Vegetos (2021) 34:654–662 https://doi.org/10.1007/s42535-021-00229-7

RESEARCH ARTICLES

Ethnobotanical and ethnomedicinal analysis of wild medicinal traditionally used in Naâma, southwest

Miloud Bouafa1,2,6 · Fouzia Amamou3 · Mohamed Gherib2 · Mohammed Benaissa4 · Rachid Azzi1 · Saïd Nemmiche5

Received: 10 February 2021 / Revised: 13 May 2021 / Accepted: 18 May 2021 / Published online: 11 June 2021 © Society for Research 2021

Abstract Algerian people largely rely on traditional medicine practices as part of a community’s identity. This frst ethnobotanical study aimed to quantify and document the wild medicinal plant taxa from four family and the related traditional knowledge in Naâma province, Algeria. The survey was carried out between 2018 and 2020. The socio-demographic data and the use of medicinal were recorded and collected randomly from 84 indigenous people using pre-prepared questionnaire. The result was evaluated using quantitative indices. A total of 27 medicinal plant species belonging to 21 genera used in the community were mostly recorded. The most represented families were and Asteraceae (12 species for each of them). The aerial parts were the most frequently used plant part (73 %), while a decoction (34 %), and infusion (31 %) were the major modes of remedy preparation. The species with high UV were Rosmarinus ofcinalis L. (0.80), Artemisia herba-alba Asso (0.76), and Juniperus phoenicea L. subsp. phoenicea (0.75). Species with highest FL were: Ephedra alata subsp. alenda (Stapf) Trab (100 %), Teucrium polium L. (60 %), and hirsuta Benth (57.14.5 %). Atractylis caespitosa Desf and nepetella subsp.amethystina (Poir.) Briq were newly cited as medicinal plants and have not been recorded previously in Algeria. Artemisia herba-alba Asso and Thymus algeriensis Boiss. & Reut were reported to treat COVID-19 symptoms. The results obtained indicate the richness of the area with medicinal plants as well as knowledge of alternative medicine. The most cited plants could be contained molecules that can be tested for therapeutic uses.

Keywords Medicinal plants · Traditional medicine · Ethnobotanical · Naâma

* Miloud Bouafa 2 Laboratory of Sustainable Management of Natural Resources [email protected] in Arid and Semi‑Arid Zones, University Center of Naâma, BP 66, 45000 Naâma, Algeria Fouzia Amamou [email protected] 3 Laboratory of Natural Products, Faculty of SNV‑STU, LAPRONA, University of Tlemcen, BP 119, Imama, Mohamed Gherib 13000 Tlemcen, Algeria [email protected] 4 Laboratory of Ecology and Management of Natural Mohammed Benaissa Ecosystems, Faculty of SNV‑STU, University of Tlemcen, [email protected] BP 119, Imama, 13000 Tlemcen, Algeria Rachid Azzi 5 Department of biology, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, [email protected] University of Mostaganem, Mostaganem, Algeria Saïd Nemmiche 6 Present Address: Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural [email protected] Sciences and Life Sciences of the Earth and the Universe, University of Abou Bekr Belkaid, BP 119, Tlemcen, Algeria 1 Laboratory of Antifungal, Antibiotic, Physico‑chemical, Synthesis and Biological Activity, Faculty of SNV‑STU, University of Tlemcen, BP 119, Imama, 13000 Tlemcen, Algeria

