It should be noted that different methods of preparation and administration are used for the treatment of digestive diseases. Decoction (41.11%) is the most common method of preparation (Figure 4). These results are consistent with the work of Idm'hand et al. (2019) and Zougagh et al. (2019) [17,28]. The oral (drinking) route with 81% remains the main route of administration of phytomedicines. Sun drying is the main method of plant conservation by the local population. It is also clear from this survey that knowledge of the properties and uses of medicinal plants is generally acquired as a result of the experience of others which in our case represents a percentage of 56.75%. This can be explained by the fact that the knowledge of traditional medicine is mostly transmitted from ascendants (wise) to descendants (young) to such an extent that both types of individuals have practically the same level of knowledge. A study conducted in the north central region of Morocco concerning the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of diabetes, heart and Kidney Diseases found that 59% of the population surveyed had their information on medicinal plants from the experience of their knowledge [29]. The relative importance of species by cause of disease treatment shows that eleven categories of gastric infections were identified according to respondents’ perceptions (Figure 5). From cause to cause, the number of species citations varies. On the other hand, the number of medicinal plants used for the treatment of ulcer and diarrhea is relatively higher than that of all the species used for the other categories.

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50 40 40 30 30 20 20 10 10 0 0

Figure 2. Percentage of species used. Figure 3. The used parts of plants cited.

Poultice 1,11 25,21 Friction 1,11 15,97 12,6 Cooked 3,33 11,76 10,92 6,72 6,72 5,88 4,2 Suppository 4,44 Mceration 4,44 Raw 5,55 Powder 8,89 Infusion 28,89 Decoction 41,11 0 10 20 30 40 50

Figure 4. Methods of preparation. Figure 5. The categories of gastric infections.

The gastro-protective effect of some of these listed plants has been the subject of several studies, including Trigonnella foenum graecum, which is widely used in our study, and whose effectiveness of their seeds has been demonstrated on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers. The cytoprotective effect of seeds appears to be due to anti-secretory action and its effects on mucosal glycoproteins [30]. The stimulating, antispasmodic, galactagogue and carminative properties of Pimpinella anisum has been demonstrated by several studies used [31,32]. While Pavela et al. have shown several pharmacological properties of Foeniculum vulgare as antispasmodic and galactagogue effect [33].

Table 2. Medicinal plants used for the treatment of diseases of the digestive tract in the High Atlas Central of Morocco. Arabic or amazigh Mode of Action Family Scientific name Part used FC RFC name preparation Phyto-therapeutics Antidiarrheal. Chenopodium Ambrosioides L. Mkhinza Aerial parts Maceration 22 11.76 Carminative. Amaranthaceae Antiulcer. Spinacia oleracea L. Sabanikh Aerial parts Cooked 39 20.85 Promotes digestion. Amaryllidaceae Allium cepa L. Lbassala/ Azalim Bulbs Cooked Antiulcer. 33 17.65

Allium sativum L. Touma/ Tishert Bulbs Suppository Heals hemorrhoids. 51 27.27

Pistacia lentiscus L. Drou Leaves Decoction Antiulcer. 43 22.99 Anacardiaceae Rhus pentaphylla (Jacq.) Desf. Tazart/ Azâd Fruits Decoction Antidiarrheal. 28 14.97 Ammi majus L. Tabllawt Leaves Decoction Carminative. 29 15.5 Ammodaucus leucotrichus Coss & Carminative. Kammûn sofi Fruits Infusion 76 40.64 Dur. Antiulcer. Carminative. Carum carvi L. Karwia Seeds Decoction 75 40.1 Antiulcer. Apiaceae Laxative. Carminative. Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Nafae Seeds Decoction 58 31.02 Against anorexia.

Carminative. Pimpinella anisum L. Habthlawa Seeds Infusion 61 32.62 Antiulcer. Ridolfia segetum Moris Tebche Seeds Decoction Reduces other gastric disorders. 18 9.62 Caralluma europaea (Guss.) Against anorexia. Apocynaceae Darmouss Leaves Juice Powder 14 7.49 N.E.Br. Promotes digestion. Antiulcer. Araliaceae Hedera helix L. Lwwaya Leaves Infusion 31 16.58

