Traditional use of <em>Matricaria pubescens </em>(Desf.) Schultz in two regions of southern Algeria and contribution to study the antioxidant activity

Abstract

Algerian flora holds a rich diversity of medicinal and endemic plants, many of which are used in Algerian traditional medicine and have the potential to provide pharmacologically active natural products. The present study focuses on a spontaneous species of the central and Septentrional Sahara, <em>Matricaria pubescens </em>(Desf.) Schultz. The ethnobotanical survey of 122 people, among herbalists, town&rsquo;s people and traditional healers took place in two towns; Tamenrasset and Bechar. Various informations were collected on the traditional use of the chamomile of the Sahara, its various vernacular names (<em>Ouazouaza</em>) and preparation methods, such as decoction (38.80 %). Similarly, it was proved that many diseases are treated by the use of <em>Matricaria pubescens</em> (Desf.) Schultz, such as joint disease (26.20 %), fever (17.50 %), cough (14.50 %), and asthma (11.70 %). Regarding the toxicity of the plant, the majority of respondents (96.70 %) reported the absence of side effects. The survey on the field was very profitable, therefore, the Sahara chamomile is a species to preserve and increase. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, coumarins, flavonoids and saponins, the antioxidant power of infused is put out by the iron reduction method (FRAP) and it proved good comparing with ascorbic acid (vitamin C).