Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used for cancer treatment at the province of Nador, Morocco

Abstract

Morocco has varied wealth of aromatic and medicinal plants (AMPs) which are commonly used for prevention and treatment of various diseases or as complementary therapy such for cancer diseases. An ethnobotanical study was carried out in the province of Nador, located northeast of Morocco. A total of 418 persons were interviewed, information about their profile, type of medicinal plants existing in this area, plant characteristics and uses of those existing plants. Results showed 35 species distributed in 23 families, the most represented were Lamiaceae (7), Apiaceae (5) and Fabaceae (3). This study revealed that the population mainly used seeds (28%), leaves (26%), aerial parts (20%) and fruits (14%). Moreover, it has shown that Nerium oleander were used by the local population for cancer treatments. Biological activity of N. oleandershowed an antimicrobial effect on Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosaand Staphylococcus aureus.