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Introduction knowledge. In this framework, there is an urgent need for studying, recording, and sharing this heritage using In Algeria, traditional medicine practices are linked to the an ethnobotanical approach survey to protect it. (Tuttolo- history of Arab-Muslim medicine in the Maghreb (North mondo et al. 2014; Bouasla and Bouasla 2017; Eddouks Africa). These practices are a model of transmission of et al. 2017). Arab-Muslim medicine. Some therapeutic uses are trans- This study aimed to document the ethnobotanical knowl- mitted directly from religious texts and are still relevant as edge focusing on ethnomedicine in Naâma province, a stra- hijâma (Cupping therapy), Ruqyah (Reciting Quran), and tegic region of southwest Algeria, bordered by . We phytotherapy (Saad and Said 2010). inventoried, for the frst time, all medicinal plants taxa from Phytotherapy is known since antiquity as the most eas- Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, , and Ephedraceae ily accessible resource and the basis of health care; has using as medicine. The traditional therapeutics were docu- evolved across the ages to become an important knowledge menting and analyzing using quantitative indices. Data were of drug discovery. However, no ofcial strategic plan (reg- compared to historical literature carried out in Algeria and ulatory or legislative) has been developed in the country the . for the integration of traditional medicine into the health care system. The Algerian Public Health Code of 23 Octo- ber 1976 (158) rendered the practice of medicine without Materials and methods a license an ofense; apart from Sec. 364 on the practice of herbalists, no exceptions were made for the practice of Survey area traditional medicine (WHO 2001). On other hand, the pro- duction and marketing of herbal drugs are permissible to Naâma province is located in the southwest of Algeria (N a small extent. More than twenty herbal drug products are 33°26′, W 0°54′) (Fig. 1). It is part of the Western High- commercialized in the pharmaceutical market of Algeria lands, covers an area of 29.514 Km². It has an estimated pop- (Bouzabata 2017). Due to the geographical position in the ulation of 192.891 with an average density of about 6.5 Hab/ 2 south Mediterranean basin, Algeria with its spacious area Km . The area is characterized by an ecological diversity is characterized by several climatic regions and diversifed represented by three principal regions: steppe, mountain, vegetation; more than 3139 species of wild and naturalized and pre-Saharan with 74 %, 12 %, and 14 % of the total area plants growing in the country become part of a communi- respectively. The climatic year is divided into two main sea- ty’s identity. Algerian people used part of these species for sons: cold and relatively rainy from November to April, hot diferent purposes, which are refected in the widespread and dry from May to October. The rainfall remains weak and use of medicinal plants by herbalists, healers, and people irregular in comparison to the north bordering provinces; to treat several diseases (Miara et al. 2018). Nevertheless, the temperature ranging from 8 °C in December/January to many geographical regions and ethnic communities in this 31.5 °C in July/August (www.​andi.​dz/​PDF/​monog​raphi​es/​ country like the province of Naâma (South-West of Alge- NAAMA.​pdf). ria) have still not been explored. It has a reserve of medici- nal species, a background of practice in traditional medi- Data collection cine for humans. Unfortunately, the indigenous knowledge of plants in Naâma and other provinces is inherited and This survey has been done between 2018 and 2020. A transmitted orally from one generation to the next which total of 84 people were face to face interviews, all people makes them vulnerable to loss; Besides, the new genera- interviewed had been informed about the objective of this tion is not interested to archive it from the older generation study. A semi-structured questionnaire interview was used (Bouasla and Bouasla 2017). to record socio-demographic data (gender, age, educational Ethnobotany carrying great importance for several level) and the use of medicinal species (vernacular names, felds and the most ethnobotany’s contributions and chal- illnesses treated, part used, method of preparation). The lenges are to close the gap between researcher and indig- plant name has been checked with database enous knowledge, to understanding how humans perceive (http://www.​ thepl​ antli​ st.​ org​ ) and the African plant database their standing within nature, to boost methodological (http://​www.​ville-​ge.​ch/​musin​fo/​bd/​cjb/​africa/​reche​rche.​ methods to explore plants from diverse disciplines, and to php). Voucher specimens were confrmed by experiment- promote inter-generational continuity (Rodríguez-Calde- ing botanists and stored in the herbarium of the laboratory rón et al. 2019). Many ethnobotanical studies were under- of antifungal, antibiotic, Physico-chemical, synthesis, and taken in the Mediterranean region, especially in Algeria biological activity, Abou Bekr Belkaid University, Tlemcen, have warned against losing some traditional medicinal Algeria.

