Ethnobotanic, Ethnopharmacologic Aspects and New Phytochemical Insights into Moroccan Argan Fruits

Abstract

This review summarizes available data on argan fruit botany, geographical distribution, traditional uses, environmental interest, socioeconomic role, phytochemistry, as well as health beneficial effects and examination of future prospects. In particular, ethnomedical uses of argan fruits are carried out throughout Morocco where it has been used against various diseases. Different classes of bioactive compounds have been characterized including essential oils, fatty acids, triacylglycerols, flavonoids and their newly reported acylglycosyl derivatives, monophenols, phenolic acids, cinnamic acids, saponins, triterpenes, phytosterols, ubiquinone, melatonin, new aminophenols along with vitamin E among other secondary metabolites. The latter have already shown a wide spectrum of in vitro, and ex vivo biologicalactivities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antihypertensive, anti-hypercholesterolemia, analgesic, antimicrobial, molluscicidal anti-nociceptive and anticancer potential. Argan flesh (pulp) contains a broad spectrum of polyphenolic compounds which may have utility for incorporation into nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals relevant to the food, cosmetic and health industries. Further research is recommended, especially on the health beneficial effects of the aminophenols.

Fatty Acid Composition of Cosmetic Argan Oil: Provenience and Authenticity Criteria

“…Argan oil is produced from the kernels of the argan tree ( Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels) that is common to Morocco and parts of Algeria. As a multi-purpose tree, it plays a vital socioeconomic role, and its sustainable exploitation is essential in maintaining an ecological balance and preserving biodiversity [ 1 ]. Although the argan tree is the only representative species of the tropical family Sapotaceae in Morocco, it is the second-largest forest species after oak and before cedar and has a life span of 200 years or more.…”

“…Khallouki et al [ 1 ] best described the appearance of the argan fruit as “a false drupe, oval sessile bay, fusiform, rounded or in a spindle and is about 4 cm long with a very hard nut containing two or three kernels representing about a quarter of the weight of the fresh fruit”. Once ripe, the nuts are collected by rural women and, to a lesser extent, men living within the reserve.…”

“…Charrouf and Guillaume [ 3 ] developed the concept of these women’s co-operatives and remains the leading figure in the valorisation of argan oil in Morocco. Mechanical processing considerably reduces production time, increases yield (>45% v/w ) and guarantees consistent extraction of high-quality oil [ 1 ].…”

In silico screening of Moroccan medicinal plants with the ability to directly inhibit the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2

“…As a meaningful indigenous alimentary medicine, A. spinosa is a valuable potential for Moroccans (El Babili et al, 2010). All the different botanical parts of the Argania spinosa like the fruits, wood, leaves, and kernels are exploited for many folk medicine purposes (Khallouki et al, 2017). In fact, the Argan tree based preparations have been considerably used in Morocco for their biological properties for many purposes including among others: diabetes and colopathies (El Babili, et al, 2010), bactericidal and fungicidal remedies, anti-atherosclerotic, hepatoprotective properties, several dermatological indications, rheumatism disease and the treatment of lung infections (Moukal et al, 2004).…”

“…Abundant studies showing that this tree possesses many secondary metabolites including avonoids, polyphenols, tannins saponins, alkaloids, quinones, anthraquinones cyanidins, terpenoids, sterols, mucilage, sesquiterpenes, reducing sugars, glucosides, carbohydrates and vitamin E. Thereby, the Argan tree has been subjected to many pharmacological screenings. There is evidence of their wide spectrum of in vitro, and in vivo biological activities including antioxidant (Koufan et al, 2020), anti-in ammatory (Kamal et al, 2019), antidiabetic (Hebi et al, 2018), antibacterial (Bonvicini et l., 2017), anti-fungal (El Abbassi et al, 2014), anticancer (Khallouki et al, 2017), antiviral (including anti-HIV) (Dzubak et al, 2006) and antimalarial (El Babili et al, 2010) activities.…”