Next Article in Journal
A Fast Ubiquitination of UHRF1 Oncogene Is a Unique Feature and a Common Mechanism of Thymoquinone in Cancer Cells
Previous Article in Journal
Extraction of Antioxidant Compounds and Pigments from Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) Assisted by Pulsed Electric Fields and the Binary Mixture of Organic Solvents and Water
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Applied Sciences
Volume 11
Issue 16
10.3390/app11167620
applsci-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles thumb_up
...
Endorse textsms
...
Comment
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Exploration of the Medicinal Flora of the Aljumum Region in Saudi Arabia

by
Sameer H. Qari
*,
Abdulmajeed F. Alrefaei
,
Wessam Filfilan
and
Alaa Qumsani
Department of Biology, Aljumum University College, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(16), 7620; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11167620
Submission received: 4 August 2021 / Revised: 16 August 2021 / Accepted: 17 August 2021 / Published: 19 August 2021
(This article belongs to the Topic Frontiers in Phytochemicals)
Browse Figures
Review Reports Versions Notes

Abstract

:
Understanding the natural resources of native flora in a particular area is essential to be able to identify, record, and update existing records concerning the flora of that area, especially medicinal plants. Until recently, there has been very little scientific documentation on the biological diversity of Aljumum flora. The current study aimed to document medicinal plants among the flora of this region and determine the traditional usages that are documented in the literature. In the flowering season from November 2019 to May 2020, we conducted more than 80 field trips to the study area. The results reported 90 species belonging to 79 genera and 34 families in the Aljumum region, which constitute 82 species of medicinal plants from a total of 2253 known species in Saudi Arabia. The most distributed species were Calotropis procera, Panicum turgidum, and Aerva javanica (5.31%); within four endemic families, we found Fabaceae (32.35%), Poaceae (20.58%), and Asteraceae and Brassicaceae (17.64%). The present study reviews a collection of medicinal plants in Aljumum used in ethnomedicine. Additionally, these natural resources should be preserved, and therefore, conservation programs should be established to protect the natural diversity of the plant species in this region with sustainable environmental management.

1. Introduction

With the first appearance of humans on the earth, and through the centuries, humans have relied on plants and medicinal herbs as a treatment source. Medicinal plants are a part of folk medicine, which is the primary source of modern pharmaceutical discoveries [1,2]. Medicinal plants impact global health, international trade, and the economy through the pharmaceutical industries. In terms of global health, traditional medicinal plants continue to play a central role in the health care systems of a large number of the world’s regions [2,3]. By the mid-1800s, at least 80% of all medicines were derived from plants. Then, after the scientific revolution that led to the pharmaceutical industry’s development, synthetic drugs dominated the therapeutic arena [4].
The dependence on medicinal plants as a source of folk medicine is evident in developing countries, where traditional medicine systems have long historical origins, such as in India, China, and the Arabian Peninsula [5]. Recognition of medicinal plants’ medicinal and economic benefits and their development increased in both developing and industrialized countries, despite the biological, chemical, and genetic differences between regions [6].
Herbal medicines are widely prescribed due to their remarkable effectiveness, minor side effects, and relatively low cost [7]. In Saudi Arabia, folk medicine is considered an essential aspect of people’s cultural heritage, and it was widely used before the introduction of biomedicine [8,9]. The first primary health care center using traditional medicine was established in 1926. Afterwards, the biomedicine hospitals that were founded in the second half of the twentieth century positively affected folk medicine’s increasing trend [10].
There are approximately 4 × 105 species of flowering plants known worldwide [11]. Only about 12% of them are used in traditional medicine, and about 104 species have been studied and described scientifically in alternative medicine systems [12,13,14]. The chemicals derived from higher plants make up approximately 25% of pharmaceutical drugs [15]. Legalizing medicinal plants and their derivatives is necessary when used in folk remedies [16,17]. Medicinal plants represent an essential healthy and economic component of region-specific biodiversity. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a survey of the biological diversity of medicinal plants in any country for their conservation and sustainable use and to preserve endangered medicinal species [18]. Many Saudi Arabian researchers are interested in this aspect [19,20].
Saudi Arabia has a substantial arid land area covering a significant part of the Arabian Peninsula with a geologic structure [21]. It is distinguished by several ecosystems varying in plant species diversity, comprising critical genetic resources of crop plants, medicinal plants, and xerophytic vegetation [22]. Saudi Arabia is gifted with a wide range of flora, consisting of many medicinal herbs, shrubs, and trees [23]. The flora of Saudi Arabia has about 2250 species [21]. On the other hand, the flora of Makkah district has more than 44 families, 125 genera, and 184 species. A high percentage (24.57%) of these species is used for medicinal purposes [24].
The western region of Saudi Arabia is unique in terms of its natural environment, landforms, harsh climate, and scarce water availability [21]. Previously, few floristic investigations of this region have been conducted [21,22], while numerous studies have been conducted on the floristic makeup of Saudi Arabia [25,26,27,28,29,30,31]. The Aljumum area is one of the largest governorates in the western region, with a life-form composition typical of arid and desert flora; the majority of species are therophytes and chamaephytes, with some Phanerophytes [27]. Furthermore, the flora in this area varies depending on the amount of rain and is threatened by a variety of anthropogenic activities such as urbanization, grazing, and logging [22].
Although this region has a unique diversity due to its geographical composition, there are few studies regarding plant diversity in this region. However, no ethnobotany surveys have been attempted, so there is a complete lack of information about their exploration. As a result, the Aljumum region’s flora has received insufficient attention in terms of recording its wild medicinal plants. As consequence, the purpose of this study was to conduct field surveys within the study area to record the medicinal plants that grow in the Aljumum region.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Field Investigations

Aljumum province is a governorate of the Makkah region in western Saudi Arabia and is located northwest of Makkah. The population of Aljumum is about 92,000. Its geography is characterized by mountains, valleys, and arid areas invaded by many wild plants. The climate of this region is dry, and it contains mountains, valleys, and desert areas [32]. Due to its location in the tropical region to the south, its height above sea level, and its relative distance from the Red Sea, its climate is tropical desert with very hot summers. Maximum temperatures reach 44 °C and sometimes rise to the late forties [33]. In winters, the climate is warm, with the average maximum temperature being recorded in January at around 30 °C. The average annual rainfall does not exceed 50–80 mm annually in most seasons, and most of this rain falls between November and April. In autumn, the rains are affected by the so-called region of instability, which is concentrated in the Red Sea region [32].

2.2. Plants Collection

Extensive explorations of the plant diversity of the Aljumum region was conducted during the growing season from November 2019 to May 2020 (The period has not been extended due to the restrictions of the Corona Virus pandemic) where most plant species are expected to flourish (Figure 1a). The study region’s total area is around 10,000 km2, located at 39.7137181 N, 21.6474788 E, and is divided into six districts A–F (Figure 1b). The data was gathered from 90 distinct plant samples collected from the research region, and the diversity, abundance, and different life-form spectra were determined according to Raunkiaer’s classification [34,35,36,37].

2.3. Field Trips

Six research teams were formed for field trips to collect plant samples, each team consisting of two people and a vehicle driver. Each area was visited according to the districts referred to above at a rate of two to four visits per month over a period of four months, with more than 80 field trips. The wild plant species were collected from ten territories within the study area: Aljumum city, Wadi Al-Rayan, Ayen-Shams, Al-Khaif, Rehat, Madrakah, Hada Al-Sham, Al-Fawara, Abu Urwa, and Osfan. The plant species were recorded using a quadrate of the size 10 × 10 m, distributed randomly within each site.

