Analysis of the pharmaceutical market and prospects for creation of hepatoprotective drugs of plant origin in the Republic of Algeria

Abstract

Medicinal plants contain a complex of biologically active substances with therapeutic effects. Depending on the composition and part of the plant, they have a variety of therapeutic effects, unlike drugs based on synthetic substances, which act mainly on target receptors responsible for one specific therapeutic effect and have a number of side effects. In addition, herbal medicines are not addictive when taken over a long period of time. In the Republic of Algeria, most of the medicines on the pharmaceutical market are generics or imported drugs, including in hepatology, which makes it necessary to produce domestic hepatoprotective drugs. The Mediterranean coast, and in particular the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, is rich in medicinal plants that are used as natural remedies for the treatment of various pathologies, both in combination with medical drugs and as alternative treatments. Among the medicinal plants growing in the coastal areas of the Mediterranean are those known for their hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties. In order to create remedies for the treatment and prevention of liver diseases based on medicinal plants, we conducted a medicinal plant screening in terms of their application in hepatology. One of the selection criteria was their prevalence in the Algerian flora.