Medicinal Plants used for the Prevention Purposes during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Morocco

Abstract

COVID-19 was first reported in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, and has since spread extensively in worldwide. The World Health Organization recognized this disease as a pandemic on 11 March 2020. During this pandemic, Moroccan population used several medicinal plants for the prevention purposes. The current work focuses on the study of the most medicinal plants used during this pandemic in Morocco. In early March 2020, preliminary information was obtained through interviews with herbalists. In response to the progression of the Covid-19 epidemic, Moroccan's state of health emergency came into effect 20 March 2020. For this reason, survey data was collected with a Google Form. The participants were selected because of their knowledge of the use of medicinal plants. During this study, we identified a total of 23 medicinal plant species belonging to 11 botanical families used during the Covid-19 pandemic. The most important families were that of the Lamiaceae, Cupressaceae and Zingiberaceae. The most used plants were Allium Sativum, Olea europaea, Allium cepa, Zingiber officinale, Thymus maroccanus, Eucalyptus globules, Foeniculum vulgare, Curcuma xanthorrhiza, Phoenix dactylifera, Rosmarinus off icinalis, Thymus satureioides, Mentha pulegium and Pimpinella anisum. Information on the biological effects and on the most abundant secondary metabolites in the 23 plants was given. According to several studies the majority of these plants are used to treat many respiratory diseases causing symptoms and signs similar to coronavirus symptoms. These plants have innumerable benefits because of the diversity of the secondary metabolites which they contain. The majority of these compounds, especially essential oils, are well known for their positive biological effects on respiratory functions. But some plants may contain toxic substances which can cause various overdose intoxications and disorders. This work can be exploited in scientific researches in the field of pharmacology, phytochemistry and biochemistry.

Full text

JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL SCIENCES AND APPLIED
BIOTECHNOLOGY
An International Open Access, Peer Reviewed Research Journal
ISSN: 2665-8488
2020, Vol. 2, Issue (1)
Pages: 4-11
(* )Corresponding author.
Tel.: +212 6 53 25 43 63
E-mail address:departementbiologiefssm@hotmail.com
Medicinal plants used for the prevention purposes during the covid-19 pandemic in
Morocco
Abderrazak EL ALAMIab*, Abderrazzak FATTAHc, Abderrahman CHAITa
aLaboratory of Pharmacology, Neurobiology, Anthropobiology and Environment, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad
University, Marrakech, Morocco.
bAcademy of Education and Training of Beni Mellal-Khenifra, Ministry of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher
Education and Scientific Research of Morocco.
cLaboratory of Bio-Geosciences and Materials Engineering, Higher Normal School, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco.
ARTICLE INFO
Received May1st, 2020
Received in revised form May 30th, 2020
Accepted May 31st, 2020
ABSTRACT
COVID-19 was first reported in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, and has since spread
extensively in worldwide. The World Health Organization recognized this
disease as a pandemic on 11 March 2020. During this pandemic, Moroccan
population used several medicinal plants for the prevention purposes. The
current work focuses on the study of the most medicinal plants used during this
pandemic in Morocco. In early March 2020, preliminary information was
obtained through interviews with herbalists. In response to the progression of the
Covid-19 epidemic, Moroccan's state of health emergency came into effect 20
March 2020. For this reason, survey data was collected with a Google Form. The
participants were selected because of their knowledge of the use of medicinal
plants. During this study, we identified a total of 23 medicinal plant species
belonging to 11 botanical families used during the Covid-19 pandemic. The most
important families were that of the Lamiaceae, Cupressaceae and Zingiberaceae.
The most used plants were Allium Sativum, Olea europaea, Allium cepa,
Zingiber officinale, Thymus maroccanus, Eucalyptus globules, Foeniculum
vulgare, Curcuma xanthorrhiza, Phoenix dactylifera, Rosmarinus officinalis,
Thymus satureioides, Mentha pulegium and Pimpinella anisum. Information on
the biological effects and on the most abundant secondary metabolites in the 23
plants was given. According to several studies the majority of these plants are
used to treat many respiratory diseases causing symptoms and signs similar to
coronavirus symptoms. These plants have innumerable benefits because of the
diversity of the secondary metabolites which they contain. The majority of these
compounds, especially essential oils, are well known for their positive biological
effects on respiratory functions. But some plants may contain toxic substances
which can cause various overdose intoxications and disorders. This work can be
exploited in scientific researches in the field of pharmacology, phytochemistry
and biochemistry.