2.4. Plants Identification

After the field trip, the samples were initially identified according to the references of [25,26,31,38,39]. Subsequently, the plant samples were prepared and deposited at the Aljumum University College Herbarium (AUCH) in Umm Al-Qura University (UQU), Saudi Arabia, for taxonomy and confirmation of identity by taxonomy experts. Voucher specimens were preserved at the Department of Biology, Aljumum University College, UQU.

2.5. Ethnomedicinal Data

After the field trips, plant specimens were collected, serially tagged, and pressed between the blotting papers for drying [40]. Ethnomedicinal information was collected and confirmed by referring to the information sources according to [41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60].

2.6. Statistical Analyses

Descriptive statistical methods were applied to analyze and summarize plant species and families data, such as percentages, tables, chart and bar graph used Microsoft Excel 365.

3. Results

A total of 90 taxa belonging to 79 genera and 34 families were recorded and are represented in Table 1; most of the recorded species were shrubs (78%), herbs (14%), and trees (8%). The floristic diversity of the study area is shown in Figure 2. Region D was the most diverse region with frequency rates of 24.55, followed by region C, then E and B, and finally region A with percentages of 20.95%, 18.56%, 14.97%, and 10.77%, respectively. Location F was found to have little diversity, with percentages of 10.17%. Moreover, the most distributed species of flora in Aljumum are Calotropis procera, Panicum turgidum, and Aerva javanica with a percentage 5.31%, followed by Rhazya stricta, Citrullus colocynthis, Acacia ehrenbergiana Trianthema portulacastrum, and Abutilon pannosum, with a percentage of 4.25%. Some of the other species among the flora of Aljumum were distributed with a variation rate of 3.19, such as Arundo donax, Cassia italica, and Acacia tortilis. The lowest recorded percentages were 1.06–2.12% in many species, as shown in Table 1.
The number and percentage of families and species of flora in Aljumum are shown in Table 2. We found 34 families, and the most prevalent was Fabaceae (32.35%) followed by Poaceae (20.58%) and Asteraceae and Brassicaceae (17.64%), while the least frequently occurring plant families were Acanthaceae, Aizoaceae, Celastraceae, Lamiaceae, Lythraceae, Moringaceae, Oleaceae, Portulacaceae, Resedaceae, Rhamnaceae, Rutaceae, Salvadoraceae, Tamaricaceae, Tiliaceae, Typhaceae, Urticaceae, and Verbenaceae with a frequency ratio of 2.94% (Figure 3). Additionally, Table 2 illustrates the abundances of the families in Aljumum compared to the flora of Saudi Arabia. Poaceae, Asteraceae and Fabaceae, Amaranthaceae, Brassicaceae, and Lamiaceae families have the highest number of species with 285, 243, 128, 93, 86, and 73, respectively, within Saudi Arabian flora, whereas Aljumum has Fabaceae, Poaceae, Brassicaceae, and Asteraceae as high-frequency species, with numbers of 11, 7, 6, and 6, respectively. However, the most frequent families in the Aljumum region, compared with their distribution in Saudi Arabia, according to their abundance or rarity were Moringaceae, Urticaceae Salvadoraceae, and Salvadoraceae, which is considered the least widespread in Saudi Arabia and was recorded among the flora of Aljumum.
Out of the 33 collected families from the flora of Aljumum, we recorded 82 plant species used as a medicinal plant using in folk remedies (Table 3). The recorded species were distributed among 32 plant families. Fabaceae was represented by nine species, followed by Brassicaceae (seven species), Poaceae and Asteraceae (six species), Solanaceae (five species), Cucurbitaceae, Amaranthaceae and Capparaceae (four species), whereas Malvaceae, Nyctaginaceae, Convolvulaceae, Apocynaceae, and Amaranthaceae had three species, and Zygophyllaceae and Euphorbiaceae had two species. All other families were represented by one species. The medicinal plants reported in Table 3 are used to treat more than 18 types of diseases, Such as congenital syphilis, rheumatic diseases, malignancies, gastrointestinal diseases, urinary disorders, certain blood disorders, as well as some neuropathies, vascular and arterial diseases, microbiological bacterial infections, liver diseases, parasitic worm infection and so on.

4. Discussion

Saudi Arabia represents a large portion of the Arabian Peninsula, as mentioned earlier, and it is considered a large country with dynamic geographies and variable habitats. Generally, it is very rich in its biodiversity of wild plants (flora) at the level of genera, such as Acacia, Aerva, and Caralluma, or at the family level, such as Fabaceae, Poaceae, and Brassicaceae [30]. Recently, many species have been recorded among the flora of Saudi Arabia, and the number of species is increasing day by day based on new field trips and biodiversity surveys [21,29]. Initially, the number of documented species was around 1500 species, as recorded by Mujahid between 1974–1988 [39]. After 25 years, the number was increased to approximately 2300 based on many scientific publications concerning the flora of Saudi Arabia [38,61,62]. This indicates the importance of conducting more surveys in different and broad habitats in Saudi Arabia to discover the biological diversity and new species, especially medicinal plants [63,64]. This study focused on a specific region of Saudi Arabia, namely, the Aljumum Governorate, which is located northwest of Makkah. It has a wide area of land that was once known for agriculture due to the soil’s fertility and its numerous valleys [65].
The results showed 90 species from this limited area, which contains 6.44% of the species from the total flora of Saudi Arabia. This study can be considered the first study concerning the flora of Aljumum, although some studies have recorded many plant species in the Aljumum area for various research purposes [22,66,67]. The most prevalent families recorded in this study were Fabaceae and Poaceae, which are families with a typical distribution in most ecosystems in the Makkah region according to some studies that were interested in the flora of the western region of Saudi Arabia [68,69,70,71]. The findings of the current study have shown that the locations of C (Osfan), D (Al-Fawara), and E (Wadi Al-Rayan and Ayen-Shams) were the most diverse in general terms of biodiversity assessments. This result is consistent with the studies of [21,72], which suggests that this diversity is a result of variable topography among these locations and the abundance of valleys and their influence on the soils.
The current study also provides a preliminary survey of the medicinal plants in the region as it is known that traditional herbal medicine currently plays an important role as a subject of scientific research, especially when the literature and field work data are properly evaluated. These evaluation results could introduce several plants that could be prioritized in the study of specific biological activity in folk medicine [73]. Additionally, many chemical compounds can be extracted from these plants and used in the pharmaceutical industries [74,75]. These families included the most-used species in traditional medicine, such as Verbenaceae, Urticaceae, and Zygophyllaceae [76].
Recent years have seen an increase in scientific study on traditional plant medicine, particularly when the literature and fieldwork data are carefully analyzed. These evaluation findings can assist in prioritizing various plants for future research for their unique biological activity based on their traditional herbal applications and geographic distribution [73]. In this study, ethnomedicinal information was collected from 82 medicinal plants belonging to 34 families in the Aljumum region. The dominant plant families with a higher number of plant species were Fabaceae (32.35%), Poaceae (20.58%), and Asteraceae and Brassicaceae (17.64%). The use of these species may be preferred because of their ready availability. These are the most widely used medicinal plants in these families according to [77]. Some medicinal plants species (Acacia arabica, Cassia italica, Senna italica, Sorghum bicolor, Echinops viscosus, Sonchus oleraceus, and Sisymbrium irio) among these families are widespread species in local folk medicine. Herbal remedies are prepared using a variety of plant parts. However, the majority of herbal preparations are obtained from the leaves (45%), and a similar observation has been made for other forested communities with abundant leaves and green vegetation [78]. Furthermore, it is possible that the preference for leaves is due to the fact that leaves are the primary photosynthetic organ in plants and are responsible for the majority of the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, which act on the body as bioactive molecules for remediation [79]. Therefore, the leaves are responsible for photosynthesis and the release of toxins that protect the plant from environmental dangers, which adds further therapeutic value [80].
Many of the plant species recorded in the current study are preferred by herbalists for the treatment of gastrointestinal and dermatological diseases. The majority of herbalists provide oral treatments for gastrointestinal disorders in the form of decoctions and sometimes as raw ingestion. Skin diseases were the most treated ailments by herbal preparations, mainly in paste forms [81]. In Saudi Arabia, rheumatic illnesses affects 2/50,000 inhabitants [82]. However, most Saudi patients, particularly in rural regions and among the elderly, prefer to manage their condition using traditional medicines Six plant species were shown to be beneficial in the management of rheumatic illnesses in our study: Ipomoea batatas, Rhazya stricta, Ricinus communis, Salvadora persica, Solanum incanum, and Withania somnifera. This has been proven in many studies for these plant species [42,83]. Additionally, many plants have been used in traditional medicine as anti-inflammatory agents, which was shown by the results of the current study for many plant species such as Moringa peregrina, Acacia tortilis, Bougainvillea spinosa, Cordia sinensis, Cucumis melo, Echinops viscosus, Forsskaolea tenacissima, Maytenus somalensis, and Tetraena simplex, as described in some reports [84]. Among the various medicinal properties of the plant species collected from this location, anti-inflammatory and antiaromatic actions were found to be particularly useful in treating illness. Otherwise, several curative actions of various species were reported, as shown in the results. Our findings did not discover any previously unknown ethnic uses of therapeutic herbs.

