Middle Eastern Plant Extracts: An Alternative to Modern Medicine Problems

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Ethnobotany
• Medicinal Chemistry

Background:

• Middle Eastern countries possess diverse physiographic regions beyond deserts, supporting a variety of plant life.
• Plants such as Phoenix dactylifera, Scrophularia striata, and Opuntia ficus-indica are native to the region.
• These plants demonstrate significant bioactivities, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and consolidate information on the bioactivities of Middle Eastern plant extracts.
• To identify bioactive compounds within these plants for potential therapeutic applications.
• To address the limited existing reviews on this topic and enhance understanding of their medicinal value.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of scientific publications on Middle Eastern flora and their bioactivities.
• Analysis of reported phytochemical constituents and their associated medicinal properties.
• Synthesis of information regarding antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer characteristics.

Main Results:

• Identified diverse plant species from the Middle East with documented therapeutic potential.
• Highlighted significant antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi.
• Confirmed anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties relevant for clinical use.

Conclusions:

• Middle Eastern plants represent a valuable, underexplored resource for novel therapeutic agents.
• Further research can leverage these plant-derived compounds to combat antimicrobial resistance and develop alternative cancer treatments.
• This review underscores the crucial role of regional flora in advancing modern medicine.