Saadia Belmalha

Calendula arvensis L. ''field marigold, " is a medicinal plant commonly used in phytotherapy for its anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-oxidant properties. The present study is part of the valorization approach of medicinal natural resources through an ethnobotanical, phytochemical, and biological study of Calendula arvensis L. from the Meknes region, Morocco, using the flowers and leaves of the plants. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted among herbalists and villagers, and we detected and studied the species of the Calendula genus present in this region, as well as the influence of altitude on their density. Phytochemical screening was performed to identify the main chemical classes present in the extracts. Moreover, the effect of Calendula arvensis L. extracts on the causal agent of fire blight, "Erwinia amylovora.” The results showed that the most common species was C. arvensis, which grew in abundance between 499 and 689 m. Phytochemical screening showed that field marigold is rich in secondary compounds, particularly polyphenols, which differ according to the extract type and plant part; the flowers are richer in carotenoids, terpenes, and condensed tannins, while the leaves are rich in saponosides. GC-MS analysis showed that 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol was the dominant compound in the ethanolic (74.92%) and methanolic (19.60%) extracts. The extracts had low in vitro antibacterial activity (<8 mm) against Erwinia amylovora, the causal agent of fire blight. Future studies should focus on bioassay-guided fractionation and purification to concentrate the active constituents and potentially enhance their antibacterial efficacy.

The protection of stored products in Morocco still relies heavily on synthetic insecticides, posing risks to human health and the environment and contributing to the emergence of resistance to these chemicals. This study explored the insecticidal potential of vegetable oils extracted from the seeds of three Cannabis sativa L. varieties (Beldia (Bld), Kherdala (Krd) and Critical (Crt) against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) , a major pest of stored grains. The chemical composition of the oils was characterised using FTIR and GC-MS, revealing a predominance of fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid (38.97-50.11 %) and oleic acid (10.82–27.26 %). Biological tests showed significant insecticidal activity by contact, with cumulative mortality dependent on dose and exposure time. The Krd variety exhibited the highest toxicity (LD50 = 3.75 mL kg-1), followed by Bld (5.61 mL kg-1) and Crt (7.39 mL kg-1). Furthermore, oils from the Bld and Crt varieties demonstrated strong repellent properties, reaching 91.67 % and 68 %, respectively, at 0.63 µL/cm², while Krd showed weak repellency. Molecular docking analyses suggest that certain major fatty acids, particularly linoleic and oleic acids, interact strongly with acetylcholinesterase, a classic target enzyme for insecticides, reinforcing the hypothesis of their active role in the observed insecticidal effects. These results highlight the potential of C. sativa seed oils as effective and safe bioinsecticides, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical insecticides for the post-harvest protection of cereals in Morocco.

Reducing reliance on synthetic herbicides is essential to protect health, preserve ecosystems and limit resistant weeds. A two-season field experiment in Meknes, Morocco, assessed the effects of plane tree leaves, oat straw and black plastic mulches on faba bean growth, weed control and diversity. Weed infestation was highest in unweeded plots. All mulches reduced weed density and biomass, with control rates of 80.37%, 69.51% and 84.50%, respectively. Yields rose by 43.46% with plane leaves, 41.53% with oat straw and 50.84% with black plastic. Mulching lowered species number and the Margalef index at flowering. The Shannon–Wiener index remained unchanged at maturity, indicating no loss of overall diversity. Although black plastic was most effective, organic mulches gave similar results. Given the risk of soil microplastic contamination, plant-based options offer a safer, more sustainable alternative. Mulching is a practical and eco-friendly method for weed control and yield improvement in faba bean cultivation.

This study aims to provide new data on the chemical composition and biological properties of Corrigiola telephiifolia, demonstrating the influence of different extraction solvents and geographic locations on these properties. It presents novel findings on the phytochemical contents, antioxidant...

Morocco is a significant botanical reservoir that boasts a wealth of raw materials with promising applications across various industrial sectors, notably in pharmaceuticals and food. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of essential oils (EOs) derived from Laurus nobilis L. leaves originating from the Tanger (EOT) and Meknes (EOM) regions in combating Callosobruchus maculatus infection. The chemical compositions of these oils were examined using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The biological activity of the EOs was evaluated via repulsion and fumigation tests against C. maculatus at varying concentrations. FTIR analysis revealed distinct vibrational bands indicative of various chemical compounds. GC-MS analysis was used to delineate the major chemical constituents of the EOs. The three predominant compounds in the EOT were 1,8-cineole (37.64%), linalool (16.40%), and adamantane (12.00%), whereas 1,8-cineole (47.84%), toluene (17.60%), and α-phellandrene (8.44%) were the most abundant in the EOM. Notably, the EOs exhibited significant repellent activity against C. maculatus, with repulsion percentages ranging from 51.11 to 90.00% in Tanger and 67.78 to 93.33% in Meknes. Mortality rates varied from 0 to 100% depending on the treatment. However, the mean concentrations showed mortality rates ranging from 29.44 to 65.56% for the EOT and from 21.11 to 67.78% for the EOM, with LD50 values of 11.96 μL/L and 5.22 μL/L. Docking studies revealed that 1,8-cineole had the highest binding affinity for the active site of acetylcholinesterase, thus confirming its toxic activity against C. maculatus. The findings of this study highlight the ability of EOs extracted from L. nobilis in the Moroccan regions of Tanger and Meknes to act as effective insecticides and repellents against C. maculatus, thereby highlighting avenues for further exploration of pest management and agricultural practices.

Context: For centuries, herbal remedies have been widely used to alleviate and prevent oral pathologies. Aims: To compare the herbalists’ knowledge with that of the local population, their prevalence of the use of modern non-pharmacological medicine, and investigate the traditional knowledge of the use of medicinal and aromatic plants for oral health in Meknes, Morocco. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire. Along with medicinal plants, other remedies such as alum, salt, and vinegar have also been investigated. Statistical calculations by use value, relative frequency of citation, family use value, informant consensus factor, and fidelity level were performed and compared between the two groups. Results: Numerous medicinal plant species were identified for oral health, namely Syzygium aromaticum, Juglans regia, and Ammi visnaga. Most participants reported using these plants to treat and prevent dental caries, gingivitis, and toothache. Herbalists were found to have a greater knowledge of plants and their uses than the general population. However, a significant proportion of participants, including herbalists, opted for modern medicine or dental care and extraction as treatments of choice, combined or not with traditional treatments. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the rich understanding of medicinal plants for oral health, underscoring herbalists' role as key informants on traditional plant usage for various oral diseases. The populace's increasing reliance on modern dental treatments highlights the limitations of natural remedies for severe oral conditions. Nonetheless, integrating these plants alongside modern dentistry can optimize oral health prevention strategies.

Corrigiola telephiifolia is an aromatic and medicinal herb whose constituents hold worldwide interest for its various ethnopharmacological properties in the pharmaceutical field. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the geographical distribution, phytochemical contents, traditional...

In this study, we aimed to compare the phytochemical compounds (polyphenols and flavonoids), antioxidant activity, functional groups present in the compounds (FTIR), and anti-microbial effects, in aqueous and methanol extracts obtained from flowers of commercial Hypericum perforatum and native...