5. Conclusions

The current study identified 82 species that are utilized in folk medicine among the 90 species that were surveyed from various environments throughout the Aljumum region. This study also provides a database that allows researchers to locate medicinal plants in this region for future studies to broaden the use of plant extracts in folk medicine or pharmaceutical manufacturing. The study also discussed the medical significance of these families and plant species in the treatment of various disorders. However, these natural resources must be conserved, which necessitates the establishment of conservation programs to protect the natural diversity of plant species in this region through sustainable environmental management. Researchers will have a better understanding of how varied environmental variables impact a single plant species, allowing them to analyze the impact of different environments on medicinal benefits and take advantage of the biological diversity of the vegetation in the Aljumum region.

Author Contributions

The Conceptualization, S.H.Q.; methodology and investigation, S.H.Q., A.F.A., W.F. and A.Q.; resources, A.F.A.; data curation, W.F.; writing—original draft preparation, A.Q.; writing—review and editing, S.H.Q.; supervision, S.H.Q.; project administration, S.H.Q. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

No funding received for this study.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

This data is relevant to this research.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the department of biology in Aljumum university college and the governor of Aljumum governorate for facilitating the stages of research implementation within the administrative area of the research region. Additionally, we thank Ahmed El-banhawy and Iman Nour for proofreading the manuscript. Also, we thanks graduate students Ibrahim Tarbiyyah for references formatting.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors consider themselves clear of any conflict of interest.

