The most important medicinal plants in Wadi Araba desert in South West Jordan: A review article
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418
Advances in Environmental Biology, 5(2): 418-425, 2011
ISSN 1995-0756
This is a refereed journal and all articles are professionally screened and reviewed ORIGINAL ARTICLE
The most important medicinal plants in Wadi Araba desert in South West Jordan:
A review article
1
Oraib S. Nawash and 2Ahmad S. Al-Horani
1
The Higher Council for Science and Technology, PO Box (36), 11941 Amman, Jordan,
2
Jordan Society for Scientific Research, P. O. Box (13900), 11942 Amman, Jordan,
Oraib S. Nawash and Ahmad S. Al-Horani: The Higher Council for Science and Technology, PO Box
(36), 11941 Amman, Jordan,
ABSTRACT
This paper reviews the relevant information from journal articles and other resources on the most important
medicinal plants present in the desert of Wadi Araba in South-West Jordan including the pharmaceutical and
indigenous knowledge research. Many of Wadi Araba plants are common in the deserts of other Arab countries
such as Arab gulf countries, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Palestine and Sudan and beyond to India and Pakistan.
The flora of Wadi Araba was investigated by many botanist and plant ecologist but the analysis of the
medicinal and economical value of those plants is still lacking. From the medicinal plants that present in Wadi
Araba and still used by the local inhabitants are: Artemisia judiaca, Calligonum comosum, Moringa peregrina,
Salvadora persica and Ziziphus spina-christi. However, the traditional and indigenous knowledge of the medical
utilization of these and other plants is poorly recorded and is suffering from dramatic erosion. Consequently,
further investigations regarding the value of native medicinal plants and the documentation of its traditional
and ethnopharmacological knowledge is an indispensible priority in Wadi Araba in particular and in Jordan
in general. The aim of this review article is to provide the reader with information concerning the
pharmaceutical research and indigenous knowledge of the most important medicinal plants that present in Wadi
Araba fragile desert ecosystem in order to: (1) Emphasize the importance of documenting the indigenous
knowledge as a part of the cultural heritage, (2) Draw attention of the share holders in the pharmaceutical
industry in Jordan and beyond about the important medical values of those plants and (3) Draw attention of
the governmental and nongovernmental authorization to preserve those plants from genetic erosion.
Key words: Wadi Araba, medicinal plants, genetic erosion, indigenous knowledge, ethnopharmacology.
Introduction total flora of Jordan. From the few documentations
of the indigenous knowledge of medical plants in
Jordan as any country in the world has its own Jordan is the work of Al-Qura’n, [9] who
valuable traditional medical uses of wild plants. documented some of the folk medicinal potentiality
However, most of them are listed in the medicinal of wild dicot aquatic plants in Jordan. Furthermore,
plants checklist as names and there is still a need for Hudaib et al., [27] investigated the
a comprehensive documentation of their traditional ethnopharmacology of medicinal plants in Mujib
knowledge and the commercial potential in the Nature Reserve and surrounding area near Dead Sea
pharmaceutical industry at the national level. Oran area and calculated the informant consensus factor
and Al-Eisawi, [46] listed about 363 species of (Fic) in relation to medicinal plant use. The highest
vascular medicinal plants belonging to 263 generas use value was recorded for digestive problems and
and 86 families which comprise about 20% of the anthropologically, women were the primary gatherers
Corresponding Author
Oraib S. Nawash, The Higher Council for Science and Technology, PO Box (36), 11941 Amman,
Jordan,
Email: oraib120@hotmail.comAdv. Environ. Biol., 5(2): 418-425, 2011 419
while healers were reported to be both females, chamaephyte (semi shrub) is native to Northern
predominantly, and males; yet, herbalists are deficient Africa to South Western regions of Asia and is being
in this local community. Similar study in the Ajloun introduced as alien plant to Australia. It is used by
Mediterranean highland in Jordan showed that kidney local people in the WANA region to fill pillows due
problems scored the highest informant consensus to the presence of soft fiber in the seed heads of the
factor while Crocus hyemails (Zafran) was the plant plant and it has veterinary medical uses in as a purge
of highest use value [1]. and emetic, and given internally for snake-bite.