© 2020 EST-Khenifra, University of Sultan Moulay Slimane. All rights reserved.
Keywords:
Covid-19 epidemic,
Herbal medicine,
Ethnobotanical survey,
Morocco.
1. Introduction:
Morocco has one of the oldest and richest traditions on herbal medicine and local people possess invaluable knowledge of
medicinal plants. The researchers counted more than 600 plants used in herbal medicine in this North African country [1].
Biotechnology

Journal of Analytical Sciences and Applied Biotechnology El Alami et al.
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In addition, more than 60 plants are commonly used to treat and prevent respiratory diseases [1-7]. The Coronavirus
disease (COVID-19) is caused by the coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The outbreak was identified in Wuhan, China, on 1
December 2019 [8]. The World Health Organization recognized this disease as a pandemic on 11 March 2020. Today, 27
May 2020 (08:00 CEST), the World Health Organization reported 5 459 061 confirmed cases in 216 countries, areas or
territories, resulting 346 232 confirmed deaths [9]. In this date, Morocco has confirmed 7 577 cases of the virus, including
202 deaths and 4 881 recoveries. This pandemic has caused severe global socioeconomic disruption. The main modes of
the transmission of this disease are the small droplets produced during coughing, sneezing, or talking. At present, the
virus has no vaccine and therefore humans must prevent this pandemic by hygienic measures and strengthening the
immune system. Clinical characteristics of COVID‐19 patients have similar characteristics of influenza virus [10].
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Moroccan population used traditional herbal medicines to prevent this disease.
Although we have no facts about the biological effects on the coronavirus, these plants have innumerable benefits because
of the diversity of the secondary metabolites which they contain. These plants are rich in bioactive substances. The
majority of these compounds, especially essential oils, are well known for their positive biological effects on respiratory
and circulatory functions. The current work focuses on the study of medicinal plants used for the prevention purposes
during the Covid-19 in Morocco.
2. Material and methods:
This study on medicinal plants used for the prevention purposes during the Covid-19 was conducted in March-May 2020
in Morocco. In early March 2020, preliminary information was obtained through interviews with six herbalists living in
the region of Beni Mellal-Khenifra. The Mountain ecosystems of this region have a rich and varied biological diversity.
In addition, this region is a rich source of medicinal plants. This richness and diversity of medicinal flora is accompanied
by the acquisition of important knowledge on the treatment of diseases by plants. We asked the herbalists about the used
part of each plant and the preparation and use methods. According to information from herbalists, we identified 15 plants
frequently used during this pandemic.
In response to the progression of the Covid-19 epidemic, Moroccan's state of health emergency came into effect 20 March
2020. For this reason, survey data was collected with a Google Form. The participants were selected because of their
knowledge of the use of medicinal plants. We already conducted surveys with some people among them during several
previous studies [7,11-12] and we have their contact details, including phone number and/or Email. About 100 people
were invited to participle in this survey, out of which 55 filled the form. Respondents consist of 59.2% men and 40.2%
women. Adults between the ages of 30 and 44 years old are over-represented in this survey sample (65.3%), while young
adults ages 18-29 years old and adults ages 45-59 years old are represented, respectively, by 12.2% and 22.4%. A total of
40 percent of the survey respondents live in the region of Casablanca-Settat, 37.8% in Beni Mellal-Khenifra, 11.1% in
Marrakech-Safi, 4.4% in Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, 2.2% in Darâa-Tafilalet, Souss-Massa and in Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra.
