Ethnobotanical Investigation Of Papaver Rhoeas L. in Eastern Algeria and In Silico Evaluation Of Its Bioactive Constituents Through Molecular Docking

Abstract

An ethnobotanical and in silico study on the corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas L.) was conducted between March and May 2026 in the Setif and Bordj Bou Arreridj regions. We evaluated the traditional practices related to this plant and validated its pharmacological properties through molecular modeling. The ethnobotanical survey, conducted among 113 individuals (consumers and herbalists), revealed a female dominance of 74.3%, consisting mainly of universityeducated young adults aged 18 to 30. Users consume the plant (35.4%) primarily to treat insomnia, anxiety, and pain. This ethnobotanical study highlighted the significance of using flowers in phytotherapy (23%), mostly prepared as infusions and decoctions (76.1%). However, administration relies on imprecise and purely intuitive doses (42.5%) within a selfmedication framework (55.8%), leading to frequent adverse effects like severe drowsiness (27.4%). Concurrently, the in silico approach brilliantly validated these observations: the bioactive compounds in the seeds (kaempferol, gallic acid, quercetin) demonstrated potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and sedative activities (via the GABA-A receptor). Nowadays, the uncontrolled use of medicinal plants remains a critical public health issue. Further in vivo and in vitro investigations are absolutely necessary to safely and standardly valorize the seeds of this plant