Ethnobotanical survey of the traditional antiparasitic use of medicinal plants in humans and animals in Laghouat (Southern Algeria)

Research (Published online: 24-02-2023)

15. Ethnobotanical survey of the traditional antiparasitic use of medicinal plants in humans and animals in Laghouat (Southern Algeria)

Fathia Benlarbi, Nora Mimoune, Noureddine Chaachouay, Karim Souttou, Radhwane Saidi, Mohamed Rahmani Mokhtar, Rachid Kaidi, and Mohammed Hocine Benaissa

Veterinary World, 16(2): 357-368

Fathia Benlarbi: Laboratory for Exploration and Valorization of Steppe Ecosystems (EVES), Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, University of Djelfa, Moudjbara Road, BP 3117, Djelfa, Algeria.

Nora Mimoune: Department of Clinics, Animal Health and Production Laboratory, Higher National Veterinary School, Algiers, 16000, Algeria.

Noureddine Chaachouay: Agri-Food and Health Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences and Techniques of Settat, Hassan FIRST University, Po. Box. 382, 26000 Settat, Morocco.

Karim Souttou: Laboratory for Exploration and Valorization of Steppe Ecosystems (EVES), Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, University of Djelfa, Moudjbara Road, BP 3117, Djelfa, Algeria.

Radhwane Saidi: Laboratory of Biological and Agronomic Sciences, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Sciences, Laghouat University, Laghouat, Algeria.

Mohamed Rahmani Mokhtar: Laboratory of Biological and Agronomic Sciences, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Sciences, Laghouat University, Laghouat, Algeria.

Rachid Kaidi: Institute of Veterinary Sciences, LBRA, University of Blida 1, PB 270, Soumaa, Blida, 09000, Algeria.

Mohammed Hocine Benaissa: Scientific and Technical Research Centre for Arid Areas (CRSTRA), Biophysical Station, PB 30240, Nezla, Touggourt, Algeria.

doi: www.doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2023.357-368

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Article history: Received: 08-08-2022, Accepted: 06-01-2023, Published online: 24-02-2023

Corresponding author: Mohammed Hocine Benaissa

E-mail: ben.medhocine@gmail.com

Citation: Benlarbi F, Mimoune N, Chaachouay N, Souttou K, Saidi R, Mokhtar MR, Kaidi R, and Benaissa MH (2023) Ethnobotanical survey of the traditional antiparasitic use of medicinal plants in humans and animals in Laghouat (Southern Algeria), Veterinary World, 16(2): 357–368.

Abstract

Background and Aim: An ethnobotanical survey was carried out among the inhabitants of the Aflou region of Laghouat (Southern Algeria). This study was considered as a first step toward the identification of new bioactive antiparasitic molecules. The preservation and documentation of this traditional knowledge will ensure its continuity and transmission from one generation to another, especially because of the emergence of resistant parasites and the lack of references caused by the lack of work in this area; therefore, we intended to inventory and collect the maximum amount of information on medicinal plants that are traditionally used by the local population as antiparasitic in humans and animals (small ruminants, cattle, and livestock).

Materials and Methods: The information was collected using open interviews; the ethnobotanical survey was carried out in the area mentioned above from April to July 2021 using a semi-structured questionnaire and a global sample of 200 respondents. The data were analyzed using the System Package for the Social Sciences software and Microsoft Excel 2010 using the following quantitative indices: Relative frequency of citation (RFC), family importance value (FIV), fidelity level, and informant consensus factor (ICF).

Results: The investigation uncovered the antiparasitic use of 58 plant species belonging to 30 families. The family Asteraceae had the highest FIV (FIV = 0.23). The pathology with the highest degree of agreement among the informants was genitourinary parasitosis (ICF = 0.930). The species that was most commonly cited by the local population was Artemisia herba-alba Asso (RFC = 1), and the foliage was the most commonly used part (46.4%). Infusion (38.8%) was the most-used preparation for remedies.

Conclusion: This investigation revealed a rich ethnopharmacological knowledge in southern Algeria; therefore, the data gathered in this survey may be utilized to create novel antiparasitic compounds with activity in humans and animals.

Keywords: antiparasitic medicinal plants, ethnobotanical survey, human and animal parasitosis, Laghouat.