Ethnobotanical Survey, Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activity of Methanolic Extracts of Pistacia lentiscus L. Growing in Northwestern Algeria

Abstract

In the context of biological studies on an antidiabetic plant, we conducted an ethnobotanical study of Pistacia lentiscus L., collected from two regions in the Northwest of Algeria: Mesra (Mostaganem city) and Mohammadia (Mascara city), followed by a chemical and antioxidant studies of methanolic extracts the leaves of this plant. Ethnobotanically, the plant has a large use, especially in traditional medicine as antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and cosmetics, such as polishing teeth and maintaining gums, moisturizing hair and protecting follicles, polishing skin and perfuming. Also, results showed its richness in active metabolites, such as polyphenols, flavonoids and tanins. The Mesra methanolic extract was more effective than Mohammadia’s one with 90.12 ± 2.74 mg EqGAc/g DW, 41.86 ± 1.52 mg EqCer/g DW, 27.45 ± 056 mg EqCat/g DW while Mohammadia extract revealed 80.31 ± 1.42 mg EqGAc/g DW, 33.92 ± 1.71 mg Eq Cer/g DW, 27.61 ±1.53 mg EqCat/g DW for phenolic compounds, flavonoids and tannins respectively. In addition, the antioxidant study revealed a powerful antioxidant effect with an IC50 of 0.06 mg/mL and 0.1 mg/mL for methanolic extract. This antidiabetic plant is valuable from a health point of view, so we are seeking to confirm another biological activity in vitro and in vivo.