Medicinal plants used for gastrointestinal disorders in Morocco

Abstract

Background: The present study is devoted exclusively to ethnobotanical and pharmacological knowledge of plants used to treat gastrointestinal diseases in Morocco. Its main purpose is to collect data on the methods of preparation and administration of recipes, the pharmacological properties and the chemical constituents of each plant.

Method: The ethnobotanical and pharmacological information relating to these plants was obtained by a review of the literature available in electronic databases namely Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Springer-Link and MEDLINE.

Results: In total, 216 plant species belonging to 65 families have been used in traditional Moroccan medicine to treat various digestive diseases. The species most used by local population were: Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Pistacia lentiscus L, Allium cepa L., Allium sativum L., Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Artemisia herba-alba Asso, Ajuga iva (L.) Schreb., Ocimum basilicum L., Origanum compactum Benth., Rosmarinus officinalis L., Ceratonia siliqua L. and Punica granatum (L.). The leaf was the most used part of the plant, and the decoction was the main method of preparation. Phytochemical analyzes revealed that these plants have many bioactive chemical constituents and very important pharmacological activities.

Conclusions: This study showed a great diversity of medicinal species used by the Moroccan population. However, it is necessary to systematically evaluate the listed plants to confirm their biological activities and recommend their best uses for treating gastrointestinal diseases.

Keywords: Medicinal plants, gastrointestinal disorders, ethnobotany, pharmacology, Morocco