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Fig. 1 Location map of study area

Data analysis can show that the utilization of plant for specifc therapeutic purposes is preferred if respondents cited it frequently. FL Family use value (FUV) was calculated using the following formula: FL= (Np/N)× 100; where Np: is the number of respondents that recom- The FUV was calculated using this formula: FUV = ΣUVs/ mended the use of the plant for a specifc disease, and N is ns; where ΣUVs is the sum of use value of the species within the number of respondents that suggested the plant for vari- a family and ns is the total number of species within the ous illnesses (Phillips 1996). same family. The FUV is calculated to identify the impor- tance of plant families (Eddouks et al. 2017).

Use value (UV) Results and discussion

The particular use of UV is to determine the relative sig- Informants’ sociodemographic profle nifcance of the local species. It was used to defne the most cited plant species to treat a disease category. UV was calcu- In this study 84 people were questioned (Table 1), women lated using this formula: UV = ΣUi/N; where Ui: number of are more interested in traditional medicine (57.14 %) com- uses reports per species, and N: total number of informants pared with men. This predominance of women can be (Trotter and Logan 1986). explained by their responsibility towards the family in car- ing for the health of family members, particularly children Fidelity level (FL) (Miara et al. 2018). The age range over 60 years is the most frequency range (25 %). Older people have more knowl- The FL value is calculated to estimate the importance of edge and experience than the younger due to the inherent the species for a given purpose. A higher fdelity level (FL) belief that phytotherapy is efective and safe. The younger

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Table 1 Use of medicinal plants according to socio-demographic fac- Frequency of families and their use value tors Total Percentage Altogether, 27 plant species and 21 genera belonging to plant families Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Cupressaceae, and Gender Ephedraceae used against several diseases in the community Male 36 42.85 are recorded (Table 2). The most represented families were Female 48 57.14 Lamiaceae and Asteraceae (12 species for each of them), Marital status followed by Cupressaceae (2 species), and Ephedraceae (1 Single 11 13.1 species). On the contrary, Ephedraceae (0.56)‏ had a high Married 73 86.9 FUV, followed by Cupressaceae (0.45), Asteraceae (0.36), Age groups and Lamiaceae (0.35) (Table 2). Our result indicates that < 20 5 6 the families which have high FUVs are not necessarily rep- 20–29 9 11 resented by a large number of species in the study area. It 30–39 14 17 confrmed that the use-value of families relies on the pref- 40–49 16 19 erence of the local population to use some plants’ families 50–59 19 23 more than others.. > 60 21 25 Educational level Medicinal plants used Illiterate 34 40.48 Primary 17 20.24 Species with high used values (UV) were Rosmarinus ofci- Lyceum 21 25 nalis L. (0.80), Artemisia herba-alba Asso (0.76), Juni- University 12 14.29 perus phoenicea L. subsp. phoenicea (0.75). This means that these species are the most important medicinal plants used in folk medicine by the population of Naâma to treat generation consuming wild species plants as remedies is ailments, which might be due to their vast distribution in on the way of extinction due to their interest in modern the area study. medicine. In our research area, the use of R. ofcinalis L. was recorded especially to treat respiratory system problems such Part used as cough, infuenza, cold; it is also used for rheumatism, muscle spasm, cholelithiasis, cholagogue, and fever. In the traditional pharmacopeia of Algeria, the same species was The aerial parts (73 %) were more used than the other parts, recorded as an anti-diabetic, antitumoral, antihypertension, followed by roots (18 %), and (9 %). Boudjelal et al. and for treating hepatic diseases (Boudjelal et al. 2013). The (2013) have also registered that the aerial parts are the most most efective bio-active secondary metabolites of R. ofci- used in M’Sila, while other studies reported leaves as the nalis L. were phenolic acids, diterpenes, and triterpenes predominant plant part used in surveyed regions of Alge- phenolic. Among the isolated phenolic compounds, car- ria (Benarba et al. 2015; Bouasla and Bouasla 2017; Miara nosic acid, carnosol acid, ursolic acid, and rosmarinic acid et al. 2018). It is well known that bioactive principles are have been recorded to have major pharmacological efects contained in the plant’s organs with diferent concentrations. (Tomi et al. 2016). These compounds except rosmarinic People in Naâma employ the aerial part based on their tradi- acid increased hPXR (human Pregnane X receptor) target tional heritage which can explain the most uses of this part gene expression, transactivated the ligand-binding domain by the local population. of hPXR and recruited steroid receptor coactivator (SRC)-1, SRC-2, and SRC-3 to the ligand-binding domain of hPXR. Method of preparation The hPXR plays important role in the control of many gene expression linked to infammatory processes (Seow and Lau The local population uses diferent forms of preparation. The 2017). decoction (34 %) is the most common traditional method The most important therapeutic uses of Artemisia herba- described to extract active compounds followed by infu- alba Asso were those of gastric disorders, liver problems, sion (31 %), powdering (20 %), maceration (12 %), and wormer, muscle spasm, cardiac problems, and hypertension. cataplasme (3 %). According to Meriem and Hayet (2019), In Algeria, it is reported to treat digestive system problems decoction is the method of choice when working with tough (Boudjelal et al. 2013; Miara et al. 2018, 2019a), diabetes and fbrous plants, barks, and roots and with plants that have (Bouasla and Bouasla 2017), cancer, and respiratory system water-soluble chemicals. diseases (Ouelbani et al. 2016). The properties of this plant