References

  1. Newman, D.J.; Cragg, G.M.; Snader, K.M. The Influence of Natural Products upon Drug Discovery. Nat. Prod. Rep. 2000, 17, 215–234. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  2. Howes, M.R.; Quave, C.L.; Collemare, J.; Tatsis, E.C.; Twilley, D.; Lulekal, E.; Farlow, A.; Li, L.; Cazar, M.; Leaman, D.J. Molecules from Nature: Reconciling Biodiversity Conservation and Global Healthcare Imperatives for Sustainable Use of Medicinal Plants and Fungi. Plants People Planet 2020, 2, 463–481. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  3. Akerele, O. Medicinal Plants and Primary Health Care: An Agenda for Action. Fitoterapia 1988, 59, 355–363. [Google Scholar]
  4. Gilani, A.H.; Atta-ur-Rahman. Trends in Ethnopharmacology. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2005, 100, 43–49. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  5. Qari, S.H. Assessment of the Potential Genotoxic Risk and Antigenotoxic Effect of Cassia Senna L. Leaves Aqueous Extract Using In Vitro Assays. Egypt. J. Biotechnol. 2008, 101–116. Available online: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sameer-Qari/publication/352061023_Assessment_of_the_potential_genotoxic_risk_and_antigenotoxic_effect_of_Cassia_senna_L_Leaves_aqueous_extract_using_in_vitro_assays/links/60b7844492851cde884db806/Assessment-of-the-potential-genotoxic-risk-and-antigenotoxic-effect-of-Cassia-senna-L-Leaves-aqueous-extract-using-in-vitro-assays.pdf (accessed on 4 August 2021).
  6. WHO. Regulatory Situation of Herbal Medicines—A Worldwide Review: The Evaluation of These Products and Ensuring Their Safety and Efficacy through Registration and Regulation Present Important Challenges; WHO: Geneva, Switzerland, 1998; pp. 1–39. [Google Scholar]
  7. Odhav, B.; Kandasamy, T.; Khumalo, N. Screening of African Traditional Vegetables for Their Alpha-Amylase Inhibitory Effect. J. Med. Plants Res. 2010, 4, 1502–1507. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  8. Al-Essa, M.A.; Al-Mehaidib, A.; Al-Gain, S. Parental Awareness of Liver Disease among Children in Saudi Arabia. Ann. Saudi Med. 1998, 18, 79–81. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  9. Al-Yahya, M. Kuwait. In Proceedings of the III International Conference on Islamic Medicine, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 10 September 1984. [Google Scholar]
  10. Al-Rabeeah, A. The History of Health Care in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with Emphasis on Pediatric Surgery. Saudi Med. J. 2003, 24, S9–S10. [Google Scholar]
  11. Govaerts, R. How Many Species of Seed Plants Are There? Taxon 2001, 50, 1085–1090. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  12. Schippmann, U.; Leaman, D.J.; Cunningham, A.B. Impact of Cultivation and Gathering of Medicinal Plants on Biodiversity: Global Trends and Issues. In Biodiversity and the Ecosystem Approach in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; FAO: Rome, Italy, 2002. [Google Scholar]
  13. Mondal, S.; Ghosh, D.; Ramakrishna, K. A Complete Profile on Blind-Your-Eye Mangrove Excoecaria Agallocha L. (Euphorbiaceae): Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Aspects. Pharmacogn. Rev. 2016, 10, 123. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  14. Hoekou, Y.P.; Tchacondo, T.; Karou, S.D.; Koudouvo, K.; Atakpama, W.; Pissang, P.; Gbogbo, A.K.; Woegan, A.Y.; Batawila, K.; Akpagana, K. Ethnobotanical Study of Latex Plants in the Maritime Region of Togo. Pharmacognosy Res. 2016, 8, 128. [Google Scholar]
  15. Rao, M.R.; Palada, M.C.; Becker, B.N. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Agroforestry Systems. In New Vistas in Agroforestry; Springer: Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany, 2004; pp. 107–122. [Google Scholar]
  16. Anyinam, C. Ecology and Ethnomedicine: Exploring Links between Current Environmental Crisis and Indigenous Medical Practices. Soc. Sci. Med. 1995, 40, 321–329. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  17. Vieira, A. A Comparison of Traditional Anti-Inflammation and Anti-Infection Medicinal Plants with Current Evidence from Biomedical Research: Results from a Regional Study. Pharmacognosy Res. 2010, 2, 293. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  18. El-Shabasy, A. Survey on Medicinal Plants in the Flora of Jizan Region, Saudi Arabia. Int. J. Bot. Stud. 2016, 2, 38–59. [Google Scholar]
  19. Ali, N.A.A.; Al Sokari, S.S.; Gushash, A.; Anwar, S.; Al-Karani, K.; Al-Khulaidi, A. Ethnopharmacological Survey of Medicinal Plants in Albaha Region, Saudi Arabia. Pharmacognosy Res. 2017, 9, 401. [Google Scholar]
  20. Alqethami, A.; Aldhebiani, A.Y.; Teixidor-Toneu, I. Medicinal Plants Used in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Gender Perspective. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2020, 257, 112899. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  21. Alsherif, E.A. Ecological Studies of Commiphora Genus (Myrrha) in Makkah Region, Saudi Arabia. Heliyon 2019, 5, e01615. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  22. Abdel Khalik, K.; Al-Gohary, I.; Al-Sodany, Y. Floristic Composition and Vegetation: Environmental Relationships of Wadi Fatimah, Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Arid L. Res. Manag. 2017, 31, 316–334. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  23. Mossa, J.S.; Al-Yahya, M.A.; Al-Meshal, I.A. Medicinal Plants of Saudi Arabia; King Saud University Libraries: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1987. [Google Scholar]
  24. Al-Eisawi, D.M.; Al-Ruzayza, S. The Flora of Holy Mecca District, Saudi Arabia. Int. J. Biodivers. Conserv. 2015, 7, 173–189. [Google Scholar]
  25. Migahid, A.M. Proceedings of the First Conference on the Biological Aspects of Saudi Arabia; Held at the University of Riyad, January, 1977; Riyad University Press: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1977. [Google Scholar]
  26. Migahid, A.M. Migahid and Hammouda’s Flora of Saudi Arabia; Riyadh University Publication: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1978. [Google Scholar]
  27. Batanouny, K.H.; Baeshin, N.A. Plant Communities along the Medina-Badr Road across the Hejaz Mountains, Saudi Arabia. Vegetatio 1983, 53, 33–43. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  28. Batanouny, K.H. Vegetation along the Jeddah-Mecca Road: Pattern and Process as Affected by Human Impact. J. Arid Environ. 1979, 2, 21–30. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  29. Kasem, W.T.; Hamed, M.A. Floristic Compositions and Its Affinities to Phytogeographical Regions in Wadi Khulab of Jazan, Saudi Arabia. Int. J. Plant. Soil Sci. 2017, 16, 1–11. [Google Scholar]
  30. Younes, H.A.; Zahran, M.A.; El-Qurashy, M.E. Vegetation–Soil Relationships of a Sea Landward Transect, Red Sea Coast, Saudi Arabia. J. Arid Environ. 1983, 6, 349–356. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  31. Collenette, S. Wildflowers of Saudi Arabia; National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD), King Saud University Presses: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1999. [Google Scholar]
  32. En.Wikipedia.Org. Aljumum—Wikipedia. 2021. Available online: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Index.Php?Title=Al_Jumum&oldid=1018472895 (accessed on 12 August 2021).