Arecaceae Chamaerops humilis L. Ddoum Fruits Raw Antiulcer. 53 28.34 11

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Reduces other gastric disorders. Achillea millefolium L. Khala Aerial parts Infusion 25 13.37 Against anorexia. Against other diseases of the Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) Link Whole plant Aerial parts Decoction 19 10.16 intestine. Antiulcer. Artemisia herba alba Asso. Chih /izri Roots Decoction Against other diseases of the 68 36.36 intestine. Against other diseases of the Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) Link Whole plant Aerial parts Decoction 19 10.16 intestine. Calendula Scariosus (Ball) oberpr Irzghi Leaves Raw Antiulcer. 11 5.88 and vogt Carminative. Centaurea maroccana Ball. Tafgha Roots Powder 25 13.37 Asteraceae Antiulcer. Carminative. Chrysanthemum coronarium L. Hmessou Flowers Decoction 15 8.02

Laxative. Cynara cardunculus L. Khorchof /taggua Leaves Decoction 24 12.83

Inula viscosa L. Terhla Roots Decoction Promotes digestion. 14 7.49 Launaea mucronata (Forssk.) Laxative. Intrim Aerial parts Decoction 18 9.62 Muschl. Antiulcer. Mantisalca salmantica (L.) Briq. Thazmourth Leaves Infusion Reduces other gastric disorders. 27 14.44 & Cavill. Lhaydwan Aerial parts Powder 16 8.56 Picris coronopifolia (Desf.) DC. Antiulcer.

Berbéridaceae Berberis hispanica Boiss & Reut Argîs/ izzirki Leaves Decoction Reduces other gastric disorders. 34 18.18 Antiulcer. Brassica oleracea L Mkwwar Leaves Juice 44 23.53 Brassicaceae Against anorexia. Aerial parts Antidiarrheal. Brassica nigra (L.) W.D.J.Koch Bu-hammou Infusion 37 19.79 Carminative. Raphanus sativus L. Lefjel Seeds Raw Antiulcer. 27 14.44 Leaves Powder Antiulcer. Capparaceae Capparis spinosa L. Lkabbar 38 20.32 Roots Decoction Antidiarrheal. Cistaceae Cistus creticus L. Irgle Leaves Decoction Reduces other gastric disorders. 29 15.5 Reduces other gastric disorders. Juniperus communis L. Elarâr - Amzi Leaves Infusion 41 21.92 Cupressaceae Against anorexia. Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Against other diseases of the Azougaâ -El arâar Leaves Decoction 37 19.79 Masters. intestine. Ericaceae Arbutus unedo L. Barnnou Barks Decoction Antidiarrheal. 52 77.8 Antiulcer. Ceratonia siliqua L. Lkharoub Fruits Leaves Powder Infusion Carminative. 61 32.62 Fabaceae Laxative. Antiulcer. Cicer arietinum L. Lhomms Seeds Powder 48 25.67 Promotes digestion. Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Aarq ssuss Roots Decoction Antiulcer. 39 20.85 Antiulcer. Trigonella foenum graecum L. Halba Seeds Powder Antidiarrheal. 65 34.76 Against anorexia. Powder Antidiarrheal. Fagaceae Quercus rotundifolia Lam. Abouhou; kerrouch Barks 37 19.79 Friction Heals hemorrhoids. Reduces other gastric disorders. Fumariaceae Fumaria officinalis L. Lwarda d’lard Roots Decoction 12 6.42 Laxative. Gentianaceae Centaurium spicatum (L.) Fritsch Gosset Elhayya Aerial parts Decoction Reduces other gastric disorders. 34 18.18 Iridaceae Crocus sativus L. Zaʿfarān Stigmas Infusion Promotes digestion. 58 31.02 Ajuga iva (L.) Schreb. Chandgoura; Timarna Aerial parts Maceration I Antidiarrheal. 41 21.92 Decoction Ballota hirsuta Benth. Merrouwt Stems Reduces other gastric disorders. 21 11.23 Infusion Against other diseases of the Calamintha officinalis Moench Manta Aerial parts Infusion 27 14.44 intestine. Lamiaceae Lamium amplexicaule L. Merrouwt tabldite Leaves Decoction Antidiarrheal. 51 27.27 Lavandula maroccana Murb. Iguiz Flowers Infusion Promotes digestion. 18 9.62 Promotes digestion. Marrubium vulgare L. Marouyt Aerial parts Infusion 48 25.67 Carminative. Ocimum basilicum L. Lhbaq Aerial parts Infusion Antidiarrheal. 13 6.95 Antiulcer. Origanum compactum Benth Zaater Leaves Infusion 23 12.3 Carminative. Promotes digestion. Rosmarinus officinalis L. Azir Leaves Decoction 59 31.55 Carminative. Salvia officinalis L. Salmiya Aerial parts Infusion Carminative. 11 5.88 Antidiarrheal. Teucrium polium L. Jiida Aerial parts Decoction 57 30.48 Promotes digestion. Thymus maroccanus Ball. Azukni Leaves Maceration Antiulcer. 43 22.99 Antiulcer. Thymus satureioides Coss. & Ball. Azukni Leaves Decoction 39 20.85 Carminative. Thymus vulgaris L. Zaitra Aerial parts Infusion Antiulcer. 41 21.92