The desert of Wadi Araba in South-West Jordan A. javonica is used in diarrhea and dysentery;
harbors many valuable plant genetic resources that and seeds are used in cases of diarrhea and
can be used for many purposes such as food, feed, haematuria in cattle [32]. It is also recorded to be as
energy, aesthetic, fibers and medical treatment. It a remedy for toothache, headache and protect
extends along 170 km from the southern Dead Sea rheumatic pains [50,49], in treating kidney stones
shore (-400 m b.s.l) to the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red [68,19] and it is also has as an aphrodisiac effect.
Sea (130 m a.s.l). From chorological aspects, the Moreover, Reddy, [53] detected an anti-
vegetation in this desert is considered as Saharo- hyperglycemic activity of ethanol extract of A.
Arabian territories with Sudanian penetration. Another javanica leaves in Alloxan- induced diabetic mice.
feature of Wadi Araba desert is the heterogeneity of In Wadi Araba, it appears mostly in highly alkaline
habitats (e.g. saline marshes including Dead Sea and Lisan Marl soil and in sandy runnels, Wadis e.g.
Sabkhas, different sand dune types, rocky desert Wadi Khnazeera in northern of the Araba. It is
(Hammad), cliffs and water runoff areas). Many of mainly is threatened by the establishment of mining
the plants grown in Wadi Araba are also common in industry at the expense of natural habitats.
the deserts of Arabian Peninsula, Sudan, Egypt,
Palestine, and others are common in India and Artemisia judaica L. (Family: Compositae, Arabic
Pakistan. However, little research is done on name: Baa’ithran).:
evaluating their industrial and commercial potentials
and their local knowledge in Jordan particularly in A Saharo-Arabian fragrant chamaephyte that
Wadi Araba compared to the other neighboring grows in extreme deserts that is common by local
countries like Gulf countries and Egypt. Bedwins to have anti-diabetic effects and it is sold in
Medicinal plants signify a crucial health and local markets for this purpose.
economic part of biodiversity. The importance of Extracts of A. judaica showed pronounced
documentation and protection of the medicinal plants molluscicidal properties on the terrestrial snail
indigenous knowledge is as important as protecting Eobania vermiculata [1]. Artemisia species have been
them from genetic erosion. These local forgotten used worldwide as a rich source of plant derived
treasures are totally ignored and are threatened by pesticides as well as tonic, stomachic, stimulant
being lost despite the sustainable socio-economic and beverage and as antiseptic oils or tinctures for the
environmental impact they could impose when relief of rheumatic pains. Mixture of the dry leaves
preserved and utilized by the local community. of A. judaica, A. oncosperma and A.herba alba are
Therefore, this article review aims to provide the very common anthelmintic drugs in most of North
reader with the relevant information concerning the African and Middle East countries [5]. The single
indigenous knowledge and possible medical uses of and multiple doses of both water and alcoholic
the most important medicinal plants that present in extracts significantly reduced the blood glucose level
Wadi Araba desert in order to; (1) Emphasize the in experimentally diabetic rats while no significant
importance of documenting the ethnopharmacological effect was shown on normal rats [44]. Significantly
knowledge as a part of the cultural heritage (2) Draw higher antioxidant activity and flavonoid contents
attention of the share holders in the pharmaceutical were observed in the tissues of mature greenhouse-
industry in Jordan and beyond about the important grown plants [35]. A protocol for Plant regeneration
medical values of those plants, and (3) Draw from mesophyll protoplasts of A. judaica was
attention of the governmental and nongovernmental developed by Pan et al., [47], Liu et al., [35].
authorization to preserve the biological diversity from A. judaica is endemic in Jordan to Wadi Araba
genetic erosion. Some information about the most and associated to Hammada salicornica, grows in
important medicinal plants that are present in Wadi rocky calcium carbonate rich soils and mountain
Araba is reviewed below. escarpments, it is considered from the highly
threatened rare species in Wadi Araba. The
2. Some of the Wadi Araba desert medicinal plants conservation of the plant is very crucial and argent
Aerva javonica (Burm. fil) Schultes, (Family: task that must be done.