  33. Martin, C.; Zhang, Q.; Zhai, D.; Zhang, X.; Duarte, C.M. Enabling a Large-Scale Assessment of Litter along Saudi Arabian Red Sea Shores by Combining Drones and Machine Learning. Environ. Pollut. 2021, 277, 116730. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  34. Braun-Blanquet, J.; Lalucat Jo, J. Fitosociología: Bases para el Estudio de las Comunidades Vegetales/Pflanzensoziologie; H. Blume: Madrid, Spain, 1979. [Google Scholar]
  35. Molinier, R. Le Dynamisme de La Végétation Provençale. Collect. Bot. 1968, 7, 817–844. [Google Scholar]
  36. Rivas-Martínez, S.; Penas, Á.; del Río, S.; González, T.E.D.; Rivas-Sáenz, S. Bioclimatology of the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands. In The Vegetation of the Iberian Peninsula; Springer: Berlin/Heidleberg, Germany, 2017; pp. 29–80. [Google Scholar]
  37. Galán de Mera, A.; Hagen, M.A.; Vicente Orellana, J.A. Aerophyte, a New Life Form in Raunkiaer’s Classification? J. Veg. Sci. 1999, 10, 65–68. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  38. Chaudhary, S.A. Flora of the Kingdom of the Saudi Arabia; Ministry of Agriculture and Water: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2001; Volume III.
  39. Migahid, A.M.; Hammouda, M.A. Flora of Saudi Arabia; Riyadh University Publication: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1974; Volume 2. [Google Scholar]
  40. Dos Santos, L.L.; Vieira, F.J.; de Sousa Nascimento, L.G.; da Silva, A.C.O.; dos Santos, L.L.; de Sousa, G.M. Techniques for Collecting and Processing Plant Material and Their Application in Ethnobotany Research. In Methods and Techniques in Ethnobiology and Ethnoecology; Springer: Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany, 2014; pp. 161–173. [Google Scholar]
  41. Al-Shanwani, M. Plants Used in Saudi Folk Medicine; KACST: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 1996. [Google Scholar]
  42. Rahman, M.A.; Mossa, J.S.; Al-Said, M.S.; Al-Yahya, M.A. Medicinal Plant Diversity in the Flora of Saudi Arabia 1: A Report on Seven Plant Families. Fitoterapia 2004, 75, 149–161. [Google Scholar]
  43. Koh, H.L.; Tan, C.H.; Chua, T.K. Guide to Medicinal Plants, A: An Illustrated Scientific And Medicinal Approach; World Scientific: Singapore, 2009. [Google Scholar]
  44. Ahmad, I.; Mehmood, Z.; Mohammad, F.; Ahmad, S. Antimicrobial Potency and Synergistic Activity of Five Traditionally Used Indian Medicinal Plants. J. Med. Aromat. Plant Sci. 2000, 22, 173–176. [Google Scholar]
  45. Saqib, F.; Janbaz, K.H. Rationalizing Ethnopharmacological Uses of Alternanthera Sessilis: A Folk Medicinal Plant of Pakistan to Manage Diarrhea, Asthma and Hypertension. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2016, 182, 110–121. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  46. Nagori, B.P.; Solanki, R. Cynodon Dactylon (L.) Pers.: A Valuable Medicinal Plant. Res. J. Med. Plant 2011, 5, 508–514. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  47. Sakkir, S.; Kabshawi, M.; Mehairbi, M. Medicinal Plants Diversity and Their Conservation Status in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). J. Med. Plants Res. 2012, 6, 1304–1322. [Google Scholar]
  48. Kirimuhuzya, C.; Waako, P.; Joloba, M.; Odyek, O. The Anti-Mycobacterial Activity of Lantana Camara a Plant Traditionally Used to Treat Symptoms of Tuberculosis in South-Western Uganda. Afr. Health Sci. 2009, 9, 40–45. [Google Scholar]
  49. Bokhari, F.M. Antifungal Activity of Some Medicinal Plants Used in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Mycopath 2009, 7, 51–57. [Google Scholar]
  50. Adtani, P.; Malathi, N.; Chamundeeswari, D. Pharmacognostic Evaluation of Leaves of Ocimum Basilicum Linn: The Lamiaceae Family. J. Chem. Pharm. Sci. 2014, 7, 250–253. [Google Scholar]
  51. Marwat, S.K.; Usman, K.; Shah, S.S.; Anwar, N.; Ullah, I. A Review of Phytochemistry, Bioactivities and Ethno Medicinal Uses of Rhazya Stricta Decsne (Apocynaceae). Afr. J. Microbiol. Res. 2012, 6, 1629–1641. [Google Scholar]
  52. Asgarpanah, J.; Haghighat, E. Phytochemistry and Pharmacologic Properties of Ziziphus Spina Christi (L.) Willd. Afr. J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 2012, 6, 2332–2339. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  53. Ghazanfar, S.A. Handbook of Arabian Medicinal Plants; CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, USA, 1994. [Google Scholar]
  54. AI-Said, M.S. Traditional Medicinal Plants of Saudi Arabia. Am. J. Chin. Med. 1993, 21, 291–298. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  55. Chevallier, A. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: 550 Herbs and Remedies for Common Ailments; Penguin: London, UK, 2016. [Google Scholar]
  56. Akbar, S.; Al-Yahya, M.A. Screening of Saudi Plants for Phytoconstituents, Pharmacological and Antimicrobial Properties. Aust. J. Med. Herbal. 2011, 23, 76–87. [Google Scholar]
  57. Tresina, P.S. Ethnomedicinal Plants with Therapeutic Properties; Apple Academic Press: Cambridge, MA, USA, 2019. [Google Scholar]
  58. Al-Musayeib, N.M.; Mothana, R.A.; Al-Massarani, S.; Matheeussen, A.; Cos, P.; Maes, L. Study of the in Vitro Antiplasmodial, Antileishmanial and Antitrypanosomal Activities of Medicinal Plants from Saudi Arabia. Molecules 2012, 17, 11379–11390. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  59. Ramawat, K.G.; Dass, S.; Mathur, M. Herbal Drugs: Ethnomedicine to Modern Medicine; Springer: Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany, 2009. [Google Scholar]
  60. El-Ghazali, G.E.; Al-Khalifa, K.S.; Saleem, G.A.; Abdallah, E.M. Traditional Medicinal Plants Indigenous to Al-Rass Province, Saudi Arabia. J. Med. Plants Res. 2010, 4, 2680–2683. [Google Scholar]
  61. Alfarhan, A.H. A Phytogeographical Analysis of the Floristic Elements in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan J. Biol. Sci. 1999, 2, 702–711. [Google Scholar]
  62. Masrahi, Y.S.; Al-Turki, T.A.; Sayed, O.H. Wolffiella Hyalina (Delile) Monod (Lemnaceae)—A New Record for the Flora of Saudi Arabia. Feddes Repert. 2010, 121, 189–193. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  63. Taha, M.A.; Shabbara, H.M.; Aseeri, M.M. New Pottiaceae Genera to the Moss Flora of Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Peninsula. Cryptogam. Bryol. 2020, 41, 1. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  64. Taha, M.; Shabbara, H. New Fissidens Species to Moss Flora of Saudi Arabia. Egypt. J. Bot. 2019, 59, 803–810. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  65. Organgi, R.A. Ecological Studies in Makkah Region. 1. Vegetation Development at Wadi Fatma. J. Coll. Sci. Univ. Riyadh 1982, 13, 25–51. [Google Scholar]
