Inventories of Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Diabetes: Recommended by herbalists in Sidi Slimane, Morocco

The ethnobotanical survey conducted among herbalists in the town of Sidi Slimane identified 42 species belonging to 22 botanical families. The most common families are: Apiaceae, represented by 7 species; Lamiaceae, with 7 species; followed by Fabaceae with 4 species; then Asteraceae with 3 species; Myrtaceae and Poaceae, each represented by 2 species; and finally Apocynaceae, Cactaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Lauraceae, Linaceae, Pedaliaceae, Oleaceae, Punicaceae, Sapotaceae, Schisandraceae, Ranunculaceae, Rosaceae, and Zygophyllaceae, each with a single species. The most commonly used plant parts are seeds and leaves. Preparations are primarily made as infusions and decoctions and administered orally. The results of this study provided an important source of information for the city and could be useful for identifying new antidiabetic active compounds for use in the pharmaceutical industry.