ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN DJEBEL MESSAAD REGION (M'SILA, ALGERIA)

Abstract

An ethnobotanical study was conducted in Jebel Messaâd region located in south of Boussaâda city in the province of M'sila (Algeria). Aim of this work was to identify medicinal plants used by local people of this region. The study allowed us to identify 60 species belonging to 55 genera and 33 families. Through a series of ethno-botanical surveys, it was possible to collect much information on the use of these plants. Study showed that foliage was the most used part, in addition to decoction and infusion methods which are the most widely used preparation. Results obtained in this work showed that the study region of Jebel Messaâd was a potential source of Algerian medicinal flora which would provide support in new natural substances research too.

Headnote

ABSTRACT

An ethnobotanical study was conducted in Jebel Messaâd region located in south of Boussaâda city in the province of M'sila (Algeria). Aim of this work was to identify medicinal plants used by local people of this region. The study allowed us to identify 60 species belonging to 55 genera and 33 families. Through a series of ethno-botanical surveys, it was possible to collect much information on the use of these plants. Study showed that foliage was the most used part, in addition to decoction and infusion methods which are the most widely used preparation. Results obtained in this work showed that the study region of Jebel Messaâd was a potential source of Algerian medicinal flora which would provide support in new natural substances research too.

KEY WORDS: Djebel Messaâd, medicinal plants, traditional medicine, ethno-botanical survey, medicinal flora, natural substances.

INTRODUCTION

Medicinal plants were often used to heal for a long time. Although the current pharmacopeia with the occult, many people are satisfied by their medicinal abilities. Transmission of knowledge, by our elders, was interrupted with modern medicine (Hseini & Kahouadji, 2007). These same plants are a bank of information for those who have decided to take their daily pain differently, neglecting the chemicals in modern medicine. Particularly in the programs of some international organizations such as the international union for conservation of nature (IUCN) that aim, through the involvement of local communities, promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources in the world North Africa.

This study is intended to contribute to the acquisition of additional knowledge and aims to better use these plants for medical purposes in their giving more information about the utility of localized species in the study area through ethnobotanical surveys and collecting as much information on the use of medicinal plants for Jebel Messaad, located in the province of M'sila in Algeria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

1. Presentation and climate study area

Jebel Messaâd forest which was our study area, is located 30 km south of Boussaâda city, with an area of 33564.06 hectares (Figure 1 and 2). This region is characterized by a dry season duration and intensity, playing a key role in the distribution of flora (Kaâbache, 1990). According phytogeographic subdivisions of Algeria (Quezel and Santa, 1962), Jebel Messaad belongs to the saharian atlas steppe area of Maghreb sector and Mediterranean region.

2. Plant material and study methods

Plants studied have been recorded using surveys in various villages of the study area. The method used is based on surveys through questionnaires prepared and distributed to the residents of the study area. Questions focus on the medical characteristics of plants, their modes of handcraft and the common name of these plants experienced by people in this region. For the identification of species, we used the new flora of Algeria and the southern desert regions (Quezel and Santa, 1962) and flora of North Africa. (Mayor, 1952-1987). The questionnaire is to have information on the type of disease treated by these plants primarily for diseases of the circulatory, digestive, respiratory, urinary and genital apparatus; auditory and visual sensation and diseases of nervous system and skin also. In this questionnaire it was also interested by the part of the plant used (roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits) or whole plant. While for the use of such plants in the medical treatment, it is possible to determine several methods such as infusion, decoction, poultice, maceration, inhalation, friction and drop (Table. 1).

The questionnaire affected both sexes (male and female) whose age varies between 10 and over than 80 year older (Table. 2).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Generally the study highlights a rich flora of 60 species belonging to 55 genera and 33 families, the most important are the plants belonging to Asteraceae and Lamiaceae (Table 3).

Women often use medicinal plants compared to men (49 women against 41 men) (Figure 3).

It appears that leaves are the most used part by the people of Jebel Messaâd at a portion of (75.47%), followed by flowers (37.74%), stems (31.13%), root (27.36%), fruit (16.04%) and seeds (15.09%) respectively (Figure4).

Leaves are the most parts used by the people of Djebel Messaâd using multiple preparation methods. Infusion and decoction are the most frequent instructions with percentage of 100%, 80%, 32.94%, 24, 70%, 11.76%, 10.58%, 8.23% and 2.35% respectively (figure 5); While decoction and infusion are the most frequent dosage forms or methods used (Figure 6). It should be noted that the results table clearly shows the part used and the therapeutic properties of each species recorded in the various traditional treatments.

DISCUSSION

Men use medicinal plants to heal for a long time; so many people are seduced by their medicinal abilities. These same plants are a bank of information for those who have decided to take their daily pain differently, neglecting the chemicals in modern medicine. Particularly in the programs of some international organizations such as the international union for conservation of nature (IUCN) that aim, through the involvement of local communities, promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources in the world (Hseini & Kahouadji, 2007).

