The documentation of ethnobotanical knowledge is useful for biocultural conservation, preserving the diversity of plants, and drug development. The present study was carried out to compile and document the knowledge and uses of plants in Al Baha Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). A total of 81 knowledgeable informants of different sexes, ages, and status levels were randomly selected and interviewed. The majority of the informants (63%) were > 60 years old. The collected data were qualitatively and quantitatively described using different quantitative indices [family importance value (FIV), use value (UV), and informant consensus factor (ICF)]. The fidelity level (FL), rank order priority (ROP), and relative popularity level (RPL) were determined for the plants (42 species) mentioned by at least three informants. A total of 97 plants belonging to 91 genera and 44 families were reported. The most commonly used parts were fruits (30.7%) and leaves (25.4%), whereas the most frequently used modes of preparation were maceration (24.7%) and direct application (23.3%). Most of the cited plants (49.5%) were traditionally used for gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disorders, whereas a few plants (6.2%) were used for the treatment of reproductive disorders. The most ethnobotanically important families were Lamiaceae (FIV = 0.35) and Apiaceae (FIV = 0.33). The highest UV was represented by Zingiber officinale (0.086) followed by Commiphora myrrha and Trigonella foenum-graecum (0.074). The level of agreement among the interviewees was remarkably high (ICF = 0.65–0.93) for plants that had the ability to cure infectious diseases. A low level of agreement (ICF = 0.33–0.48) was observed among the informants towards plants that were used to treat gastrointestinal tract, reproductive, hematological, and central nervous system disorders. There was a total and absolute disagreement (ICF = 0) among the informants regarding the plants that were used to treat renal, endocrine system, oncological/immunological, rheumatic, orthopedic, ear, nose, and throat (ENT), and inflammatory disorders. Six of the plants which were cited by three informants or more had a high healing efficacy (FL = 100) and forty species attained ROP values of 50 or above. Out of the 42 plants, 20 species were grouped as popular (RPL = 1), and the remaining plants (22 species) were unpopular (RPL < 1). Curcuma longa, which showed the highest ROP value (100), was used to enhance immunity. In conclusion, various plant species in Al Baha province were used by the local communities for the treatment of different health problems. The documentation of these plants could serve as a basis for further scientific research and conservation studies.

This work aimed at assessing the phenolic content, antioxidant and cytotoxicity capacities of methanol extracts obtained fromTagetes minuta,Euphorbia granulataandGalinsoga parvifloramedicinal plants. Standard spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods were used for chemical analysis. Established antioxidant and cytotoxicity assays were adopted for biological activity assessment. In silico screening for the individual phenolic acids was performed using molecular docking techniques.E. granulatashowed a significantly high level of polyphenols. Highest level of flavonoid and tannin contents were detected inGalinsoga parviflora. Ten phenolic acids were identified and quantified via GC–MS in all extracts, and p-Hydroxybenzoic was the most dominant acid (70 µg/g) inT. minutawhile gallic was the predominant acid (73 µg/g) inE. granulata. Extracts showed higher reactive oxygen and nitrogen species scavenging activities and exhibited lower hydrogen peroxide inhibition values. The strongest cytotoxic activity was exhibited byT. minutaextract on A2780 cell line. The cytotoxic activity ofG. parvifloraextract was highly significant against all cancer cells. Extract ofE. granulatashowed best activity towards MCF7 and A2780 cell lines and was less active against HT29 cell line. In silico data revealed that caffeic acid had the lowest value of binding energy and high ligand efficiency ratios against the selected target receptors, comparable to the standards. Methanol extracts of the targeted plants showed promising antioxidant and anticancer activities which could be attributed to presence of different phenolic phytochemicals. Further work is required for determining the active compounds and their mode of action.

The study aimed at evaluating phytochemical components, antibacterial, antifungal, antigiardial and antiamoebic activities of methanol extract from Bidens biternata, Silybum marianum, Osteospermum vaillantii, Achyranthes aspera and Asphodelus tenuifolius plants. Phytochemical analysis revealed that B. biternata was rich in total phytocomponent (24.3 ± 1.2%), polyphenol (16.3 ± 1.6 mg g^-1) and flavonoid (9.6 ± 0.66 mg g^-1) contents. The highest level of alkaloid content was detected in A. aspera (9.2 ± 0.08 mg/g DW) and S. marianum (7.6 ± 0.24 mg/g DW) extracts. B. biternata extract strongly inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus with an inhibition zone equal to 29 ± 1.3 mm and showed moderate antifungal activity towards Aspergillus niger (16 ± 0.3 mm) and Candida albicans (15 ± 0.2 mm). Extract from A. aspera had potent antigiardial activity against Giardia lamlia in vitro with an IC₅₀ = 52.91 µg/ml while the treatment of Entamoeba histolytica with S. marianum extract resulted in a marked decrease of the parasite viability with an IC₅₀ = 80.37 µg/ml. The antimicrobial and antiprotozoal activities of the extracted components give support and can strengthen the traditional uses of these plants.

This study presents the Portulaca foliosa Ker Gawl. as a new species in the flora of Saudi Arabia. The plant was found scattered in limited locations in Alabna escarpment, southwestern Saudi Arabia, growing in a rocky, humid habitat between 1400–1800 m.a.s.l. Five species belonging to the genus Portulaca were reported in Saudi Arabia, namely P. oleracea L., P. quadrifida L., P. grandiflora Hook., P. kermesina N.E.BR., and P. pilosa L. These species have similarities in their shoot and floral structures. However, the obtuse leaves, retuse petals, and the flower’s coluor are features that distinguish the new taxon from the other species. The newly recorded species is easily distinguishable from the other five Portulaca species through its small flower with bright yellow petals. To facilitate identification, distribution and habitat, detailed vegetative and floral descriptions, colour photographs, a map showing locality along with a new key for the genus Portulaca in the flora of Saudi Arabia are given.

Recently, antioxidant and anticancer properties of phenolic compounds have been an area of growing interest. This work aimed at assessing the phenolic content and selected bioactivity of three medicinal plants. Standard spectrophotometric, chromatographic and biological methods were adopted. In silico screening for the phenolic acids as cytoxic agents for cancer was performed. Euphorbia granulata showed significantly-high amount of polyphenols. The highest level of flavonoid and tannin contents was detected in Galinsoga parviflora. Ten phenolic acids were identified and quantified via GC-MS in all extracts. p-Hydroxybenzoic was the most dominant acid in Tagetes minuta while gallic was the predominant acid in E. granulata. Studied extracts showed higher reactive oxygen and nitrogen species scavenging activities and exhibited lower hydrogen peroxide inhibition value. T. minuta exhibited strong activity on A2780 cell line. The cytotoxicity of G. parviflora was highly significant against all cancer cells. E. granulata proved to be most active towards MCF7 and A2780 cell lines. In silico data revealed that caffeic acid had a high cytotoxicity. Studied crude extracts showed promising antioxidant and anticancer activities, which could be due to the different phenolic contents in the studied plants