  66. Shehawy, A.A.; Ibrahim, M.T.; Aboutaleb, E.S.; Qari, S.H. Bioactivity and Biochemical Efficacy of Chitinase and Justicia Brandegeana Extract against Red Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus Ferrugineus Olivier (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Food Sci. Nutr. 2020, 8, 4625–4636. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  67. Abd El-Ghani, M.M. Phenology of Ten Common Plant Species in Western Saudi Arabia. J. Arid Environ. 1997, 35, 673–683. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  68. Alharthi, A.S.; Abd-ElGawad, A.M.; Assaeed, A.M. Influence of the Invasive Shrub Nicotiana Glauca Graham on the Plant Seed Bank in Various Locations in Taif Region, Western of Saudi Arabia. Saudi J. Biol. Sci. 2021, 28, 360–370. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  69. Alharbi, S.A.; Al-Qthanin, R.N. New Records of Indigofera Cordifolia Heyne Ex Roth. (Fabales: Fabaceae) in Saudi Arabia Based on Morphological and Molecular Evidence. J. Asia-Pacific Biodivers. 2020, 13, 430–437. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  70. Remesh, M.; Masrahi, Y.S.; Sayed, O.H. Phragmites Australis (Poaceae): New Addition to Flora of Southwestern Saudi Arabia. Saudi J. Biol. Sci. 2019, 26, 1563–1566. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  71. Abd El-Ghani, M.M. Floristics and Environmental Relations in Two Extreme Desert Zones of Western Egypt. Glob. Ecol. Biogeogr. 2000, 9, 499–516. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  72. El-Shaboury, G.A.; Al-Wadi, H.M.; Badr, A. Biodiversity of Some Solanum Species from Southwestern Saudi Arabia’s Highlands. Bot. Lett. 2021, 168, 246–255. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  73. Ali, A.A.N.; Al-Rahwi, K.; Lindequist, U. Some Medicinal Plants Used in Yemeni Herbal Medicine to Treat. Afr. J. Tradit. Complement. Altern. Med. 2004, 1, 72–76. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  74. Cragg, G.M.; Boyd, M.R.; Grever, M.R.; Schepartz, S.A. Pharmaceutical Prospecting and the Potential for Pharmaceutical Crops. Natural Product Drug Discovery and Development at the United States National Cancer Institute. Ann. Mo. Bot. Gard. 1995, 82, 47–53. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  75. Tosun, F.; Kızılay, Ç.A.; Şener, B.; Vural, M.; Palittapongarnpim, P. Antimycobacterial Screening of Some Turkish Plants. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2004, 95, 273–275. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  76. Al-Asmari, A.; Manthiri, R.A.; Abdo, N.; Al-Duaiji, F.A.; Khan, H.A. Saudi Medicinal Plants for the Treatment of Scorpion Sting Envenomation. Saudi J. Biol. Sci. 2017, 24, 1204–1211. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  77. Ullah, R.; Alqahtani, A.S.; Noman, O.M.A.; Alqahtani, A.M.; Ibenmoussa, S.; Bourhia, M. A Review on Ethno-Medicinal Plants Used in Traditional Medicine in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi J. Biol. Sci. 2020, 27, 2706–2718. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  78. Di Stasi, L.C.; Oliveira, G.P.; Carvalhaes, M.A.; Queiroz-Junior, M.; Tien, O.S.; Kakinami, S.H.; Reis, M.S. Medicinal Plants Popularly Used in the Brazilian Tropical Atlantic Forest. Fitoterapia 2002, 73, 69–91. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  79. Xavier, T.F.; Kannan, M.; Auxilia, A. Observation on the Traditional Phytotherapy among the Malayali Tribes in Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu, South India. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2015, 165, 198–214. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  80. El-Alfy, T.S.; Ezzat, S.M.; Hegazy, A.K.; Amer, A.M.M.; Kamel, G.M. Isolation of Biologically Active Constituents from Moringa Peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori. (Family: Moringaceae) Growing in Egypt. Pharmacogn. Mag. 2011, 7, 109–115. [Google Scholar]
  81. Petrovska, B.B. Historical Review of Medicinal Plants’ Usage. Pharmacogn. Rev. 2012, 6, 1–5. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  82. Wong, R.; Davis, A.; Badley, E.; Grewal, R.; Mohammed, M. Prevalence of Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases around the World: A Growing Burden and Implications for Health Care Needs; Models of Care in Arthritis, Bone & Joint Disease; Arthritis Community Research and Evaluation Unit: Toronto, ON, Canada, 2010; pp. 1–110. [Google Scholar]
  83. Kaur, A.; Nain, P.; Nain, J. Herbal Plants Used in Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Review. Int. J. Pharm Pharm. Sci. 2012, 4 (Suppl. 4), 44–57. [Google Scholar]
  84. Koheil, M.A.; Hussein, M.A.; Othman, S.M.; El-Haddad, A. Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Activities of Moringa Peregrina Seeds. Free Radic. Antioxid. 2011, 1, 49–61. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
Applsci 11 07620 g001 550
Figure 1. (a) Geographical boundaries of Aljumum Governorate. (b) Map showing the study areas divided into six zones (A, B, C, D, E, and F) and their coordinates. Google (2021), [google map for Aljumum region], https://goo.gl/maps/AKDQb3CfKQHwBoL59.
Figure 1. (a) Geographical boundaries of Aljumum Governorate. (b) Map showing the study areas divided into six zones (A, B, C, D, E, and F) and their coordinates. Google (2021), [google map for Aljumum region], https://goo.gl/maps/AKDQb3CfKQHwBoL59.
Applsci 11 07620 g001
Applsci 11 07620 g002 550
Figure 2. Flora diversity and abundance in Aljumum within the study areas.
Figure 2. Flora diversity and abundance in Aljumum within the study areas.
Applsci 11 07620 g002
Applsci 11 07620 g003 550
Figure 3. Family diversity abundance in Aljumum within the study areas.
Figure 3. Family diversity abundance in Aljumum within the study areas.
Applsci 11 07620 g003
Table
Table 1. The plant taxa recorded in Aljumum, family name, collection site, and distribution rate (%) within the study zones. Zones’ longitude and latitude, respectively. (A) Rehat and Madrakah: 39.721480, 21.669101; (B) Hada Al-Sham: 39.586325, 21.662486; (C) Osfan: 39.475741, 21.666860; (D) Al-Fawara: 39.700831, 21.530311; (E) Wadi Al-Rayan and Ayen-Shams: 39.614290, 21.527353; and (F) Aljumum city and Wadi Al-Rayan: 39.441392, 21.616949.
Table 1. The plant taxa recorded in Aljumum, family name, collection site, and distribution rate (%) within the study zones. Zones’ longitude and latitude, respectively. (A) Rehat and Madrakah: 39.721480, 21.669101; (B) Hada Al-Sham: 39.586325, 21.662486; (C) Osfan: 39.475741, 21.666860; (D) Al-Fawara: 39.700831, 21.530311; (E) Wadi Al-Rayan and Ayen-Shams: 39.614290, 21.527353; and (F) Aljumum city and Wadi Al-Rayan: 39.441392, 21.616949.
Family NameTaxaVouchersCollection SiteDistribution Rate (%)
AcanthaceaeBlepharis ciliaris (L.) B.L.BurttJGD19-010D1.06
AizoaceaeTrianthema portulacastrum L.JGV19-090B,C,D,E4.25
AmaranthaceaeAerva javanica (Burm.f.) Juss. ex Schult.JGV19-011A,B,C,D,F5.31
Alternanthera paronychioides A.St.-Hil.JGV19-105B,E2.12
Ouret lanata (L.) KuntzeJGF19-012F1.06
Chenopodium murale L.JGV20-044D,F2.12
Halopeplis perfoliata (Forssk.) Bunge ex Asch. & Schweinf.JGC19-045C1.06
Hammada scoparia (Pomel) IljinJGE20-046E1.06
Suaeda vermiculata Forssk. ex J.F.Gmel.JGV19-048A,B,D3.19
Atriplex coriacea Forssk.JGC19-041C1.06
ApocynaceaeCalotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.AitonJGV19-080A,B,C,D,E5.31
Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don.JGA19-013A1.06
Nerium oleander L.JGV20-012D,E2.12
Rhazya stricta Decne.JGV20-014A,B,D,E4.25
AsteraceaeEchinops viscosus DC.JGE19-015E1.06
Filago trinervia Cass.JGD20-020D1.06
Launaea intybacea (Jacq.) BeauverdJGC19-016C1.06
Pulicaria jaubertii E.Gamal-EldinJGV19-017B,C2.12
Pulicaria vulgaris Gaertn.JGD19-018D1.06
Sonchus oleraceus L.JGV19-021A,D2.12
AsclepiadaceaeCynanchum radians (Forssk.) Lam.JGV19-022C,D2.12
Sarcostemma daltonii Decne.JGC19-100C1.06
BoraginaceaeCordia sinensis Lam.JGV20-021C,F2.12
Heliotropium arbainense Fres.JGV19-024B,D2.12
Heliotropium curassavicum L.JGD20-024D1.06
Heliotropium ramosissimum (Lehm.) Sieber ex DC.JGF19-023F1.06
BrassicaceaeBiscutella didyma L.JGA20-025A1.06
Eremobium aegyptiacum (Spreng.) Asch. ex Boiss.JGV19-030D,F2.12
Farsetia stylosa R.Br.JGV19-031A,B2.12
Morettia parviflora Boiss.JGF20-028F1.06
Schouwia purpurea (Forssk.) Schweinf.JGV19-030A,C2.12
Sisymbrium irio L.JGE19-033E1.06
CapparaceaeCadaba farinose Forssk.JGE19-034E1.06
Maerua crassifolia Forssk.JGF20-035F1.06
Maerua oblongifolia Forssk. (A. Rich.)JGV19-036E,F2.12
Stylidocleome brachycarpa (Vahl ex DC.) Roalson & J.C.HallJGV19-038D,E2.12