We have invited respondents to fill the questionnaire in Google form by sending them its link. We asked Yes/No
questions about the use the 15 medicinal plants identified from the interviews with herbalists. In each question, we show a
colour picture, scientific and common names of each plant. At the end of the questionnaire, we asked the respondents to
give the names of the other plants used during this pandemic. Questions were administered in the Arabic and English
languages.
3. Discussion:
During this study, we identified a total of 23 medicinal plant species belonging to 11 botanical families used during the
Covid-19. The most important family is that of the Lamiaceae represented by seven species (Thymus maroccanus,
Thymus satureioides, Mentha suaveolens, Mentha suaveolens, Rosmarinus officinalis, Lavandula dentate and Lavandula
dentate), followed by the Cupressaceae family with three species (Tetraclinis articulate, Juniperus phoenicea and
Juniperus oxycedrus) and the Zingiberaceae family (Zingiber officinale, Alpinia officinarum and Curcuma xanthorrhiza).
The Apiaceae family is represented by two species (Pimpinella anisum and Foeniculum vulgare) and the Liliaceae family
is represented by Allium cepa and Allium Sativum. The other six families are only represented by a single species
(Asteraceae: Artemisia herba-alba; Myrtaceae: Eucalyptus globules; Ranunculaceae: Nigella sativa; Oleaceae: Olea
europaea; Arecaceae: Phoenix dactylifera; Brassicaceae: Lepidium sativum). The scientific and common names,
systematic, used part, toxicity and the preparation and use modes of the 23 plants were detailed in our previous studies
[7,13]. Based on the information from interviews with herbalists and from previous studies on medicinal plants in
Morocco [3-5,14,15], we noted that the preparation and the use modes of plants are nearly the same for every plant in
different Moroccan regions. This confirms that knowledge of medicinal plants has been perfected through
experimentation and exchange of information between the Moroccan populations. In general, the infusion or decoction of
areal parts of the Lamiaceae and Asteraceae species, the infusion of seeds of the Apiaceae species, the decoction of
Zingiber officinale and Alpinia officinarum rhizomes, and the powder obtained by drying young twigs of the

Journal of Analytical Sciences and Applied
Biotechnology
Cupressaceae specie s
are given orally. The bulb of the Liliaceae species, fruits of
sativum and of Nigella sativa
, the rhizome powder of
orally. Hot infusion of
Eucalyptus globulus
The use frequencies of the main
medicinal plants (use frequency > 10%)
Figure 1. The most used plants (use frequency > 40%) were
cepa (66.7%), Zingiber officinale
(66%),
vulgare (54.3%), Curcuma xanthorrhiza
satureioides (41.9%), Mentha pulegium
(41.3%)
Figure 1:
Use frequencies of the main medicinal plants used for
during the Covid
The use frequencies of the other plants ranged between 10.3% and 38.6% (Fig
biological
effects of the medicinal plants on the coronavirus,
diversity of the secondary metabolites which they contain.
variety of diseases,
including respiratory disorders
sleep apnea, bronchitis, bronchiolitis,
rhinitis, pneumonia, flu, colds, sinusitis, laryngitis and p
Biotechnology
6
are given orally. The bulb of the Liliaceae species, fruits of Phoenix dactylifera
, the rhizome powder of
Curcuma xanthorrhiza and
the oil of
Eucalyptus globulus
is used for inhalation.
medicinal plants (use frequency > 10%) used during the
Figure 1. The most used plants (use frequency > 40%) were
Allium Sativum (80.9%),
Olea europaea
(66%),
Thymus maroccanus (59.2%),
Eucalyptus globules
(50%), Phoenix dactylifera (50%),
Rosmarinus officinalis
(41.3%)
and Pimpinella anisum (40%).
Use frequencies of the main medicinal plants used for the prevention purposes
during the Covid
-19 pandemic in Morocco.
The use frequencies of the other plants ranged between 10.3% and 38.6% (Fig
ure 1).
Although we have no facts about the
effects of the medicinal plants on the coronavirus,
these plants have innumerable benefits because of the
diversity of the secondary metabolites which they contain. These plants are frequently used by Moroccans to treat a wide
including respiratory disorders
such as lung, throat and respiratory tract cancers, allergies, asthma,
rhinitis, pneumonia, flu, colds, sinusitis, laryngitis and p
El Alami et al.
