Native Omani plants could hold the key to future natural therapies

Muscat, Oman – Native plants long used in Omani traditional medicine may offer valuable new opportunities for developing natural health products, according to a review by researchers from Sultan Qaboos University published in the Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences.

The review examines the phytochemical composition and antioxidant potential of several indigenous Omani plants, highlighting their rich content of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and antioxidants. These naturally occurring substances are known to help reduce oxidative stress, a biological process associated with chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.

The researchers found that many of these native species exhibit promising antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Laboratory evidence reported in previous studies also suggests that some of these plants may help inhibit the growth of cancer cells, supporting their long-standing use in traditional medicine while pointing to new opportunities for biomedical research.

Despite Oman’s exceptional plant biodiversity, the review notes that many indigenous medicinal plants remain scientifically underexplored. The authors emphasize that expanding research on these species could contribute to the discovery of safer, plant-based therapeutic compounds while preserving the country's valuable ethnobotanical heritage.

The review calls for greater investment in phytochemical, pharmacological, and clinical research to unlock the full medical and economic potential of Oman’s native flora and support the development of evidence-based natural healthcare products.