Survival, proliferation, and chemical composition of plants in the spontaneous flora of Algerian Sahara closely dependent on climatic variations (Chehma A & Yousef F, 2009). Herbal medicine can often meet daily occurrence of diseases, and this is the case in disorders of stomatology sphere where herbal medicine has an important role to play.

After a comprehensive analysis of data collected ethno-botanical surveys, results were interested in the informant's profile and groups of medicinal species treating various diseases reported in the study area. Analysis of the questionnaires sheets have allowed us to identify a large number of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine by the people of the region near the studied forest, it is the region of Djebel Messaâd in Boussaâda district.

However, the collection of these bodies is an uncontrolled manner by the local population is unconscious preservation mies of the herbal wealth. This practice can have negative consequences on the preservation of biodiversity in the study area. It can lead to total loss of species, hence the need to improve the habits of the users towards these medicinal plants to respect the natural heritage.

The decoction is the preparation method mainly used (100%) (Figure7). This percentage shows that the local population relies on this type of preparation and is suitable to warm the body and sanitize the plant. Infusion (80%), the poultice (32.94%) powder (24.70%), fresh use (11.76%) and the use of oils from these plants is (10.58%), while the maceration (8.23%), and the end use of syrups is in last position to (2.35%).

The active substances of cartilage damage are not numerous. These are unsaponifiable plants that act on the connective, which have such activity is called the anti-arthritic effect extended to today. The plants used in stomatology are plants acting on mucous membranes or have astringent and emollient properties. The interest in herbal medicine is to prevent stone formation or treat the condition to avoid the surgical procedure. Local and general treatment must promote salivary secretion, reduce inflammation, prevent or cure the infection of the gland (Goetz, 2010). We could list multiple plants in the treatment of rheumatism used in folk medicine, considering the ethno-botany and ethno-pharmacological aspects, a significant number of plants with different use have been identified (Babulka, 2007). Medicinal plants species founded in Djebel Messaad region and their therapeutic properties and traditional uses were listed in the following table (Table 3).

CONCLUSION

Ethno-botanical study at Jebel Messaâd forest indicates that the region is very rich in many plants which have a medicinal importation in traditional medicine uses by the people. So people of Jebel Messaâd use herbal medicines much as a custom. We noticed that some people have no idea on a few plants found in the study area, and local plants do not treat all diseases, and also, we do not know the names or usefulness of most medicinal plants. Women and men have shared medical knowledge. The percentage of plants used between the sexes is different. The results show that women use large quantities of medicinal plants. This study allowed us to identify that decoction is the most used, among the most used in traditional herbal medicine part. Leaves are the most used. The uncontrolled harvesting known for their therapeutic qualities species poses a risk to their survival. Some species are endangered due to overexploitation (excessive tearing). Lamiaceae family that are systematically torn with their roots to be sold in the cities and villages of the region. In North Africa many plants have been ethnobotanical studies and phytochemical analysis, the majority of these plants are included in the list of plants of the study area as Artemisia herbaalba Asso, Artemisia campestris L., Cynodon dactylon L., Inula viscosa L., Olea europeae L., Marrubium vulgare L., Pistacia atlantica Desf., Pistacia lend sens L., Salvia verbenaca L., Teuer him poli uni L. Ziziphora hispanica L. (Chemli 1997; Bellakhdar 1997; Beloued 2005; Hachicha et al., 2009;. Kattouf et al., 2009; Bezza and 2010; Lahsissene and Kahouadji, 2010; Baba Aissa, 2011; Bounar et al., 2012: Bounar et al., 2013; Rebbas et Bounar, 2014). The implementation process of cultures, species, instead of the haphazard collection can improve the income of local people while ensuring the conservation of plant diversity of this region. The culture of these economic plants, especially medicinal herbalists and marketing undeniably increase income populations (Rebbas et al., 2012; Rebbas, 2014). The extraction of active ingredients, the phytochemist needs a certain amount of plant, a plant part or the entire plant, both in the entire plant is harvested during flowering and fruiting. This requires the creation of plots of cultivation of medicinal plants selected from floristic lists drawn through floristic inventories. In Algeria, the market for plants with medicinal properties is unchecked (Boulaâcheb et al., 2006). Given the different uses of these plants, regulation seems necessary. Each country must develop its own specifications.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work was undertaken as part of a research project CNEPRU (Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research-Algeria), Code No: F05620110025, entitled: Inventory, development and in vitro characterization of useful medicinal, aromatic and forage plants in the steppe region of El Hodna (M'sila-Algeria).

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Cite this article:

BENDERRADJI Laid , Khellaf REBBAS, GHADBANE Mouloud, BOUNAR Rabah, BRINI Faiçal, BOUZERZOUR Hamenna (2014), ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN DJEBEL MESSAAD REGION (M'SILA, ALGERIA), Global J Res. Med. Plants & Indigen. Med., Volume 3(12): 445-459

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Source of Support: Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research-Algeria

Conflict of Interest: None Declared