Phoenix dactylifera
, seeds of Lepidium
the oil of
Olea europaea are taken also
used during the
Covid-19 are shown in the
Olea europaea
(72.7%), Allium
Eucalyptus globules
(56.5%), Foeniculum
Rosmarinus officinalis
(47.9%), Thymus
the prevention purposes
Although we have no facts about the
these plants have innumerable benefits because of the
These plants are frequently used by Moroccans to treat a wide
such as lung, throat and respiratory tract cancers, allergies, asthma,
rhinitis, pneumonia, flu, colds, sinusitis, laryngitis and p
haryngitis. According to

Journal of Analytical Sciences and Applied Biotechnology El Alami et al.
7
several studies the majority of these plants are used to treat many respiratory diseases causing symptoms and signs similar
to coronavirus symptoms [2-7,14,15].These plants contain many active compounds responsible for various biological
effects. The majority of these compounds, especially essential oils, are well known for their positive biological effects on
respiratory and circulatory functions.
Information on the biological effects and on the most abundant secondary metabolites in the major plants used for the
prevention purposes during the Covid-19 pandemic were given in the table 1. The majority of these plants play an
important role in nutrition and human health. They are rich in sugars, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids,
enzymes, etc. These plants contain a wide variety of bioactive compounds including essential oils, flavonoids,
organosulfur compounds, glycosides, secoiridoid, tannin, mucus, lignans, coumarins, alkaloids, aromatic constituents,
phenolic lipids, carotenoids, steroids and many other compounds (Table 1). The medicinal plants of this mixture include
also a very large number of essential oils including α-Pinene, Thymol, Eucalyptol, β-Pinene, γ-Terpinene, Sabinene,
trans-Anethole, Caryophyllene, Limonene, Linalool, Myrcene, Disulfide, Trisulfide, Gingerol, Myrcene, Camphor,
Camphene, Carvacrol, Myrtenol, Verbenone, etc. (Table1). This variety of bioactive compounds is responsible for many
biological effects such as antiinflammatory, antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiseptic, antitumor,
anticancer, antiallergic, antiatherogenic and analgesic activities (Table 1).
But these plants may contain toxic substances which can cause various overdose intoxications and disorders. The majority
of medicinal plants used for prevention purposes during the Covid-19 pandemic may contain toxic substances such as
phenols, colchicine, carvone, anisatin, neoanisatin, anethole, sesquiterpene lactones, cyanogenic glycosides, myristicin,
safrole, Coumarin, Cinnamaldehyde, Elemicine and Nigelline which in overdose can cause a wide variety of disorders
and intoxications [14-20].
Table 1: The most abundant secondary metabolites including essential oils and the main biological activities of medicinal
plants used for the prevention purposes during the Covid-19 pandemic in Morocco.
Scientific names Bioactive compounds;
Essential oils Biological activities
Allium Sativum
Flavonoids, organosulfur compounds and saponins
[21]; essential oils with the major compounds are
diallyl‐Trisulfide and diallyl‐Disulfide [22].
Rich in nutrients that can contribute to the protection
and preservation of human health and it has
antioxidant, antibacterial, antiinflammatory and
anticancer activities [21].
Olea europaea
Glycosides, secoiridoid, flavonoids and poly-
unsaturated fatty acids [23]; several biophenolic
compounds [24].
Many interesting biological properties
[24]
;
antioxidant, antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic
and cardioprotective effects [23].
Allium cepa
Flavonoids, organosulfur compounds and saponins
[21]; over twenty compounds were identified in its
essential oils [22].
Antioxidant, antibacterial, antiinflammatory,
antiproliferative and anticancer activities [21,25].
Zingiberofficinale
Paradols, Dihydroparadols, Gingerols, Gingerdiols,
acetyl derivatives of Gingerols, Shogaols, 3-
Dihydroshogaols, mono- and diacetyl derivatives of
Gingerdiols, 1-Dehydrogingerdiones,
Diarylheptanoids, and Methyl ether derivatives of
some of these compounds [26,27].