Amaranthaceae, Arabic name: Ra’a).
Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. (Family: Balanitecea,
It is known as the desert cotton; this tropical Arabic name: Heglig, Zaqqum).:Adv. Environ. Biol., 5(2): 418-425, 2011 420
It is known in English as Desert date, Soapberry inflammatory and anti-ulcer activity when tested on
Tree and Jericho Balsam. The tree is distributed in rats [36] and the alcoholic extract of the plant tissues
tropical Africa and rift valley, Arabian Peninsula and showed cytotoxic and antioxidant activity (Badria et
was introduced to the Latin America and India. The al., 2007). Additionally, water extracts of the dried
fleshy pulp of both unripe and ripe fruits is edible tissues of C. Comosum and other plant species
and eaten dried or fresh. The fresh and dried leaves, collected from Saudi Arabia showed a significant
fruits and sprouts are eaten by livestock. lethal effect on the eggs and larva of mosquitoes
Traditionally, the fruits have been used in the which makes this species a promising organic
treatment of liver and spleen diseases and known to pesticide to control mosquitoes without harming the
kill the snails which carry schistosomiasis and environment [24].
bilharzia flukes [66]. Whereas; roots are used for This sandy dune species is highly threatened in
abdominal pains and as a purgative and when mixed Wadi Araba and almost disappeared from Wadi Rum
with maize meal the Gum from the wood is used to due to frequent cutting for fuel and heavy grazing
treat chest complaints. [42,55]. Vegetation efforts and preservation of this
Some studies analyzed the metabolite profiling of species must be done in order to protect it from the
saponins in B. aegyptiaca plant tissues [58,18]. High genetic erosion.
performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis
of a dichloromethane extract of the stem-barks of B. Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad (Family:
aegyptiaca has yielded two known alkaloids, N-trans- Cucurbitaceae, Arabic name: Handul).:
feruloyltyramine (1) and N-cis-feruloyltyramine (2),
and three common metabolites, vanillic acid, syringic This annual viny plant is known as the Bitter
acid and 3-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1- Apple, it tolerates a wide range of environmental
propanone [58]. Moreover, Kamel [31] isolated a conditions [15] and the fruits are described as bitter
new furostanol saponin from the mesocarp of this and Poisonous particularly the seeds [21]. This wild
tree fruits (balanitesin) and was identified by watermelon species is widely distributed, it grows in
different spectroscopic techniques. Rakotonirina et the Mediterranean basin, North Africa and South-
al., [52] concluded that the decoction of Balanites West Asia in dry and sandy habitats [70].
aegyptiaca posses sedative and anticonvulsant C. colocynthis is identified as a native medicinal
properties that might explain its use as a traditional plant in the international trade. In Yemen the pulp of
medicine for epilepsy in Africa. On the toxicity of seeds are used traditionally as anti-malarial [10]. In
Balanites aegyptiaca, a study consumption of the Sudan, the fruits are used as anti-diabetic, purgative
crude oil of Balanites aegyptiaca may be of no and for making tar, which is used as anti-scabie. In
serious safety concern, especially on liver and kidney Tunisia it used for impetigo, a skin infection due to
injury [45] As natural insecticides for mosquito the Streptococcus bacteria [34]. The crude extracts
control particularly root and bark extracts, all parts of showed active response against some bacterial strains
the B. aegyptiaca contain larvicidal properties that may be due to carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides
could be developed and used [17]. Siddique and and tannin [41]. Some studies concluded that oral
Anis, [63] and Ndoye et al., [43] produced successful administration of C. colocynthis might lighten the
protocol on in vitro direct plant regeneration of B. diabetes-induced disturbances of haematological
aegyptiaca. parameters and can protect the RBC’s from the
In Wadi Araba, this valuable plant species is oxidative stress produced from alloxan administration
found rarely in water runoff wadis and seriously [20]. Further medical uses of C. colocynthis are nose
threatened by human activities such as presence of bleeding, pains of ligament, joint and sciatic nerve,
mining industry and monoculture projects, grazing gout, skin diseases, rheumatism, cold, gastro-intestinal
and wood cutting, thus the restoration of this plant problem and scorpion sting [56].
