Artemisia Biennis Research Articles

Cytotoxic Activity and Phytochemical Analysis of Artemisia biennis Essential Oils at Different Growth Stages

Background: The Artemisia genus is well-known for its medicinal properties, particularly in Iranian traditional medicine. Artemisia biennis, a species within this genus, is widely distributed across Iranian rangelands. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic activity and chemical composition of essential oils (EO) isolated from the aerial parts of A. biennis in Iran at different growth stages. Methods: The aerial parts of A. biennis from northeast Iran were collected during June (early vegetative stage), July (pre-flowering stage), August (full-flowering stage), and October (late vegetative stage). The essential oils (EOs) of the A. biennis species were extracted by hydro-distillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus and analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The cytotoxic activity of the EOs against normal fibroblasts, MCF-7, and HT-29 cell lines was evaluated using the MTT assay. Results: Data from GC/MS analysis revealed that (Z)-nerolidol (22.62 - 54.4%), (E)-β-farnesene (6.89-16.38%), and (Z)-tonghaosu (12.33 - 18.61%) were the most abundant chemical constituents. The essential oil (EO) of A. biennis was characterized by a high content of oxygenated sesquiterpenes, with (Z)-nerolidol being the main constituent identified. Based on the MTT assay, the EO of the plant species collected in June exhibited the most potent cytotoxicity against MCF-7 (IC50 = 2.84 ± 0.15 µg/mL) and HT-29 cell lines (IC50 = 2.41 ± 0.2 µg/mL). Conclusions: The growth stage of A. biennis affects EO yields, the composition of extracted secondary metabolites, and cytotoxic activity. A. biennis EOs can be considered potential sources of cytotoxic phytochemicals.

Diversity in Elemental Content in Selected Artemisia L. (Asteraceae) Species from Gilgit-Baltistan Region of Pakistan Based on Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrophotometry (ICP-AES).

Diversity in eleven Artemisia species from northern Pakistan was assessed based on as per suitability of their elemental contents with thermal conductivity detection and ICP-AES procedures. Results indicated the presence of 13 major elements in the Artemisia species with varied concentrations including Carbon (45.7%, 45,7000ppm-49.8%, 49,8000ppm), Nitrogen (2.03%, 20,300ppm-3.50%, 35,000ppm), Phosphorus (0.168%, 1680ppm-0.642%, 6420ppm), Potassium (2.38%, 23,800ppm-4.72%, 47,200ppm), Sulphur (1920ppm, 0.192%-4780ppm, 0.478%), Boron (23.8ppm, 0.00238%-71.7ppm, 0.00717%), Calcium (0.733%, 7330ppm-2.249%, 22,490ppm), Magnesium (0.116%, 1160ppm-0.267%, 2670ppm), Zinc (27.7ppm, 0.00277%-47.9ppm, 0.00479%), Manganese (25.7ppm, 0.00257%-93.8ppm, 0.00938%), Iron (353ppm, 0.0353%-1532ppm, 0.1532%), Copper (14.1ppm, 0.00141%-26.2ppm, 0.00262%) and Sodium (105ppm, 0.0105%-587ppm, 0.0587%). Cluster analysis distributed the Artemisia species into two major groups (G1 and G2) on the basis of their elemental content where G1 contained species like, Artemisia herba alba Asso., A. tournefortiana Rachb., A. rutifolia Steph. ex Spreng., and A. vulgaris L., with the presence of all elements with the maximum amount of S, Zn, P, Ca, and Mg, while G2 contained species like Artemisia biennis Willd., A. chamaemelifolia Vill., A. capillaris, L., A. gmelinii Weber ex Stech., A. indica Willd., A. maritima L., and A. verlotiorum Lamotte., with all elements but significant concentrations of B, N, C, K, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Na. PCA analysis displayed maximum species diversity in the axes two, while axes one showed lower diversity. Additionally, the elevated levels of elements recorded as compared to the threshold levels recommended in the literature for medicinal plants require extraordinary precautionary measures before or during using Artemisia as medication to avoid metal toxicity.