CelastraceaeMaytenus somalensis (Loes.) Cufod. JGV20-040A,C2.12
ConvolvulaceaeConvolvulus hystrix VahlJGD19-047D1.06
Convolvulus pilosellifolius Desr.JGD19-049D1.06
Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.JGE19-051E1.06
CucurbitaceaeCitrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.JGV19-055A,B,D,E4.25
Cucumis melo L.JGV20-052A,D2.12
Cucumis melo subsp. agrestis (Naudin) PangaloJGD19-059C,D2.12
Momordica balsamina L.JGE19-060E1.06
EuphorbiaceaeAndrachne telephioides L.JGV19-061A,B,D3.19
Euphorbia hirsuta L.JGB19-063B1.06
Ricinus communis L.JGV19-065C,D2.12
FabaceaeAcacia arabica (Lam.) Willd.JGV19-066B,E2.12
Acacia ehrenbergiana HayneJGV19-067B,C,D,E4.25
Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) HayneJGV19-068A,C,D3.19
Alhagi maurorum Medik.JGV19-069B,E2.12
Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.JGV19-070C,F2.12
Senegalia mellifera (Vahl) L.A.Silva & J.FreitasJGV19-071B, C1.06
Senna italica Mill.JGV19-072B, C, D, E,F3.19
Tephrosia desertorum Scheele JGV20-073C,D2.12
Tephrosia nubica (Boiss.) BakerJGC19-074C1.06
LamiaceaeOcimum basilicum L.JGD19-076D1.06
LythraceaeLawsonia inermis L.JGV19-078C,F2.12
MalvaceaeAbutilon figarianum WebbJGE19-080E1.06
Abutilon pannosum (G.Forst.) Schltdl.JGV19-081A,C,D,E4.25
Malva parviflora L.JGE19-082E1.06
MoringaceaeMoringa peregrina (Forssk.) FioriJGE19-083E1.06
NyctaginaceaeBougainvillea spinosa (Cav.) HeimerlJGC19-084C1.06
Commicarpus helenae (Schult.) MeikleJGB19-085B1.06
Commicarpus plumbagineus (Cav.) Standl.JGV19-086B,E2.12
OleaceaeJasminum grandiflorum L.JGE19-087E1.06
PoaceaeArundo donax L.JGV19-088C,D,F3.19
Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) MorroneJGV19-089B,C2.12
Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.JGV20-090B,C2.12
Oryza sativa L.JGV20-101A,C,D3.19
Panicum turgidum Forssk.JGV19-091A,B,C,D,E5.31
Sorghum bicolor (L.) MoenchJGF19-092F1.06
PortulacaceaePortulaca oleracea L.JGV19-093D,F2.12
ResedaceaeOchradenus baccatus DelileJGB19-095B1.06
RhamnaceaeZiziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf.JGC19-096C1.06
RutaceaeRuta chalepensis L.JGE19-097E1.06
SalvadoraceaeSalvadora persica L.JGE19-098E1.06
SolanaceaeLycium shawii Roem. & Schult.JGV19-099A,D2.12
Solanum coagulans Forssk.JGV19-110D,E2.12
Solanum incanum L.JGV19-111D,F2.12
Solanum villosum Mill.JGD19-112D1.06
Withania somnifera (L.) DunalJGF19-107F1.06
TamaricaceaeTamarix aphylla (L.) H.Karst.JGE19-115E1.06
TiliaceaeCorchorus depressus (L.) StocksJGC19-108C1.06
TyphaceaeForsskaolea tenacissima L.JGB20-109B1.06
UrticaceaeTypha domingensis Pers.JGD19-094D1.06
VerbenaceaeLantana camara L.JGE20-117E1.06
ZygophyllaceaeFagonia orientalis C.Presl JGV19-116B,D2.12 + 1.06
Tetraena simplex (L.) Beier & ThulinJGV19-120D,E2.12
Tribulus pentandrus Forssk.JGV19-119C,E,F3.19
Table
Table 2. Comparison of species’ percentages for each family in the flora of Aljumum and species diversity in Saudi Arabia.
Table 2. Comparison of species’ percentages for each family in the flora of Aljumum and species diversity in Saudi Arabia.
No.FamiliesFrequency Ratio of Families in Aljumum %Species No.Frequency Ratio in SA %
Flora of AljumumFlora of Saudi Arabia *
1.Acanthaceae2.941303.33
2.Aizoaceae2.941128.33
3.Amaranthaceae21.88938.60
4.Apocynaceae11.764685.88
5.Asclepiadaceae5.882277.41
6.Asteraceae17.6462432.47
7.Boraginaceae11.764656.15
8.Brassicaceae17.646866.98
9.Capparaceae11.7641428.57
10.Celastraceae2.941911.11
11.Convolvulaceae8.823456.67
12.Cucurbitaceae11.7641723.53
13.Euphorbiaceae8.823634.76
14.Fabaceae32.35111288.59
15.Lamiaceae2.941731.37
16.Lythraceae2.941520
17.Malvaceae8.823378.11
18.Moringaceae2.9411100
19.Nyctaginaceae8.8231520
20.Oleaceae2.941333.33
21.Poaceae20.5872852.46
22.Portulacaceae2.941425
23.Resedaceae2.941119.09
24.Rhamnaceae2.941425
25.Rutaceae2.941333.33
26.Salvadoraceae2.941250
27.Solanaceae14.753315.15
28.Tamaricaceae2.941119.09
29.Tiliaceae2.941520
30.Typhaceae2.941250
31.Urticaceae2.941250
32.Verbenaceae2.941911.11
33.Zygophyllaceae11.7642814.29
* According to (EF-KSA, 2020; PD-SA, 2019).
Table
Table 3. Medicinal uses of ethnobotanical confined species in Aljumum region, Saudi Arabia.
Table 3. Medicinal uses of ethnobotanical confined species in Aljumum region, Saudi Arabia.
No.Scientific NameFamilyParts UsedFolk Medicinal UsesCitation
1Abutilon figarianum WebbMalvaceaeWholeUsing for relieving muscle pain, depression of the central nervous system, also used for applying to wasp stings and to heal wounds. [55]
2Abutilon pannosum (G.Forst.) Schltdl.MalvaceaeWholeUsing for treating diarrhea, dysentery and stomach troubles, antimicrobial[56]
3Acacia mellifera (M. Vahl) Seigler & Ebinger.FabaceaeLeavesAntioxidant activity, antimicrobial[57]
4Acacia arabica (Lam.) Willd.FabaceaeWholeHemorrhage, colds, diarrhea, scurvy and dysentery.[58]
5Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) HayneFabaceaeWholeSkin allergy, cough, inflammatory reaction.[59]
6Aerva javanica (Burm.f.) Juss. ex Schult.AmaranthaceaeWholeTooth ache[60]
7Ouret lanata (L.) KuntzeAmaranthaceaeWholeDiuretic and demulcent[43]
8Alhagi maurorum Medik.FabaceaeLeaveAntioxidant, Antinociceptive[44]
9Alternanthera paronychioides A.St.-Hil.AmaranthaceaeLeavesTreat hepatitis, tight chest, bronchitis, asthma and other lung troubles.[45]
10Arundo donax L.PoaceaeWholeUsing for cancer, condylomata and indurations of the breast[59]
11Bougainvillea spinosa (Cav.) HeimerlNyctaginaceaeWholeAnticancer, antidiabetic, antihepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antihyperlipidemic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiulcer properties.[57]
12Cadaba farinose Forssk.CapparaceaeWhole, leavespurgative, anthelmintic, antisiphilitic, emmenagogue and aperient. a remedy for dysentery, fever, cough and lungs problem[18]
13Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.AitonApocynaceaeLatexPsoriasis, Leishmaniasis, and skin infections[60]
14Cassia italica (Mill.) SprengFabaceaeWholeLaxative and urinary tract purifier[60]
15Chenopodiastrum murale (L.) S.Fuentes, Uotila & BorschAmaranthaceaeLeaves, fruitsPostnatal problems[43]
16Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad.CucurbitaceaeLeaves, fruitsAnalgesic, skin infections, a laxative, diuretic, or for insect bites[43,59]
17Stylidocleome brachycarpa (Vahl ex DC.) Roalson & J.C.HallCapparaceaeWholeCarminative, stomach-ache[57]
18Commicarpus helenae (Schult.) MeikleNyctaginaceaeWholeAntimicrobial activity[43]
19Commicarpus plumbagineus (Cav.) Standl.NyctaginaceaeLeavesTreat asthma[57]
20Convolvulus hystrix VahlConvolvulaceaeWholeAntimicrobial[55]
21Convolvulus pilosellifolius Desr.ConvolvulaceaeWholeAntimicrobial[57]
22Corchorus depressus (L.) StocksTiliaceaeSeeds, Wholeailment of aches, dysentery, enteritis, fever, and tumors.[59]
23Cordia sinensis Lam.BoraginaceaeWholeantioxidant, anti-glycation, anti-malarial and anti-inflammatory, malaria, intestinal disorders and conjunctivitis[57]
24Cucumis melo L.CucurbitaceaeWholeAntiulcer, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, free radical scavenging, antioxidant, anthelmintic.[59]
25Cucumis melo subsp. agrestis (Naudin) PangaloCucurbitaceaefruitsUsing as a cooling light cleanser or moisturizer for the skin[57]
26Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.PoaceaeWholeStop wound bleeding, durvayugma[46]
27Echinops viscosus DC.AsteraceaeWholeAnti-inflammatory, depurative, diuretic, hemostatic, hypoglycemic and vasoconstrictor.[59]
28Eremobium aegyptiacum (Spreng.) Asch. ex Boiss.BrassicaceaeLeavesTreatment of old wounds, laxative and diuretic[57]