Antiinflammatory and antimicrobial properties [26];
antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory,
hepatoprotective, antimicrobial,
hypocholesterolemic, hypolipidemic and
anticancereffects [27].
Thymus maroccanus
Carvacrol, p-Cymene, α-Pinene, γ-Terpinene, β-
Caryophyllene, Limonene, Linalool and Myrcene
[28]; Tricyclene , α-Thujene, α-Pinene, Camphene,,
Myrcene, α-Phellandrene, α-Terpinene, p-Cymene,
Limonene, γ-Terpinene, cis-Sabinen hydrate,
Linalool and Borneol Terpinen-4-ol [29]
Antimicrobialactivity, antioxidant and antimicrobial
activities [28,29].
Eucalyptus globulus
Eucalyptol, α-Pinene, α-Terpineol acetate,
Alloaromadendrene, β-Pinene, Sabinene, Limonene,
Isoledene, α-Gurjunene and Aromadendrene [30].
Antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral,
antiinflammatory, antinociceptive, analgesic,
antioxidant and antidiabetic activities [31].
Foeniculum vulgare
Saponins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, sterols,
triterpenes, coumarins, proteins, volatile oils, trace
elements and vitamins [32]; The dominant
constituent in essential oils is trans-Anethole [33]; it
contains also Limonene, Fenchone, Methyl chavicol,
Myrcene and α-Pinene [34].
Reproductive, urinary, antidiabetic, antioxidant,
anticancer, antimicrobial, cardiovascular,
immunological, dermatological and many other
pharmacological effects [32].
Curcuma
zanthorrhiza
Xanthorrhizol, α -Curcumene, Germacrone,
Curcumin and Zederone [35].
Antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral,
antiinflammatory, anticancerous, antiproliferative,
hypocholesterolemic, antidiabetic, antihepatotoxic,
antidiarrheal and hypotensive activities [35].
Phoenix dactylifera Polyphenols compounds including phenolic acids,
flavonoids, lignans, and carotenoids [36].
Antioxidant, antiinflammatory and antitumor
activities and it provide alternative therapy in
various diseases [37].

Journal of Analytical Sciences and Applied Biotechnology El Alami et al.
8
Rosmarinus
officinalis
Cineole, Camphor, α-Pinene, Camphene, β-Pineno,
Borneol, Bornyl acetate and Caryophyllene [38,39].
Antioxidant activity, inhibition of mucosal injury
and gastric ulcer [38,39].
Thymus satureioides Borneol and Thymol
[40,41]
. Antibacterial and antioxidant activities
[40,41]
.
Mentha pulegium
Pulegone, Piperitone, p-Menthane-1,2,3-triol,
Elemenene, Guaiene, Carvacrol acetate and Phenyl
ethyl alcohol [42].
Antioxidant and antimicrobial effects [42].
Pimpinella anisum
The dominant constituent in its essential oils is trans-
Anethole [33], it contain also many other
constituents such as cis-Dihydrocarvone, Methyl
chavicol, α-Himachalene, γ-Himachalene, β-
Himachalene and trans-Pseudoisoeugenyl 2-
Methylbutyrate [34].
Antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidant effects
[33,34].
Artemisia herba-
alba
Sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids, phenolic
compounds and waxes; essential oils with the major
compounds are α-and ß-Thujones, Camphor, Sabinyl
acetate, Germacrene D, α-Eudesmol, Caryophyllene
acetate, 1,8-Cineole, p-Cymene, Davanone,
Camphene, Borneol, Davana ether and
Chrysanthenone [43].
Antihelminthic, antimalaria, antioxidant, anti-
venom, nematicidal, antibacterial, antispasmodic,
antileishmanial, hypoglycaemic and cytotoxicity
activities [43].
Nigella sativa Caryophyllene, Thymoquinone, 1,4-Cyclohexadiene,
Longifolene and Carvacrol [44].
Physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity and
thermal behaviour [44].
