An overview on pharmacological, ethnomedicinal, and phytochemical investigations of Zygophyllum gaetulum Emb. & Maire - an endemic species of southeast of Morocco

Zygophyllum gaetulum Emb. Maire (Zygophyllaceae), commonly known as "El Aggaya" or "El Berraya", is a medicinal plant Indigenous to the Moroccan Sahara. It exhibits endemic characteristics and is notably prevalent in the Drâa-Tafilalet region. Within Moroccan folk medicine, this plant holds a reputation for its efficacy in treating various ailments. It is recognized for its traditional applications in alleviating stomach pain, and addressing eczema and dermatitis, and stands out as one of the frequently employed plants for managing diabetes. The purpose of this review paper was to highlight the importance of Zygophyllum gaetulum (Z. gaetulum) by summarizing the literature investigations reported on various ethnopharmacological and phytochemical aspects as well as biological properties to stimulate interest in promoting its domestication and commercialization for global markets. The data and information on Z. gaetulum were collated from various resources like ethnobotanical textbooks and literature databases such as Springer, Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Wiley, Tailor and Francis, and Google Scholar. The phytochemical screening of the different parts of Z. gaetulum indicates that the leaves are rich in saponins (bisdesmosidic triterpene saponins), terpenes, and sterols. 33 compounds were identified from fruits, leaves, and stem roots. They are generally composed of terpenoids, such as caryophyllene E, decanone, and bornylacetate. In addition, Z. gaetulum demonstrated several biological properties such as antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects. These activities allow the application of Z. gaetulum in the medicinal field. Hence, it is crucial to conduct thorough investigations into the phytochemical composition of the plant and to assess its pharmacological activity. This approach is essential for future drug discovery and development endeavors.