1 3 658 Vegetos (2021) 34:654–662 ; Kharchoufa et al. 2018 ) et al. 2016 ; Kharchoufa Ouelbani et al. 2013 ) ; Miara et al. 2019b ) et al. 2019 ; Miara Hamza et al. ; Hamza et al. 2019 ) 2016 ; Hamza et al. et al. Benarba et al. 2015 ; Benarba 2016 ) Benarba et al. ; Miara et al. 2018 , 2019a ) et al. and Bouasla 2017 ; Miara (Fakchich and Elachouri 2021 ) (Fakchich ; Boudjelal et al. 2013 ; 2002 ; Boudjelal et al. (Eddouks et al. No data No ; Keffa et al. 2018 ) et al. 2012 ; Keffa (Abouri et al. ; Miara et al. 2013 ) et al. and Maiza 2006 ; Miara (Hammiche (Tuttolomondo et al. 2014 ) et al. (Tuttolomondo (Hammiche and Maiza 2006 ) (Hammiche ; Boudjelal et al. and Maiza 2006 ; Boudjelal et al. (Hammiche References representing similar uses representing References 2018 ; et al. and Maiza 2006 ; Keffa (Hammiche No data No ; Miara et al. 2019a ) et al. 2013 ; Miara (Boudjelal et al. No data No 2018 ) et al. 2012 ; Kharchoufa (Abouri et al. ; Miara et al. 2019a ) et al. 2016 ; Miara (Ouelbani et al. ; Abouri et al. 2012 ) 2003 ; Abouri et al. (Ould el-Hadj et al. (Miara et al. 2013 ; Benarba 2016 Ouelbani et al. (Miara ; Miara et al. 2013 , 2019a ; et al. 2013 ; Miara (Boudjelal et al. (Miara et al. 2019c ) et al. (Miara (Boudjelal et al. 2013 ; Benarba 2016 Bouasla (Boudjelal et al. 0.15 0.76 0.61 0.73 0.13 0.29 0.23 0.69 0.29 0.14 0.25 0.13 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.33 0.33 0.56 0.75 UV %), low back pain, back %), low %), ulcer, wound %), ulcer, %), headache, rheumatism %), headache, %), goiter muscle spasm, hypertension, COVID-19 tism, tranquilizer eczema tonsillitis brucellosis, diabetes respiratory asthma complications, snakebite and scorpionsnakebite menstrual stings, problems cycle infertility, menstrual cycle problems, cough, menstrual problems, cycle infertility, toothache worms infammation, food poisonings infammation, food Gastric disorders, liver problems, wormer, wormer, problems, Gastric liver disorders, Intestinal worms, diarrhea, worms, Intestinal anorexia diabetes, - rheuma obesity, constipation, Hepatitis, gas, Asthma, allergy, infammation, hypertension, Asthma, allergy, Digestive disorders, incomplete abortion incomplete disorders, Digestive Recommended uses (FL%) Recommended Menstrual cycle problems, cough, otitis, cough, otitis, Menstrual problems, cycle Toothache, gingivitis, depurative, gas gingivitis, depurative, Toothache, Menstrual cycle problems, hypertension, Menstrual problems, cycle Eye irritations,Eye allergy gastric pain, diabetes, Antidiuretic, bladder disorders, cyst bladder disorders, Antidiuretic, Gastric pain (56.25 Migraine (57.14 Brucellosis, rheumatism problems, cardiac Ulcer, kidney problems, bladder disorders, bladder disorders, problems, kidney Ulcer, kidney problems, bladder disorders, diuretic, diuretic, bladder disorders, problems, kidney Rheumatism (53.33 Hypertension, diabetes, goiter, intestinal intestinal Hypertension, goiter, diabetes, Cancer (100 Ulcer, diarrhea, gas, eczema, wound, burns, diarrhea, eczema, wound, gas, Ulcer, Mac ٫ Inf, Dec Inf Mac ٫ Inf, Dec Dec, Mac, Pdr Inf, Dec Method of use Method Mac, Pdr Dec ٫ Inf Inf, Dec, Pdr Mac, Pdr Dec ٫ Inf Mac, Pdr Cat Dec, Pdr ٫ Inf Inf, Dec, Mac Inf, Dec, Pdr Inf, Dec, Cat Inf, Dec Dec Dec, Pdr ٫ Inf Chih (Ap) Chouihiya (Ap, R) Chouihiya Kanouda (Ap,R) Gartoufa (Ap) Gartoufa Tassekra (R) Tassekra Local name (Part used) Ouazouaza (Ap) Chehiba (Ap, R) Allel (Ap) Nogd (Ap) Nogd Arfej (L) Arfej Jaàda (Ap) Meroukt (Ap) Meroukt Kebbar miise (L, R) Kebbar Taga (Ap) Taga Garne (Ap) el kabche Merioua (Ap, R) Chendgoura (Ap) Chendgoura Alenda (Ap) Araàr (L) Araàr List of wild medicinal plants and their uses List traditional SAP-13) SAP-7) Durieu) Anderb. (LABSAP-6) (LABSAP-14) SAP-16) (LABSAP-34) SAP-46) (LABSAP-37) Trab. (LABSAP-35) Artemisia herba-alba Asso. (LABSAP-9) Atractylis caespitosa Desf. (LABSAP-11) caespitosa Atractylis (LABSAP-70) ( Delile ) Vis. cinerea Brocchia Echinops bovei Boiss. (LABSAP-12) bovei Echinops - (LAB pubescens ( Desf. ) Pomel. Otoglyphis - ) L. (LAB ( Vaill. Artemisia arborescens ( Coss. & subsp. radiata garcinii Anvillea Artemisia campestris L. (LABSAP-8) Rhanterium adpressum Coss. & Durieu. adpressum Rhanterium Santolina rosmarinifolia L. (LABSAP-15) rosmarinifolia Santolina - & Coss. (LAB Benth. saharae Warionia (LABSAP-45) Benth. hirsuta Ballota . L. subsp. oxycedrus Juniperus oxycedrus - (LAB desertiPomel. (de Noé) Maropsis ) subsp. alenda ( Stapf alata Ephedra Juniperus phoenicea L. subsp. phoenicea. Marrubium vulgare L. (LABSAP-47) Marrubium vulgare (LABSAP-44) (L.) Schreb. iva Ajuga Artemisia atlantica Coss. (LABSAP-10) 2 Table specimen no) / Species (Voucher References Asteraceae (0.36) Asteraceae Cupressaceae (0.45) Cupressaceae Ephedraceae (0.56) Ephedraceae Lamiaceae (0.35)

