ENQUETE ETHNOBOTANIQUE SUR LES PLANTES UTILISEES POUR LE TRAITEMENT DES HEPATITES

Abstract

An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in the treatment of hepatic disorders (particularly hepatitis) was conducted in the region of Bordj Bou Arreridj. The objective of this study was to inventory the plant species traditionally employed against these liver affections, document their methods of use, and evaluate the potential risks associated with their consumption. The survey was carried out over a three-month period (from February to April 2026) using questionnaires administered to hepatitis patients, users of medicinal plants, and traditional herbalists. The collected data included the sociodemographic characteristics of the informants, the plant species used, the specific plant parts employed, the methods of preparation, as well as any reported adverse effects. Additionally, a comprehensive literature review was performed to assess available scientific data regarding the efficacy, toxicity, and drug interactions of the recorded plants. The results led to the identification of 17 medicinal species. The most frequently utilized parts were the leaves, and the preparations were predominantly administered in the form of decoctions. The most commonly cited species were Rhamnus alaternus (Mediterranean buckthorn), Silybum marianum (milk thistle), and Curcuma longa (turmeric), all well-known for their traditional uses in treating hepatic pathologies. The literature analysis demonstrates that several of these plants possess hepatoprotective properties documented in scientific research. However, certain species can present adverse effects, hepatic or extra-hepatic toxicity at high doses, as well as interactions with specific medications, notably anticoagulants, antidiabetics, and treatments metabolized by hepatic enzymes. This study highlights the significance of traditional knowledge regarding medicinal plants used against hepatitis, while underscoring the necessity of a rational and monitored use of these remedies. The gathered data constitute a valuable resource for the valorization of local ethnobotanical heritage and for the development of future research in phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology to ensure the efficacy and safety of medicinal plant usage.