Lavandula dentata
Polyphenols and flavonoid
[45]
; essential oils with
the major compounds are Eucalyptol, Fenchone,
Linalool, Mirtenol, Citronelol, Camphor, Sabinene,
ß-Caryophyllene, α –bisabolene, α-selinene, ß-
Caryophyllene oxide and p-Cymene [46].
Antimicrobial, antioxidant and radical scavenging
activities [45]; antibacterial, antimicrobial,
antispasmodic antifungal and antioxidant activities
[47].
Mentha suaveolens
Piperitenoneoxyde, trans-Caryophyllene,
Germacrene D, terpinen-4-ol, Nepetalactone, p-
Cymen-8-ol and E-hydrate Sabinene [48].
Cytotoxic, antimicrobial, antioxidant,
antiinflammatory, hypotensive, hepatoprotective and
antifungal activities [49].
Lavandula stoechas
Linalool, Linalyl acetate , Lavandulyl acetate, α -
Terpineol, Terpinene-4-ol , Lavandulol and ß-
Ocimene [50].
Antifungal effect [50]; antibacterial, antimicrobial
and cytotoxic activities [51].
Alpinia officinarum
Eucalyptol, α-Terpineol, γ-Muurolene, α-Farnesene,
Caryophyllene, α-Bergamotene and γ-Gurjunene
[52].
Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities [52].
Lepidium sativum
Glucotropaeoline, Sinapine, Kaempferol di-hexose
rhamnose, Sinapoyl di-glucose, Quercetin di-hexose
rhamnose, Sinapoyl malate, and many other
substances [53].
Antioxidant, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal,
anticancer and antiinflammatory effects [54].
Tetraclinisarticulata
Bornyl acetate, Camphor, a-Pinene, Tricyclene,
Limonene, Camphene hydrate, Myrtenol, Verbenone,
Carvone [55].
Antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities [56].
Juniperusphoenicea
α-Pinene, 3-Carene, Myrcene, Fenchone, Camphene,
E-β-Caryophelene, Germacrene D, β-Cadinene, β-
Pinene, Limonene and Terpinolene [57,58].
Antioxidant activity [56]; hepatoprotective activity
[59].
Juniperusoxycedrus α-Pinene, Limonene, α-Phellandrene, 14-hyd rox y-
9-epi -E-Caryophyllene and Germacrene D [58].
High antioxydant potential
[56]
; keratolytics,
antipruritics and antimicrobial activities in vitro
[60]; antinociceptives and antiinflammatory effects
[61].
4. Conclusion
Medicinal plants have been used by the Moroccan population from ancient times and they have an important role in
traditional healing practices. Today herbal medicine is practiced in all parts of Morocco and it is still the primary
healthcare system for a large fraction of the population, especially in rural communities. During this study, we identified a
total of 23 medicinal plant species belonging to 11 botanical families used during the pandemic of Covid-19. The results
of this survey and the information collected on the most abundant secondary metabolites in the major plants used for
prevention purposes during this pandemic confirm that these plants contain bioactive substances that are known in
modern medicine for their biological activities. Although we have no facts about the biological effects on coronavirus,
these plants have innumerable benefits because of the diversity of the secondary metabolites which they contain. These
plants are rich in bioactive substances. The majority of these compounds, especially essential oils, are well known for
their positive biological effects on respiratory and circulatory functions. Medicinal plant knowledge is generally
transmitted orally through a population. This knowledge has been perfected through experimentation and exchange of
information on medicinal plants with other populations. This will help to keep the local people's knowledge of the

Journal of Analytical Sciences and Applied Biotechnology El Alami et al.
9
traditional medicine practices which is disappearing. This work can also be exploited in scientific researches in the field
of pharmacology, phytochemistry and biochemistry.
Acknowledgements
We are very grateful to vendors of medicinal plants Salha Achaba, Lalla Aicha, Si Lhoucine and Haj M’bark (Souk Sebt
region), Si Omar and Si Mohammed (Beni Mellal region) for their help to carry out this work. We are also thankful to the
respondents participating in the surveys.
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