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may be due to its chemical compounds as monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids (largely in essential oils), favonoids, and phenolic compounds (Khlif et al. 2013; Mohamed et al. 2019) Several studies studied the antispasmodic activity of the extracted from the plant’s aerial parts. It was found that the administration of this oil relaxed the spon- taneous tonus of the rabbit jejunum and reversed the tonic contraction of rat jejunum induced by carbachol (Aziz et al. 2012). Another published study has found that the aqueous extract of this plant has increased the time of gastrointesti- nal transit in alloxan-treated rabbits and mice (Marrif et al. 1995), and improves insulin sensitivity and hepatic steato- ; Miara et al. 2019a ) et al. 2018 ; Miara et al. Kharchoufa ; Kharchoufa et al. 2018 ) et al. 2017 ; Kharchoufa Eddouks et al. ; Kharchoufa et al. 2018 ) et al. 2017 ; Kharchoufa Mostafa 2014 ) Mostafa sis in rodents-induced metabolic syndrome (Réggami et al. No data No ; Hamza et al. 2019 ) 2015 ; Hamza et al. (Benarba et al. (Benarba 2016 ; Bouasla and 2017 No data No (Benarba 2016 ; Bouasla and 2017 ; Eddouks et al. (Bouasla and Bouasla 2017 ; Eddouks et al. ; Miara et al. 2013 , 2018 ) et al. 2013 ; Miara (Boudjelal et al. References representing similar uses representing References (Lahsissene and Kahouadji 2010 ; Jamila and 2019). The same extract at a dose of 150 mg/kg for 20 days 0.68 0.57 0.17 0.33 0.80 0.15 0.46 0.17 UV signifcantly reduced the systolic blood pressure in sponta- neously hypertensive rats (Zeggwagh et al. 2008). Recently, the use of Artemisia herba-alba Asso extract to treat the symptom of COVID-19 is under-discussed. Our informants found the efective use of the plant combined with Thymus algeriensis Boiss.& Reut against COVID-19 in the early stage. It is necessary to emphasize that no pub-

