This study is the first ethnobotanical survey focusing on the herbal medicines traditionally used by the nomadic community of the Algerian steppe, identifying new medicinal plants and uses from one of the most characteristic indigenous populations in Algeria. Moreover, the study contributes to the understanding of transmission of medicinal plant knowledge in the Mediterranean basin. This work aims to document the phytotherapeutical knowledge and practice of the nomadic community of the Algerian steppe, and compare it with neighbouring sedentary populations and Mediterranean historical texts. Through this, the study strives to evaluate processes of transmission of knowledge among this population, for whom written sources have been largely unavailable. Ethnobotanical surveys were carried out during two years (2015-2017). In total, 73 informants from nomadic populations were interviewed in several steppe regions including areas in the administrative departments of Tiaret, Saida, Naama, Djelfa and M'sila. Structured interviews about medicinal plant knowledge were combined with guided tours with the informants. Prior informed consent was always obtained. The surveys allowed for the collection of sociodemographic data and traditional knowledge about medicinal plants and their uses. Informant Consensus Factor (FIC) was calculated to evaluate agreement among informants. Results were compared to existing literature to evaluate similarities between this nomadic medicinal flora, that of neighbouring communities and historical texts and identify new plant citations and uses. Among Algerian nomadic communities, herbal remedies are used mostly by women and elders, who are often illiterate. We identified 97 taxa of medicinal plants belonging to 42 botanical families, importantly Lamiaceae, Asteraceae and Apiaceae, like in neighbouring communities. The most common plant parts and method of preparation are also shared with neighbouring populations. New uses are described for 25 known medicinal taxa, and nine species with undocumented medicinal uses in recent literature have been reported. However, some of these have been reported in Mediterranean materia medica. In total, 60% of the medicinal plant diversity used by Algerian nomads are well-known plants of the Mediterranean ethnopharmacological heritage. This study highlights the importance of traditional medicine for Algerian nomad communities. This indigenous population has specific knowledge about plants from their steppe environment, but also shares a pool of knowledge with sedentary Algerian populations and Mediterranean people as a whole. Our research shows that a common North African and Mediterranean ethnobotanical heritage exists.

In this study, we investigated in vitro the potential of Trichoderma harzianum to produce bioactive secondary metabolites that can be used as alternatives to synthetic compounds. The study focused on analyzing two extracts of T. harzianum using ethyl acetate and n-butanol solvents with different polarities. The extracts were examined using phytochemical analysis to determine the content of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloids. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis were used to profile volatile organic metabolites (VOCs) present in the extracts. Furthermore, the extracts were tested for their antifungal ability using the poison food technique. For measuring antioxidant activity, the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) test was used. Trichoderma harzianum was shown to have a significantly high content of tannins and alkaloids, with a noticeable difference between the two extracts. GC-MS analysis identified 33 potential compounds with numerous benefits that could be used in agriculture and the medicinal industry. Moreover, strong antifungal activity was identified against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum by 94.44%, Alternaria sp. by 77.04%, and Fusarium solani by 51.48; similarly, the IC₅₀ of antioxidant activity was estimated for ethyl acetate extract by 71.47% and n-butanol extract by 56.01%. This leads to the conclusion that Trichoderma harzianum VOCs play a significant role as an antifungal and antioxidant agent when taking into account the advantageous bioactive chemicals noted in the extracts. However, to our knowledge, this is the first study in Algeria presenting detailed phytochemical analysis and GC-MS profiling of Trichoderma harzianum for two extracts, ethyl acetate and n-butanol.

The increasing concerns over climate changes and environmental impacts of synthetic agrochemicals have led to a growing interest in natural alternatives such as seaweed-based biostimulants. These extracts contain diverse bioactive compounds, including phytohormones, polysaccharides, proteins, polyphenols, and vitamins, which contribute to enhanced plant growth, stress tolerance, and soil health. Seaweed biostimulants have demonstrated their ability to improve germination, growth, and yield under both optimal and stressful conditions. Additionally, seaweed-derived compounds influence microbial communities, promoting beneficial interactions that enhance soil structure and fertility. Their different mode of applications further expands their utility in modern agriculture. Despite their numerous advantages, challenges remain regarding cultivation, large-scale production, and regulatory frameworks. Further research is needed to optimize extraction methods, elucidate mechanisms of action, and explore economic feasibility. This systematic review brings focus to the potential of seaweed-based biostimulants as sustainable agricultural inputs, discussing their chemical composition, mechanisms of action, techniques of extraction, application strategies, challenges and future perspectives for improving crop productivity and resilience.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) has a great beneficial health effect; it has been used in traditional medicine by many cultures. Likewise, the α-amylase inhibitors are potential compounds in the development of drugs for the treatment of diabetes. The beneficial health effects of fenugreek lead us to explore the chemical composition of the seeds and their antioxidant and α-amylase inhibition activities. The flavonoid extraction from fenugreek seeds was achieved with methanol through a Soxhlet apparatus. Then, the flavonoid glycosides were characterized using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis. The antioxidant capacity of fenugreek seed was measured using DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and CUPRAC assays. Finally, the α-amylase inhibition activity was carried out using in vitro and in silico methods. The methanolic extract was found to contain high amounts of total phenolics (154.68 ± 1.50 μg GAE/mg E), flavonoids (37.69 ± 0.73 μg QE/mg E). The highest radical-scavenging ability was recorded for the methanolic extract against DPPH (IC₅₀ = 556.6 ± 9.87 μg/mL), ABTS (IC₅₀ = 593.62 ± 9.35 μg/mL). The ME had the best reducing power according to the CUPRAC (A 0.5 = 451.90 ± 9.07 μg/mL). The results indicate that the methanolic extracts of fenugreek seed best α-amylase inhibition activities IC₅₀ = 653.52 ± 3.24 μg/mL. Twenty-seven flavonoids were detected, and all studied flavonoids selected have good affinity and stabilize very well in the pocket of α-amylase. The interactions between the studied flavonoids with α-amylase were investigated. The flavonoids from fenugreek seed present a good inhibitory effect against α-amylase, which is beneficial for the prevention of diabetes and its complications.