species is very crucial Although the medical benefits of the plant are
very famous, caution should be taken when
Calligonum comosum L`Her. (Family:cPolygonaceae, consuming it, as it can result in severe
Arabic name: Arta, Wargat Al-shamas ). anticholinergic toxicity, atropine poisoning, and
hallucination. However, and despite of the fact that
The plant is known in many Arabic deserts and the plant toxicity, it was recommended by the
considered as a typical psammophyte shrub that is famous Arab physician Al-Kindi to rub the fruit with
distributed from the North African deserts, Middle the foot to cure back pain and constipation, this
East and India. It is widely used as firewood that recommendation is followed up by many Bedwins in
gives smokeless fire, as a food colorant and as a the Arabian Peninsula. Further investigation should
feed for animals, it is also used as a medicinal plant be made to evaluate the toxicity of the direct local
by the local Bedwins. usage of the C. colocynthis. It worth mentioning that
The plant has been found to show anti- Meena et al., [40] produced the first direct in vitroAdv. Environ. Biol., 5(2): 418-425, 2011 421
protocol for plantlet regeneration in C. colocynthis ethnopharamecological survey targeting Palestine and
from shoot tip explants as a useful method for ex-situ Golan Heights as an important plant in treating
conservation. aching joints, back pain and skin bruises in which a
Although the plant is considered from the segtal decoction of 200 g is prepared in 1 liter water,
plants in Wadi Araba and grows in various habitats, boiled for 30 min and added to hot bath, then the
the commercial cultivation of C. colocynthis is highly patient is immersed in the bath for 15 min [57].
recommended. As a member of the family Furthermore, R. raetam is listed amongst important
Cucurbitaceae, it could be cultivated in a manner anti-diabetic plants in folk’s medicine in India [62].
similar to water melons, however, it is more drought- The methanolic extract of white broom is
resistant and the plant produces numerous fruits effective in controlling the elevated blood glucose
every year, ca 40-60 fruits per plant. levels in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. This
antidiabetic activity is partly due to stimulation of
Moringa peregrina Forssk. (Family: Moringaceae, insulin release and inhibition of intestinal glucose
Arabic name: Habb Elyasar).: absorption [7]. Another study showed that the
aqueous extract of R. raetam possesses significant
This valuable deciduous tree is mainly hypoglycaemic effect in both normal and
distributed in countries bordering the Red Sea, from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats [37,38] found that
Somalia and Yemen to Jordan, Palestine and Syria. the plant aqueous extract exhibits lipid and body
It is considered as a very important medicinal and weight lowering activities in both normal and severe
economic tree. The seed oil contains almost all the hyperglycemic rats after repeated oral administration
fatty acids that are also found in olive oil. This oil of the plant aqueous extract at a dose of 20 mg/kg.
is used in cooking, cosmetics, and lubricant for small Moreover, R. raetam showed the best activity against
machines. Moringa wood is reported to be resistant Gram positive organism especially against methicillin
to termites and is therefore popular as a building resistant Staphylococcus aureus, however, it showed
material. The young leaves of M. peregrina are also low antifungal activity [26]. Another study suggested
eaten as a vegetable and it is used traditionally in that oral administration of aqueous R. raetam extract
folk medicine and sold in local markets in Oman and exhibited antihypertensive and diuretic effects in
other Arab Gulf countries as antioxidant and wound spontaneously hypertensive rats and diuretic action in
healer [39]. In Egypt, it is used locally to treat normotensive rats [22]. Koriem et al. [33] suggested
slimness, constipation, headache, fever, burns, back a beneficial effect of R. raetam plants extracts
and muscle pains [64]. against experimentally-induced hepato- and nephro-
Tahany et al., [64] separated six important toxicity of cadmium and the possible mechanism of
antibacterial constituents from the aerial parts of the protective effects may be partly due to the
Moringa and those are: lupeol acetate, amyrin, antioxidant activity of these plants.
amyrin, sitosterol, sitosterol-3-O-D-glucoside and As an organic pesticide, aqueous extracts of R.
apignin. Many countries made attempts to produce raetam showed a great replant effect and as toxic as
this tree commercially in order to produce oil for Imidacloprid to the sweet potato whitefly Bemisia
industry. tabaci affecting sweet potato in Jordan [16].