%), hypertension, lished data based on clinical experience are supporting the use of these plants, and their efectiveness against corona- virus is unknown. the benefcial efects of Artemisia herba- alba Asso are probably due to its favonoids as Artemisinin %), digestive disorders, diuretic, diuretic, disorders, %), digestive and others. The safe toxicity profle of artemisinin and its immunomodulatory properties on infammatory diseases menstrual cycle problems, COVID-19 menstrual problems, cycle gastritis, hyperglycemia diabetes diaphoretic, muscle spasm diaphoretic, spasm, cholelithiasis, cholagogue, fever cholagogue, spasm, cholelithiasis, and viral infection encourage trying it against COVID-19. Cold, hypercholesterolemia, infammation, Cold, hypercholesterolemia, Hypertension, diabetes, problems, cardiac Digestive disorders (60 disorders Digestive Gas (52.94 Cough, infuenza, cold, rheumatism, muscle Cough, infuenza, cold, rheumatism, Gastric cough, hypertension pain, diabetes, Recommended uses (FL%) Recommended Cough, cold, infuenza, infammation, diabetes Gas, diarrhea, allergy, bronchitis, fever bronchitis, Gas, diarrhea, allergy, Artemisinin, an efective anti-malarial drug, reduces tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 which are key mediators of acute respiratory distress syndrome (Cheong et al. 2020). In vitro, artemisinin-based combination ther- R root Ap aerial part, L leaves, Inf, Dec, Pdr Dec Pdr ٫ Inf Dec, Mac, Pdr Dec ٫ Inf Inf, Dec, Pdr Inf, Dec Method of use Method Inf, Dec Inf, Dec, Pdr apy exerted antiviral activity against clinically isolated SARS-CoV-2 strain (IHUMI-3) in Vero E6 cells; among these, Mefoquine-artesunate showed the best inhibition with 72.1 ± 18.3 % (Gendrot et al. 2020). A clinical study in China showed that a Hemi-synthetic derivative of arte- misinin (artesunate) was accompanied by a shorter duration of COVID-19 symptoms than a standard of care (Cheong Zaàtar (Ap) Azir ermal (Ap) Jaàda (Ap) Napta (Ap) Napta Azir eljabel (Ap) Flîyo (Ap) Flîyo Local name (Part used) Djertil (Ap, R) Timersît (Ap) Timersît et al. 2020; Li et al. 2021) found that the treatment with artemisinin-piperaquine could signifcantly shorten the time to reach undetectable SARS-CoV-2.. Our survey indicated that Juniperus phoenicea L. phoenicea

