Exploring ethnobotanical remedies: Medicinal plants for snakebite envenoming treatments in the Oued Righ region (Northern Algerian Sahara)

Abstract

Snakebites present a significant health risk in the Sahara, where access to modern medical facilities is limited, leading local populations to rely on traditional remedies. The medicinal plants used by indigenous communities in the Oued Righ region of the Northern Algerian Sahara are vital for treating envenomation from snakebites. This study provides an ethnobotanical inventory of medicinal plants used by local communities in the Oued Righ region for snakebite treatment and evaluates their therapeutic potential. Ethnobotanical data were collected through structured surveys of 200 local residents, herbalists, and healers. Data were analyzed using ethnobotanical indices, including relative citation frequency (RFC), use value (UV), and family importance value (FIV). A total of 41 plant species from 23 families were identified, and their uses for snake envenomation were documented. The most frequently used plants were Citrullus colocynthis (14.95%) and Nigella sativa (10.74%), with Asteraceae being the most represented family. The remedies are predominantly prepared using aerial parts and seeds in various forms, such as poultices and decoctions. The ethnobotanical indices highlight the cultural importance and pharmacological potential of these plants. This study documents traditional knowledge on snakebite treatments, creating a foundational database for future pharmacological studies. The identified plant species hold significant potential for developing new antivenom therapies.