Artemisia biennis Willd.: Anti-Nociceptive effects and possible mechanisms of action

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Artemisia biennis Willd. (Dermane in Persian) has been used as an antinociceptive remedy in Iranian folkloric medicine. ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the anti-nociceptive effects of Artemisia biennis Willd. aerial part essential oil (ABAEO) on male Swiss mice. Materials and methodsNociceptive pain techniques including acetic acid-induced writhing (AAIW), formalin-induced paw licking (FPL), glutamate-induced paw licking (GPL), and tail-flick (TF) models were applied. We assessed opioid and L-arginine-NO-cGMP-KATP pathways to detect the possible anti-nociceptive properties of ABAEO. In addition, neuropathic pain was induced by the cervical spinal cord contusion model. ResultsABAEO (120 mg/kg) had a significant anti-nociceptive activities in comparison to the control animals (p < 0.05) in the AAIW, TF, GPL, and FPL assays. The selective opioid antagonist (naloxonazine) administration in the AAIW test alleviated the anti-nociceptive effect of ABAEO (p < 0.05). L-arginine, methylene blue, and glibenclamide treatment prevented the ABAEO anti-nociceptive effects (p < 0.05); however, sodium nitroprusside could profoundly potentiate the ABAEO-associated antinociception in the FPL (phase II) test (p < 0.05). In nociceptive pain models, Cr (one of the main constituents of ABAEO) showed significant anti-nociceptive effects (p < 0.05). Moreover, the von Frey results indicated that ABAEO could attenuate mechanical allodynia in mice. ConclusionOur observation revealed the anti-nociceptive effects of ABAEO in male mice. These effects could include, at least in part, modulating glutamatergic mechanisms via opioid systems. Our data output also indicates activating the L-arginine-NO-cGMP-KATP system in ABAEO anti-nociceptive activities.

Comparison of the cytotoxic effects of different fractions of Artemisia ciniformis and Artemisia biennis on B16/F10, PC3 and MCF7 Cells.

Background and purpose:Artemisia is one of the well-known herbal medicinal plants for antimicrobial, insecticidal, antioxidant, and antimalarial activities. The antiproliferative effects of dichloromethane extracts of Artemisia biennis (A. biennis) and A. ciniformis and the petroleum ether extract of A. ciniformis have been demonstrated previously on human cancerous cell lines. In the current study, further fractionation was carried out on the aforementioned extracts and their cytotoxic effects were evaluated on three human cancer cell lines; B16/F10, PC3, and MCF7. F1 to F16, F1’ to F11’, and F1” to F10” were resulted from the fractionation of dichloromethane extracts of A. biennis, A. ciniformis, and petroleum ether extract of A. ciniformis, respectively.Experimental approach:The cytotoxic effects of 16 (F1-F16), 11 (F1’-F11’) and 10 (F1”-F10”) fractions, on B16/F10, PC3, and MCF7 cell lines were assessed using resazurin to measure viability and propidium iodide staining (sub G1) and flow cytometry to detect apoptosis.Findings / Results:The results showed that, some fractions at 100 μg/mL decreased cell viability. F2” in B16/F10 cells, F2, F4-F6, F10’, F11’, and F2” in PC3 cells, and F10’, F11’, and F2” in MCF7 significantly decreased cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner (12.5-50 μg/mL). Among different fractions, F2” demonstrated the most potent cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines (P < 0.001). All of the mentioned fractions (except F11’ on PC3 cells) increased the number of apoptotic cells and showed the cytotoxic effects on cancer cells compared with the control group.Conclusion and implications:A. biennis and A. ciniformis are suggested as the potential sources of cytotoxic phytochemicals. The probable presence of terpenoids, steroids, and alkaloids in the selected fractions is proposed based on the preliminary phytochemical study.

Flavonoids from the Aerial Parts of Artemisia biennis Willd

Background: The current phytochemical study was carried out on a fraction of dried polar extract of aerial parts of Artemisia biennis Willd. which was previously reported to decrease the viability of the rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12 in cell-based antioxidant assays. Methods: A combination of solid phase extraction (SPE) and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) of the hydroethanolic extract was used to purify the compounds. Structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic means, including 1H-NMR and MS analyses. Results: Three isolated and identified flavonoids in this study were luteolin, kaempferol and apigenin. Conclusion: The cytotoxic potential of flavone aglycones, as the major components of selected fraction in the hydroethanolic extract of A. biennis might partly be related to the high death rate of PC12 cells.

Artemisia magellanica. Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil from an Unexplored Endemic Species of Patagonia.

The essential oil composition of the aerial parts of Artemisia magellanica Sch. Bip. (Asteraceae), native to Patagonia, was analyzed by GC-FID-MS. This is the first report on the essential oil composition of A. magellanica. A total of 113 components were identified accounting for 95.6-95.7 % of the oil. The essential oil was characterized by a high percentage of γ-costol (21.0-43.5 %), selina-4,11-diene, (Z)-β-ocimene, (E)-β-farnesene, (Z)-en-yn-dicycloether and 23 different esters (28.7 %). In turn, Artemisia biennis, a species native to North America, which is considered by some authors to be conspecific with A. magellanica, yielded an essential oil that was rich in (Z)-β-ocimene (34.7 %), (E)-β-farnesene (40.0 %) and the acetylenes (Z)- and (E)-en-yn-dicycloethers (11.0 %). Thus, as A. biennis lacks the three main components present in A. magellanica, namely γ-costol, 2-methylbutyl 2-methylbutyrate and selina-4,11-diene, these compounds could be considered as potential chemical markers for A. magellanica since they are absent or only found as minor constituents in other members of the genus. The data presented herein is also useful for genus taxonomy.

Cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of different extracts of Artemisia biennis Willd. on K562 and HL-60 cell lines.

Objective(s):Artemisia is a genus of herbs and small shrubs forms an important part of natural vegetation in Iran. It has been reported that several Artemisia species possess anti-proliferative effects. Considering the value of this genus in anti-cancer researches we have chosen Artemisia biennis for cytotoxic and mechanistic studies.Materials and Methods:In this study we have investigated the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and ethanol: water (1:1 v/v) extracts of A. biennis Willd. on two cancer human cell lines (K562 and HL-60) and J774 as normal cells.Results:CH2Cl2 extract was found to have the highest anti-proliferative effect on cancer cells. IC50 values obtained in AlamarBlue® assay for CH2Cl2 extract were 64.86 and 54.31 µg/ml on K562 and HL-60 cells respectively. In flow cytometry histogram of the cells treated with CH2Cl2 extract, sub-G1 peak was induced. DNA fragmentation, increased in the level of Bax and cleavage of PARP protein all showed the induction of apoptosis with CH2Cl2 extract after 48 hr contact with cells.Conclusion:The results can corroborate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of the CH2Cl2 extract of A. biennis on the K562 and HL-60 cancer cell lines.

Preparation and Characterization of Pullulan-Soy Protein Concentrate Blended Film Incorporated With Zataria multiflora and Artemisia biennis Essential Oils

Background: Adding antimicrobial agents to biodegradable packaging can make a coating that can protect foods and drugs against microbial contamination. Objectives: To evaluate the physical and mechanical properties and antimicrobial activity of soy protein concentrate (SPC) and pullulan films incorporated with Zataria multiflora (ZM) and Artemisia biennis (AB) essential oils (Eos). Methods: In this study, the pullulan and SPC solutions were mixed in a 50:50 ratio and EOs from ZM or AB were incorporated into the film solution at various concentrations. The casting/solvent evaporation method was used for film formation. Physical and mechanical characterization was determined, and the antimicrobial activities of the films were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Escherichia coli by agar diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was also identified. Results: The prepared films were flexible without pores and homogeneous. The addition of EOs significantly increased the thickness and elongation at break but reduced the tensile strength, water vapor permeability, and solubility in water of the films (P < 0.05). Unlike in the control film, the addition of EOs resulted in a dark and yellow film appearance as evidenced by the lower L and greater ΔE and b. In all concentrations, the intensity of the antimicrobial activity of AB was significantly lower than that of ZM (P < 0.05). E. coli and S. aureus had the highest and the lowest resistance to the antimicrobial effect of Eos, respectively. Conclusions: These findings may lead to the utilization of this new antibacterial film that has the potential to be used as packaging material.

Effect of Biennial Wormwood (Artemisia biennis) Interference on Sunflower Yield and Seed Quality

Biennial wormwood has been increasing in Manitoba, Canada, but information is limited on the potential of biennial wormwood to reduce crop yields. Field experiments were conducted over 5 site-yr throughout southern Manitoba in 2010 and 2011 to determine the effect of biennial wormwood density and relative time of biennial wormwood seedling recruitment on sunflower growth, development, yield, and seed quality. Biennial wormwood was broadcast on the soil surface at six densities into sunflowers planted in 75-cm rows, either at the same time the sunflower crop was planted (early weed seedling recruitment) or when the sunflowers were at about the four-leaf stage (late weed seedling recruitment). When biennial wormwood emerged at about the same time as the sunflowers, yield was reduced by up to 46%. Early-recruiting biennial wormwood had minimal effect on sunflower growth and development, but sunflower achene size and individual achene weight were reduced, even when no effect on sunflower yield was observed. Biennial wormwood plants that recruited after the four-leaf stage of the sunflower crop had no effect on sunflower yield or seed quality.

Total Phenolic Contents and Antioxidant Activities of Different Extracts and Fractions from the Aerial Parts of Artemisia biennis Willd.