powder, cataplasm, Pwd powder, Mac maceration, subsp. is used especially to treat ulcer, diarrhea,

gas, eczema, wound, burns, infammation, and food poison- ings. Previous surveys in Algeria have shown that this plant is widely used to treat ulcers, intoxication, infammation, and digestive disorders (Boudjelal et al. 2013; Bouasla and Boua- sla 2017; Miara et al. 2018). Various studies have shown that Amentofavone isolated from Juniperus phoenicea L exhibit (continued) a wide range of pharmacological functions (Yu et al. 2017). SAP-54) (LABSAP-52) Briq. (LABSAP-50) (LABSAP-55) & Burdet. Greuter Administration of amentofavone in Wistar rats induced ulcer- - (LAB Boiss. & Reut. algeriensis Thymus Saccocalyx satureioides Coss. & Durieu. satureioides Saccocalyx amethystina (Poir.) (Poir.) subsp. amethystina nepetella Nepeta subsp. ciliatus (Desf.) munbyanus Thymus Teucrium polium L. (LABSAP-53) Teucrium Rosmarinus ofcinalis L. (LABSAP-51) Rosmarinus Mentha pulegium L. (LABSAP-49) Mentha Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. (LABSAP-48) Ehrh. suaveolens Mentha 2 Table References / Species (Voucher specimen no) / Species (Voucher References Inf infusion, Dec decoction, cat ative colitis reduces the extent of the infammatory colonic