M. Peregrina is listed amongst the rare plants Additionally, due to the antioxidant, antimicrobial
present in Wadi Araba [54] and it is almost and antiviral effect of the R. raetam flowers, they
disappeared due to the presence of mining factories could be used as a natural preservative ingredient in
and farms in the Dead Sea area. The conservation of the food and/or pharmaceutical industries [22].
this species and the documentation of the local Despite the benefits of native plants in medical
knowledge are very crucial and an argent task must treatment, the proper procedures and doses
be done to prevent it from genetic loss. recommended should be carefully followed due to the
toxicity and other health hazards that those natural
Retama raetam (Forssk.) Webb, (Family: Fabaceae, products have. For example, Schmid et al., [59]
Arabic name: Ratem). recorded a seven day old baby boy who was
lethargic and cyanotic for one hour and showed
The White broom shrub is endemic to North shallow respiration due to huge over dose of white
Africa and East Mediterranean (Jordan, Lebanon and broom tea to treat the mildly jaundiced that the baby
Palestine) in sandy drought regions. In late winter suffered from.
and early spring, it produces very attractive small The large to medium seeds of white broom
white flowers that emit a sweet, honey fragrance and collected from south Jordan showed high germination
adds an aesthetic value to the harsh desert ecosystem. rate when soaked in highly concentrated pure sulfuric
In Australia, it was introduced as an ornamental acid for three hours [42], not published). In general,
shrub. the plant is considered fairly distributed in Wadi
T h e p l a n t i s d o c ume nted in a n Araba due to its low palatability value; however, itAdv. Environ. Biol., 5(2): 418-425, 2011 422
is still facing the hazard of being cut as a source of A tropical evergreen tree of Sudanian chorotype,
fuel. it is cultivated mainly as a dry crop for its mucilage
nutritious fruits, honey production and landscaping
Salvadora persica L. (Family: Salvadoraceae, Arabic purposes. It is considered as a wild tree can be
name: Miswak, Siwak, and Arak).: domesticated. Widely distributed in Asian and
African Arab countries and prefers to grow in edges
An upright evergreen small tree or shrub with of ponds, river and wadi banks where groundwater is
small, oval, thick and succulent leaves with a strong available. It serves the ecosystem by controlling
smell of cress or mustard. When fresh, they are eaten erosion, acting as wind break and it improves soil
as salad and are used in traditional medicine for quality by increasing available Phosphorus.
cough, asthma, scurvy, rheumatism, piles and other Traditionally, it is used in Arab countries as a
diseases. The flowers are small and fragrant and are medicinal plant, the fruits of some Zizyphus species
used as a stimulant and are mildly purgative. The are used for the treatment of fever, pain, dandruff,
berries are small and barely noticeable; they are wounds and ulcers, in inflammatory conditions,
eaten both fresh and dried [8]. The twigs of this tree asthma and to cure eye diseases, while the seeds are
are considered as a natural toothbrush that is widely use as a tonic [60,4].
used in Islamic countries and beyond. The local Extracts from these plants could be useful in the
Bedouins in Saudi Arabia have a strong belief that treatment of nosocomial infections, opportunistic
the honey of S. persica had high medicinal value infection of the unary tract, infantile gastroenteritis,
when compared to honey from other plant species. traveler’s diarrhea, wound infection, meningitis, and
Additionally, the honey bee keepers noticed that S. wounds infection which are diseases caused by some
persica reduced the common diseases of honey bees of these organisms [4]. Additionally, Ziziphus spina-
as well [61]. christi fruit extract caused neurotransmitters release
The Prophet Mohammad stated that:" the Siwak which is probably related to presence of ascorbic
is an implement for the cleaning of mouth, teeth and acid [67] and the leaves may potentially be safe for
pleases God. '' The prophet also stated that: "If it use as sedative drug [68]. A variable activity of the
were not that it would create hardship for my people, plant extract against Staphylococcus aureus which
I would have ordered them to use the miswak with highly infects various burns [13] and it also inhibited
every Pray." the growth of Bacillus subtilis [44] and Streptococcus
The studies on the medical uses of this tree pyogenes [44].