Total phenolic contents (TPC) of five different extracts (petroleum ether, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, ethanol and ethanol-water) of Artemisia biennis Willd were measured in this work. The antioxidant activity was investigated by three different methods: β-carotene bleaching (BCB) test, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method and ferrous ion chelating (FIC) assay. Among all the extracts analyzed, the hydroethanolic extract exhibited a significantly higher phenolic content and antioxidant activity than other samples. Vacuum liquid chromatography of this extract yielded seven fractions (A to G) which were subjected to all aforementioned experiments. The highest total phenolic content and free radical scavenging activites were present in the same sample (Fraction D) but the only statistically significant correlation between TPC and EC50 values was observed for BCB.

The Biology of Canadian Weeds. 152.Artemisia biennisWilld.

Kegode, G. O. and Darbyshire, S. J. 2013. The Biology of Canadian Weeds. 152. Artemisia biennis Willd. Can. J. Plant Sci. 93: 643–658. Artemisia biennis Willd. (biennial wormwood, armoise bisannuelle) is an annual or biennial species native to western North America. Closely related species occur in Eurasia and South America which are sometimes considered conspecific. Spreading elsewhere in North America occurred along transportation corridors soon after European settlement and it has since been introduced to other parts of the world. As an economically important weed its impact appears to be increasing, possibly due in part to reduced tillage practices. The most significantly affected regions are the Prairie Provinces of Canada and the northern Great Plains in the United States. Many cereal, oilseed, pulse, vegetable and forage crops are affected where it can reduce yields at relatively low densities. A wide range of soil and moisture conditions are tolerated and it can form dense populations in disturbed habitats where its competitive ability is enhanced by prolific seed production, indeterminate seedling emergence and allelopathic effects. Although tolerant of a number of herbicides in different classes, good control can be achieved through careful timing and split application strategies.

Allelopathic potential of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Artemisia biennis&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; (biennial wormwood)

In this study, Artemisia biennis was seeded in a greenhouse and raised to an average plant height of 100 cm. Aboveground plant portions were harvested and partitioned into leaves and stems, and dried; while roots were either removed from some soil (soil – roots) or left in soil (soil + roots). Greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate the allelopathic potential of A. biennis leaves, roots, and stems; and soil – roots, and soil + roots on Solanum melanocerasum plant height and fresh weight plant–1. When 5 g of root and stem biomass were added to soil, S. melanocerasum plant height and fresh weight plant–1 was reduced by 75 and 88%, respectively. In contrast, 5 g of leaf biomass caused an increase in S. melanocerasum plant height and fresh weight plant–1 by 35% and 43%, respectively; whereas, 20 g of leaf biomass depressed both variables by 50% and 65%, also respectively. Plant height was more suppressed when S. melanocerasum grew in soil – roots as opposed to soil + roots, whereas fresh weight plant–1 was similar between soil treatments. S. melanocerasum plant height was reduced by 70 and 55% when grown in soil – roots and soil + roots, respectively. In contrast, S. melanocerasum fresh weight plant–1 was reduced by 76% in both soil treatments. The reduction in S. melanocerasum plant attributes in this study is indicative of the allelopathic potential of A. biennis. Furthermore, A. biennis allelopathy is differenttially expressed among plant parts, primarily in roots. This may explain how A. biennis is capable of dominating a habitat once it becomes established. The presence of extractable compounds with herbicidal activity could increase the potential usefulness of A. biennis.

Screening of chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Artemisia essential oils

The chemical composition of essential oils isolated from aerial parts of seven wild sages from Western Canada – Artemisia absinthium L., Artemisia biennis Willd., Artemisia cana Pursh, Artemisia dracunculus L., Artemisia frigida Willd., Artemisia longifolia Nutt. and Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt., was investigated by GC–MS. A total of 110 components were identified accounting for 71.0–98.8% of the oil composition. High contents of 1,8-cineole (21.5–27.6%) and camphor (15.9–37.3%) were found in Artemisia cana, A. frigida, A. longifolia and A. ludoviciana oils. The oil of A. ludoviciana was also characterized by a high content of oxygenated sesquiterpenes with a 5-ethenyltetrahydro-5-methyl-2-furanyl moiety, of which davanone (11.5%) was the main component identified. A. absinthium oil was characterized by high amounts of myrcene (10.8%), trans-thujone (10.1%) and trans-sabinyl acetate (26.4%). A. biennis yielded an oil rich in ( Z)-beta-ocimene (34.7%), ( E)-beta-farnesene (40.0%) and the acetylenes (11.0%) ( Z)- and ( E)-en-yn-dicycloethers. A. dracunculus oil contained predominantly phenylpropanoids such as methyl chavicol (16.2%) and methyl eugenol (35.8%). Artemisia oils had inhibitory effects on the growth of bacteria ( Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis), yeasts ( Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans), dermatophytes ( Trichophyton rubrum, Microsporum canis, and Microsporum gypseum), Fonsecaea pedrosoi and Aspergillus niger. A. biennis oil was the most active against dermatophytes, Cryptococcus neoformans, Fonsecaea pedrosoi and Aspergillus niger, and A. absinthium oil the most active against Staphylococcus strains. In addition, antioxidant (beta-carotene/linoleate model) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities were determined, and weak activities were found for these oils.