1 3 660 Vegetos (2021) 34:654–662 injury by decreased mucosal injury score, vascular permeabil- plants. Among the 21 works of literature; 13 can give full data ity, and diminished myeloperoxidase and lactate dehydroge- of national surveys or herbal practices in Algeria, the other nase activity. Furthermore, amentofavone inhibits colitis by literature can give the most cited data of ethnobotanical stud- increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and decreased ies or herbal practices in surrounding areas such as Morocco lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide. The treatment with this and . The number of medicinal plants listed in diferent bifavonoid compound reduces the colonic TNF-α, IL-1β, and ranged from 37 to 141 species. 141 spe- IL-6 levels as well as the expression of inducible nitric oxide cies were recorded in (Benarba et al.2015), synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. Also, this compound inhib- 118 medicinal herbs were recorded in the Tuareg community its the activation and translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB in the region of Illizi (Miara et al. 2019c), and 102 medicinal subunits (p65/p50) (Sakthivel and Guruvayoorappan 2013; Yu plants were recorded in the two provinces of Constantine and et al. 2017). Mila (Ouelbani et al. 2016). While the 37 medicinal plants Our respondents have reported that Brocchia cinerea were recorded in province (Ould el-Hadj et al. 2003). (Delile) Vis could be utilized in the treatment of asthma, Our results inventoried 27 medicinal plants belonged to the allergy, infammation, hypertension, and eczema. However, four botanical families in Naâma. Two species were newly the same species was used by the local population and heal- cited as medicinal plants in our study, and their therapeutic use ers in Algeria to treat pharyngitis, cold, stomach ache, kidney is not cited in the 21 literature above. The plants were Atrac- diseases, systemic healing, and migraine (Benarba et al. 2015; tylis caespitosa Desf and‏ ‏ Nepeta‏ nepetella subsp.amethystina Benarba 2016). Recent studies revealed that this plant exhib- (Poir.) Briq. In Algeria, only one study‏ has investigated the its various biological activities such as analgesic, cytotoxic, antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of essential and efect on diabetes. These are related to the presence of oil and‏ hydrosol extract of Nepeta‏ nepetella subsp. amethystina chemical substances such as favonoids, terpenes, and essen- (Poir.) Briq (Bellahsene et al. 2015). These results can contrib- tial oils which are predominated by thujone, eucalyptol, and ute to new research for further biological and pharmacological santolinatriene (Amssayef and Eddouks 2020; Guaouguaou studies..‏‏ et al. 2020). It have been reported that a single and repeated Some new therapeutic uses that did not mention to those in oral administration of Brocchia cinerea (Delile) Vis aqueous the previous studies are recorded in our study. Species used to extract at the dose of 20 mg/kg for 15 days, reduced signif- treat brucellosis such as Artemisia‏ campestris L.; species used cantly blood glucose and plasma triglycerides levels in both as anti-infammatories like Brocchia cinerea (Delile) Vis, Thy- normal and diabetic rats (Amssayef and Eddouks 2020). Other mus algeriensis Boiss. & Reut, and Thymus munbyanus subsp. ethnopharmacological uses of the most cited plants by the ciliatus (Desf.) Greuter & Burdet; and species ‏used to manage local population are represented in Table 2. hypercholesterolemia included Thymus‏ algeriensis Boiss. & Reut. Other new practices were described for Maropsis deserti Fidelity level (FL) (de Noé) Pomel as a diuretic while Rhanterium adpressum Coss. & Durieu as antidiuretic; Otoglyphis pubescens (Desf.) FL of species was determined and we considered those Pomel to treat otitis and tonsillitis; Saccocalyx satureioides plants whose FL were superior to 50 as important and signif- Coss. & Durieu as antihypertensive; Ballota hirsuta Benth icant. The plants with less than 5 use reports were excluded. to heal rheumatism. For skin diseases; the new uses referred Ephedra alata subsp. alenda (Stapf) Trab having the highest to Brocchia cinerea (Delile) Vis to treat eczema. The same FL (100 %) was used for treating cancer. The same result was plant with Anvillea garcinii subsp. radiata (Coss. & Durieu) found in the study of Illizi in Algerian Sahara (Miara et al. Anderb acts as an anti-allergic plant; Ephedra‏ alata subsp. 2019c). Calculation of FL indicated that Teucrium polium L. alenda (Stapf) Trab using as an anti-goiter; ‏ Juniperus oxyce- is the wide species used for treating digestive disorders with drus L. subsp.oxycedrus and Santolina rosmarinifolia L. as an FL of 60 %. Ballota hirsuta Benth has been reported to be anti-ulcer agents. Also, the new traditional therapeutics that used in the treatment of migraine with an FL of (57.14.5 %). did not cite any in the previous literature included Artemisia Santolina rosmarinifolia L was used for gastric pain having herba-alba Asso, and Thymus algeriensis Boiss. & Reut to an FL of 56.25 % (Table 2). manage COVID-19 symptoms. These botanical species should be evaluated phytochemically and pharmaceutically. Comparison with national and regional ethnobotanical surveys: Conclusions

Comparative analysis results from 21 previous ethnobotani- The current study is the frst survey that records the indig- cal surveys are shown in Table 2; in which they reported at enous knowledge of the use of medicinal plants in the prov- minimum one similar therapeutic use from the inventoried ince of Naâma. The results obtained indicate the richness

1 3 Vegetos (2021) 34:654–662 661 and diversity of the area with medicinal plants. Moreover, Cheong DHJ, Tan DWS, Wong FWS, Tran T (2020) Anti-malarial local people possess precious quantities of knowledge con- drug, artemisinin and its derivatives for the treatment of respira- tory diseases. Pharmacol Res 158:104901. https://​doi.​org/​10.​ frmed by the large number of species cited with their mode 1016/j.​phrs.​2020.​104901 of preparation and diferent part used for manifold therapeu- Eddouks M, Maghrani M, Lemhadri A, Ouahidi M-L, Jouad H tic uses. Some of this heritage was being lost. 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