Étude ethnobotanique des plantes anthelminthiques et les propriétés antioxydantes de Cucurbita pepo et Artemisia herba alba

Abstract

This study explores the traditional use and pharmacological properties of anthelmintic plants in the Sétif region (Algeria). The ethnobotanical survey reveals a strong representation of traditional practitioners, mostly men (66%) aged 50 to 69 years, with knowledge transmission rooted in empirical experience (60% self-training, 51.5% self-medication). The dominant preparation methods are infusion and maceration (26% each), with a preference for solar drying (35%). The aqueous extract of Artemisia herba alba shows a higher yield (13%), a high content of polyphenols (145.9 mg EAG/g) and flavonoids (50.08 mg EQ/g), and a significant antioxidant activity attributed to its secondary metabolites. In contrast, the aqueous extract of Cucurbita pepo shows moderate activity correlated with its lower content of phenolic compounds (76.33 mg EAG/g). Radical scavenging (DPPH, OH•) and reducing power tests confirmed the antioxidant efficacy of the extracts, although lower than that of the ascorbic acid and BHT.