particularly on teeth and mouth health are very rich. Moreover, the methanol extract of Sidir could be
It contains an antibiotic and antimycotic which used not only as a safe potential natural functional
suppresses the growth of bacteria and the formation food ingredient or as therapeutic drug in the
of plaque in the mouth. It increases saliva volumes treatment of diabetes, but also it is effective in
without altering the pH of the mouth hence the reducing both hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress
prevention of dental caries [23]. The chemical accompanying diabetes [28,63]. A micropropagation
composition of the air dried stem bark of S. persica protocol has been developed from shoot tip explants
is mainly trimethyl amine, salvadorine, chlorides, of Sidir [14].
high amounts of fluoride and silica, sulphur, vitamin In Jordan including Wadi Araba, it is widely
C, small amounts of tannins, saponins, flavonoids distributed in all valleys and lowlands, and usually is
and sterols [29], that is vitamin C helps in the confined to low elevations below a.s.l. 500 m. It
healing and repair of tissues. Miswak was reported to easily domesticated and can be grown commercially
have anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic activities for the benefit of pharmaceutical industry and re-
beside the astringent and detergent effect (Sadhan et vegetation purposes.
al., 1999). Studies showed also that S. Persica In addition to the mentioned medicinal plants,
extract solution could be a substitute for sodium there are other valuable medicinal plants present in
hypochlorite and chlorhexidine as an irrigating Wadi Araba, amongst the others are: Anastatica
solution for root canal if it is available for use in heirochuntica, Conyza incana, Haplophyllum
future [12]. tuberculatum, Maerua crassifolia, Ochradenus
S. persica tree is considered also from the rare baccatus Peganum harmala, and Ricinus communis.
and highly threatened species in Wadi Araba. It is
threatened by the presence of mining industry near Conclusions and recommendations:
the Dead Sea and the agricultural projects that is
being established along the desert. This review referred to some of the studies that
investigated the pharmaceutical value and indigenous
Ziziphus spina-christi (L.) Desf. (Family: knowledge of some wild plants that also present in
Rhamnaceae, Arabic name: Sidr, Nabbak).: Wadi Araba in Jordan. It showed the various uses of
those valuable plants by different folks in treatingAdv. Environ. Biol., 5(2): 418-425, 2011 423
different medical problems such as diarrhea, diabetes, 9. Al-Qura’n, S., 2005. Statistical verification of
skin and eye diseases, dental health and others. Many folk medicinal potentiality of wild dicot aquatic
of those plants are seriously threatened by genetic plants in Jordan. American Journal of
erosion due to the different human activities and the environmental sciences, 1(1): 74-80.
indigenous knowledge about their use along the local 10. Al-rahwi, A.K. and U. Lindequist, 2004. Some
community generation is poorly documented. Thus, medicinal plants used in Yemen herbal medicine
the need of a comprehensive documentation and to treat Malaria. Afr. J. Trad. CAM, 1(1): 72-76.
focused research on the medical plants that present 11. Al-Sabawi, N.A.K., K. Abdul-Khalik, A. Abdal
in Wadi Araba in particular and Jordan in general is and M.Y. Taha, 2007. The antimicrobial activity
very important tasks that the decision makers should of Salvadora persica solution (Miswak-Siwak) as
take seriously into consideration at the national level. root canal irrigant 9a competitive study).
The utilization of the medicinal wild plants in the University of Sharjah Journal of Pure & Applied
economic and sustainable development should be Sciences, (4): 369-91.
carried out in synchronization with a firm and wise 12. Al-Sabawi, N.K., Abdul-Khalik, K. Abdal, M.Y.
plan of preserving and sustaining the ecosystems that Taha, 2007. The antimicrobial activity of
provide us with such important service. Salvadora persica solution (Miswak-Siwak) as
root canal irritant (A comparative study).
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