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Against other diseases of the Lauraceae Laurus nobilis L. Ourak moussa Leaves Infusion intestine. 21 11.23

Antidiarrheal. Punica granatum L. Rommane Fruit barks Decoction 54 28.88 Lythraceae Promotes digestion. Decoction Antiulcer. Malvaceae Althaea Officinalis L. Khatmiya Roots 15 8.02 Infusion Antidiarrheal. Malva parviflora L. Amzgra Aerial parts Cooked Laxative. 28 14.97 Against other diseases of the Myrtaceae Jasminum fruticans L. Yasmin Flowers Infusion 35 18.72 intestine. Papaveraceae Papaver rhoeas L. Belnaaman Seeds Decoction Reduces other gastric disorders. 37 19.79 Plantaginaceae Globularia alypum L. Taslgha Flower Infusion Antiulcer. 22 11.76 Avena sterilis L. Askoune Fruits Raw Reduces other gastric disorders. 15 8.02 Poaceae Promotes digestion. Panicum miliaceum L. Tafsout Seeds Decoction 28 14.97

Antidiarrheal. Delphinium pentagynum Lam Habbet râs Leaves Decoction 32 17.11 Ranunculaceae Promotes digestion. Nigella sativa L. Sanouje Seeds Powder 69 36.89

Mrniss, Wdan Reduces other gastric disorders. Ranunculus bullatus L. Leaves Infusion 27 14.44 Alhalouf Resedaceae Reseda alba L. Tabaddit Leaves Infusion Antidiarrheal. 19 10.16 Antiulcer. Decoction Rhamnaceae Ziziphus lotus (L.) Lam. Ssedra, Azgour Leaves Fruits Antidiarrheal. 66 35.29 Powder Against anorexia. Cydonia oblonga Mill. Sferjel Leaves Friction Heals hemorrhoids. 31 16.58 Antidiarrheal. Prunus armeniaca L. lmchmach Fruits Powders 22 11.76 Antiulcer. Prunus domestica L. Lbrkouk Leaves Decoction Laxative. 15 8.02 Rosaceae Rosa canina L. Nisrîn Leaves Infusion Antidiarrheal. 23 12.3 Rosa centifolia Mill El ward Flowers Decoction Reduces other gastric disorders. 33 17.65 Carminative. Sanguisorba minor Scop. Faggouss laklab Aerial parts Infusion 19 10.16 Reduces other gastric disorders. Promotes digestion. Rutaceae Ruta graveolens L. L-Fijel Roots Decoction 33 17.65

Solanaceae Solanum nigrum L. Adil n’Ouchn Leaves Decoction Antiulcer. 11 5.88 Heals hemorrhoids. Urticaceae Parietaria mauritanica Durieu Herrast lehjar Leaves Poultice 47 25.13 Antiulcer. Against other diseases of the Aloysia citriodora Palau. Lwizza Leaves Infusion 32 17.11 Verbenaceae. intestine. Vitaceae Vitis vinifera L. Laanab Leaves Poultice Heals hemorrhoids. 17 9.09 Reduces other gastric disorders. Alpinia officinarum (L.) Willd. khoulandjan Roots Powder 41 21.92 Zingiberaceae Against anorexia.

4. Conclusion: This is the first study of its kind carried out in the High Atlas Central of Morocco with regard to cure diseases of the digestive tract. This study has revealed the very frequent use of medicinal plants in this region against this disease, and consequently, the very broad therapeutic knowledge available to the inhabitants regarding popular medical practices, especially the older generations who have developed a wide know-how over time. This ancestral knowledge needs to be documented in order to avoid its disappearance, because oral tradition is still a modus vivendi vivace in our society. Nevertheless, several of the plants listed have not been scientifically investigated in the laboratory to justify their gastro- protective activities. These plants could constitute interesting subjects of research aiming at experimentally evaluating their biological and chemical potentialities and consequently at safeguarding this local popular know-how.

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Journal of Analytical Sciences and Applied Biotechnology Belhaj & Zidane

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