Essential Oil Composition of Artemisia biennisz Willd. and Pulicaria undulata (L.) C.A. Mey., Two Compositae Herbs Growing Wild in Iran

The oils obtained by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of Artemisia biennis and Pulicaria undulate were analyzed by means of GC and GC/MS. The major components of the oil of A. biennis were camphor (24.6%), artemisia ketone (11.4%) and α-pinene (10.2%). α-Pinene (45.7%) and 1,8-cineole (27.1%) were found to be the main constituents of the oil of P. undulata.

Biennial wormwood (Artemisia biennis) competition with soybean (Glycine max)

Biennial wormwood has become a serious weed of several crops in the northern Great Plains of the United States and Prairie Provinces of Canada. Greenhouse replacement series experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of watering regime (stressed and non-stressed) and nitrogen rate (50, 100, 150, and 200 mg kg-1 of soil) on competition between soybean and biennial wormwood. Soybean height was reduced after 9 weeks of competition with biennial wormwood compared with soybean grown in monoculture, whereas biennial wormwood plants were taller when grown with soybean than in monoculture. The change in plant height indicated that biennial wormwood height was increased due to interspecific competition, whereas soybean height was reduced. When moisture was limited, the relative yield of biennial wormwood was greater than that of soybean, indicating that biennial wormwood was more aggressive than soybean. Soybean growth was unaffected by an increase in nitrogen rate, whereas biennial wormwood fresh weight was 30% greater when the nitrogen rate was increased from 50 to 200 mg kg-1. Biennial wormwood aggressivity tended to increase as the nitrogen rate was increased from 50 to 200 mg kg-1. Overall results suggest that the negative impact of biennial wormwood competition with soybeans under field conditions may increase when soil moisture is limited and nitrogen fertility is increased.

Artemisia biennis (biennial wormwood) control is influenced by plant size and weed flora at time of herbicide application

Artemisia biennis has become a major weed of several crops within the northern Great Plains of the US and Prairie Provinces of Canada. It is expanding its habitat range and is now a problem weed across the North Central region of the United States. Field and greenhouse studies were conducted to evaluate the role of weed size, weed flora, and herbicide dose and timing on control efficacy. Two separate field studies were conducted in close proximity to evaluate the effect of late post-emergence herbicide application timing on A. biennis control. The first study had an infestation of Xanthium strumarium and the second study had an additional infestation of Amaranthus retroflexus. In both field studies, X. strumarium and A. retroflexus were substantially taller than A. biennis at each application timing. When X. stumarium was present, A. biennis control was 50–90% with glyphosate, and 40–75% with bentazon. When A. retroflexus was present, A. biennis control with either bentazon or glyphosate was greater than 82%. Greenhouse studies evaluated the effect of dose of bentazon, glufosinate, and glyphosate on control of various growth sizes of A. biennis seedlings ranging from 6 to 47 cm. Glyphosate applied at 840 and 1680 g ae ha −1 provided greater than 92% control of all sizes of A. biennis seedlings, while bentazon provided at least 80% control of A. biennis up to 20 cm tall. Control with glufosinate was generally poor regardless of seedling size or herbicide dose.

Biennial Wormwood (Artemisia biennis Willd.)1

“One Queen Artemisia, as old stories tell, When deprived of her husband she loved so well, In respect for the love and affection he show'd her, She reduc'd him to dust and she drank up the powder.” Another on the said Occasion (lines 1 to 4), Robert Burns (1759 to 1796). Biennial wormwood (Artemisia biennis Willd.) is an aggressive and prolific seed-producing plant of the Asteraceae. The genus Artemisia belongs to the Anthemidaeae, or mayweed, tribe and includes various annual, biennial, and perennial herbs and shrubs that are often aromatic and bitter (Hall and Clements 1923; McArthur and Welch 1986). There is little consensus about the exact number of species within the genus Artemisia (Stebbins 1974); estimates include “over 100” (Munz and Keck 1968), “nearly 300” (Kelsey and Shafizadeh 1979), “346” sensu stricto (Ling 1994), “about 400” (Greger 1982), and “more than 400” (Polyakov 1995) species.