Ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants of Bouira localities (Northern Algeria) to manage Diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus has drawn the interest of scientists due to its widespread occurrence in the population, and there is a growing need to find novel therapeutic medications derived from natural sources to treat diabetes mellitus. The goal of this study was to document the folk medicinal plant knowledge for the management of diabetes by conducting an ethnobotanical survey in the Bouira district (Algeria).

Methods: The research was conducted between January and May 2024. To gather ethnobotanical data, 301 informants (herbalists and members of the general public) who are knowledgeable about and utilize medicinal plants were interviewed. The Plant Part Value, Relative Frequency of Citation and Family Importance Value Index were used to objectively examine the recorded data.

Results: A total of 43 plant species from 24 families were traditionally used by the population of Bouira localities to treat diabetes. With nine species, the Lamiaceae family was identified as the primary family, followed by the Astraiceae and Fabaceae, with four and three species, respectively. The most frequently cited species were Olea europaea (RFC = 0.333), Artemisia herba-alba (RFC = 0.214), Moringa oleifera (RFC = 0.158), Centaurium erythraea (RFC = 0.118), Cinnamomum verum (RFC = 0.116), Marrubium vulgare, Trigonella foenum-graecum (RFC = 0.095), and Salvia rosmarinus Spenn (RFC = 0.079). Leaves were the most commonly used plant part (35%), primarily prepared as decoctions (55%), and administered orally (95.03%) for management of diabetes.

Conclusions: The data collected provide a valuable foundation for future pharmacological investigations aimed at developing novel therapeutic strategies for diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: Ethnobotanical survey, diabetes mellitus, Medicinal plants, Bouira province, Algeria