29Euphorbia hirta L.EuphorbiaceaeWholeAntiasthmatic, febrifuge, narcotic and used in asthma and bronchitis[60]
30Fagonia tenuifolia Steud. & Hochst.ZygophyllaceaeWholePiles, urinary disorders, dysentery, stomach ache, typhoid, cancer and as a blood purifier[55]
31Farsetia ramosissima Hochst.BrassicaceaeleavesAnti-diabetic[47]
32Filago trinervia Cass.AsteraceaeWholeTreat diarrhea, antibacterial activity[59]
33Forsskaolea tenacissima L.UrticaceaeRoots, leavesRelieve fevers and infections of the urethra, prevent infection, stop bleeding, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antidiabetic and antipyretic[57]
34Halopeplis perfoliata (Forssk.) Bunge ex Asch. & Schweinf.AmaranthaceaeWholeantimicrobial activity[59]
35Hammada scoparia (Pomel) IljinAmaranthaceaeWholeAgainst poisonous reptile bites such as scorpions, snakes and vipers as well as the treatment of digestive tract diseases, injuries, skin inflammations and diabetes.[55]
36Heliotropium arbainense Fres.BoraginaceaeWholeLower blood pressure and antimicrobial[57]
37Heliotropium curassavicum L.BoraginaceaeWholeAntimicrobial[57]
38Heliotropium ramosissimum (Lehm.) Sieber ex DC.BoraginaceaeWholeAntimicrobial[55]
39Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.ConvolvulaceaeWholeDiabetes, hypertension, dysentery, constipation, fatigue, arthritis, rheumatoid diseases, hydrocephaly, meningitis, kidney ailments, and inflammations.[59]
40Jasminum grandiflorum L.OleaceaeWholeWounds, skin diseases, ulcers of the oral cavity, gingivitis, headache, erectile dysfunction and eye diseases[57]
41Lantana camara L.VerbenaceaeWholeAntipyretic, antimicrobial and antimutagenic[48]
42Launaea intybacea (Jacq.) BeauverdAsteraceaeWholeAgainst jaundice, hepatomegaly, dyspepsia, skin disease, dry cough and galactoriya[55]
43Lawsonia inermis L.LythraceaeWholeAntifungal[57]
44Lycium shawii Roem. & Schult.SolanaceaeWholeAntimicrobial[59]
45Maerua crassifolia Forssk.CapparaceaeLeavestoothache and intestinal diseases[55]
46Maerua oblongifolia Forssk. (A. Rich.)CapparaceaeWholeHypocholesterolemic[57]
47Malva parviflora L.MalvaceaeLeaves, RootsLaxative and promotes hair growth, remove dandruff, coughs, swellings, ulcers in the bladder[60]
48Maytenus somalensis (Loes.) CelastraceaeWholeAnti-inflammatory and analgesic[57]
49Mimosa mellifera M. Vahl.FabaceaeleavesAnticancer[60]
50Momordica balsamina L.CucurbitaceaeWholeAntimicrobial, eye wash to treat eye pains, Promote fetal growth, Baby fever[55]
51Morettia parviflora Boiss.BrassicaceaeWholeAntimicrobial[59]
52Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) FioriMoringaceaeSeedsAntinflamtory Analgesic, Abdominal pain, Burns, Constipation, Febrifuge, Laxative and Headache[57]
53Nerium oleander L.ApocynaceaeLeaves, RootsUsed in skin diseases[49]
54Ochradenus baccatus DelileResedaceaeWholeBack pain, fistula, general tonic[43]
55Ocimum basilicum L.LamiaceaeLeavesTreatment of cough, fever, ringworms, internal piles, diarrhea and kidney disorders[50]
56Cynanchum radians (Forssk.) Lam.AsclepiadaceaeStemsDiuretic[57]
57Oryza sativa L.PoaceaeWholeEye infection, treatment of burns[55]
58Panicum turgidum Forssk.PoaceaeWholeEye infection[60]
59Portulaca oleracea L.PoaceaeLeavesEpilepsy[43]
60Portulaca oleracea L.PortulacaceaeWholeAnti-inflammation[57]
61Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.FabaceaeWholeAntiprotozoal[57]
62Pulicaria jaubertii E.Gamal-EldinAsteraceaeWholeAntimicrobial activity[59]
63Pulicaria vulgaris Gaertn.AsteraceaeWholeAntimicrobial activity[57]
64Rhazya stricta Decne.ApocynaceaeLeavesTo treat diseases such as tumors, intestinal pain, and Alzheimer’s, in addition to using it as an anti-insomnia, pain reliever, aphrodisiac, and other health problems, rheumatism and Allergy[51]
65Ricinus communis L.EuphorbiaceaeWholeTreatment of scrofulous sores, boils and rheumatic swellings[55]
66Ruta chalepensis L.RutaceaeStem, LeavesScarlet fever, headaches, heart conditions and measles[43]
67Salvadora persica L.SalvadoraceaeStem, LeavesMouth disinfectant and toothpick, The leaves of the arak tree are good laxatives for the intestine and treat constipation, reduce joint pain and rheumatism.[57]
68Senna italica Mill.FabaceaeLeaves, pods, seedsFor elephantiasis and eye diseases and as purgative[59]
69Sisymbrium irio L.BrassicaceaeSeeds, leaves, flowersRelieve cold, treat coughs and chest congestion and fever.[57]
70Solanum coagulans Forssk.SolanaceaeRoots, Seeds.For stomachache, treat coughs.[43]
71Solanum incanum L.SolanaceaeLeaves, Roots, Fruits.Antimicrobial, treated include a sore throat, angina, stomach-ache, colic, headache, painful menstruation, liver pain and pain caused by onchocerciasis, pleurisy, pneumonia and rheumatism.[57]
72Solanum villosum Mill.SolanaceaeUnripe fruits., Leaves.Squeezed on babies’ gums to ease pain during teething. The leaves are used in the treatment of stomachache.[43]
73Sonchus oleraceus L.AsteraceaeLeaves, flowers, RootsPromotes menstruation and to treat diarrhea. The latex in the sap is used in the treatment of opium addiction, warts and cancer. The gum has been used as a cure for the opium habit.[57]
74Sorghum bicolor (L.) MoenchPoaceaeRootsPrimary care of anemia, cancer, and a variety of infectious diseases, including viral diseases.[59]
75Suaeda vermiculata Forssk. ex J.F.Gmel.AmaranthaceaeWholeCardiac stimulation[57]
76Tamarix aphylla (L.) H.Karst.TamaricaceaeLeaves, RootsWound infection and Stomachache, bark is used for treating eczema and other skin diseases.[60]
77Tephrosia nubica (Boiss.) BakerFabaceaeWholelower blood pressure and cardiac stimulation[59]
78Trianthema portulacastrum L.AizoaceaeRoots, LeavesUsing to relieve obstructions of the liver, and to relieve asthma and amenorrhea. They are used in the treatment of oedema, jaundice, strangury and dropsy. [57]
79Typha domingensis Pers.TyphaceaeRoots, Leaves, SeedsThe leaves are analgesic, antioxidant, diuretic. The leaves have shown significant nootropic activity and have potential for use in the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease.[56]
80Withania somnifera (L.) DunalSolanaceaeWholeUsed in rheumatic complaints, dyspepsia, loss of appetite, cough and dropsy. Used in ulcers, used for toning up the uterus of women for habitual miscarriage[57]
81Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf.RhamnaceaeWholeA powder made from the charred thorns is used as an antidote to snake bites. The roots are used to treat headaches. The boiled leaves are applied to various surface wounds.[52]
82Tetraena simplex (L.) Beier & ThulinZygophyllaceaeLeaves, FruitsAn infusion of the leaves acts as a skin cleanser. It is used as an anti-inflammatory.[59]
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Qari, S.H.; Alrefaei, A.F.; Filfilan, W.; Qumsani, A. Exploration of the Medicinal Flora of the Aljumum Region in Saudi Arabia. Appl. Sci. 2021, 11, 7620. https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11167620

AMA Style

Qari SH, Alrefaei AF, Filfilan W, Qumsani A. Exploration of the Medicinal Flora of the Aljumum Region in Saudi Arabia. Applied Sciences. 2021; 11(16):7620. https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11167620

Chicago/Turabian Style

Qari, Sameer H., Abdulmajeed F. Alrefaei, Wessam Filfilan, and Alaa Qumsani. 2021. "Exploration of the Medicinal Flora of the Aljumum Region in Saudi Arabia" Applied Sciences 11, no. 16: 7620. https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/app11167620

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop