Etude officinale des compléments alimentaires à base de plantes

Abstract

Herbal dietary supplements represent a significant category of nutrients used for various health purposes and in the treatment of stress. Among them is a specific subcategory widely used to stimulate appetite and promote weight gain, known as appetite-enhancing dietary supplements. In this study, a list of herbal dietary supplements was compiled to examine some pharmaceutical and biochemical aspects. The inventory revealed a good availability of these supplements during the three months (March, April, May). It was also found that these products are marketed in various pharmaceutical forms, targeting different age groups. These supplements are mostly of plant origin, composed of at least one medicinal plant in addition to other ingredients such as vitamins and minerals. The majority of these products are labeled as "dietary supplements, " while a minority are not. A large portion is locally produced. Regarding the assessed level of knowledge among participants from the city of Mila, the study showed that they possess a moderate level of knowledge, along with generally positive attitudes and practices. The results of the biochemical assays related dietary stimulating appetite revealed that the three supplements used contain significant levels of polyphenols and flavonoids, giving them strong antioxidant power sometimes even higher than that of ascorbic acid in scavenging free radicals. In conclusion, herbal dietary supplements exhibit many promising properties in pharmacy. However, the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare professionals require further attention. Moreover, the antioxidant properties demonstrated by the tested supplements make two of them promising candidates for future use as natural antioxidants and stimulating appetite.