Artemisia Herba-alba Essential Oil Research Articles

Essential oils from Mediterranean aromatic plants Artemisia herba-alba, Artemisia absinthium and Mentha longifolia to improve blueberry shelf life

The Mediterranean Basin is particularly rich in aromatic plants with essential oils whose composition and properties are still to be investigated. The aims of this work were to: investigate the chemical composition of essential oils from three typical Spanish aromatic species: Artemisia herba-alba, Artemisia absinthium and Mentha longifolia; evaluate the antifungal potential of essential oils against seven plant pathogenic and postharvest fungi; analyse the effectiveness of the Mentha longifolia essential oil in extending the blueberry fruit shelf life. The main compounds for the Artemisia herba-alba essential oil were camphor (29.8%), trans-thujone (22%), 1,8-cineole (14.5%) and cis-thujone (10.8%). In the A. absithium essential oil, they were cis-cryshanthemyl acetate (35.4%), cis-β-epoxiocimene (36%) and trans-β-epoxiocimene (10.4%). α-Terpineol acetate (32.6%), pulegone (14.2%) and 8-acetoxy carvotanacetone (10.3%) were the most important molecules in the obtained composition of the Mentha longifolia essential oil. Different bioassays were performed at the 300 μg/mL and 600 μg/mL doses using the distinct essential oils in potato dextrose agar culture medium. The Artemisia herba-alba and Artemisia absinthium essential oils at 300 μg/mL were not very effective. The Mentha longifolia essential oil strongly inhibited mycelial growth at the two tested doses, but it totally inhibited the growth of Curvularia hawaiiensis, Fusarium nygamai and Verticilliun dahliae at 600 μg/mL. The blueberries coated with the Mentha longifolia essential oil solution obtained a statistically higher percentage of healthy fruit than the control. They could be considered an ecofriendly alternative for postharvest treatment, and for maintaining the quality and turgidity of these berries during storage.

Chemical composition and toxicity of Artemisia herba-alba essential oil against Cydia pomonella L. (Lepidoptera:Tortricidae) under laboratory conditions

The codling moth Cydia pomonella L. (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a destructive pest of apples and pears worldwide. Due to the phytotoxic effect of chemical fumigant on postharvest apple, botanical insecticides are an interesting alternative to synthetic chemical insecticides regarding their low environmental impact. Hence, in the present study, we investigated the chemical composition and fumigant toxicity of Artemisia herba-alba essential oil against the fifth-instar codling moth, under laboratory conditions. In total, 49 compounds were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The major constituents determined were dextro-camphor (30.60%), 2,6-dimethyl-1,3,6-heptatriene (26.71%), safranal (7.04%), borneol (3.94%) and eucalyptol (3.47%). A. herba-alba essential oil showed strong larvicidal activity, with minimum lethal concentration LC50 values of 13.49 and 04.45 μl L-1 air at 24 h and 48 h, respectively. The LT50 values at the lowest (1.81 μl L-1 air) and highest oil concentrations (18.18 μl L-1 air) were, in turn, 59.35 to 19.52 h. The obtained results indicated that essential oil of A. herba-alba may have a potential to be developed as a botanical fumigant against the fifth-instar codling moth.

Preparation and Characterization of a Biopesticide Based on Artemisia herba-alba Essential Oil Encapsulated with Succinic Acid-Modified Beta-Cyclodextrin

Numerous essential oils have been researched as biopesticides because of their effectiveness and environmental safety. Nevertheless, encapsulation is necessary to improve its physical, chemical, and biological properties. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the physicochemical characteristics and antifungal activity of the Artemisia herba-alba essential oil (HAEO) encapsulated in succinic acid-modified β-cyclodextrin (SACD). Hydrodistillation was used to extract a yellowish oil from the plant A. herba-alba, and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry was performed to determine the chemical composition. The scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, and docking studies were combined to validate the molecular inclusion of HAEO with SACD. The antifungal activity was examined against Botrytis cinerea by direct contact with a potato dextrose agar. The results showed that the main compound in HAEO was α-thujone (65.0%). Furthermore, HAEO has been successfully incorporated into SACD with a binding energy value of −5.3 kJ·mol−1, and its thermal stability improved. At a 0.1% concentration, HAEO in encapsulated form showed a higher ability to inhibit B. cinerea (38.34%), compared to EO in free form (12.00%). Thus, these findings produced evidence that the strategy of encapsulating EOs by SACD can develop novel B. cinerea inhibitors and a promising alternative biopesticide.

Simplex-centroid design as innovative approach in the optimization of antimicrobial effect of Thymus satureioides, Myrtus communis and Artemisia herba alba essential oils against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candidatropicalis

Essential Oils (EOs) known since Antiquity, and initially obtained by maceration of aromatic plants, are used as diseases' remedies because they contain valuable therapeutic components. Antimicrobial effect's evaluation of formulations established by an augmented centered mixing plan for three Moroccan medicinal and aromatic plants' essential oils (EOs): Thymus satureioides (T. satureioides), Myrtus communis (M. communis) and Artemisia herba alba (A. herba alba) against Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Candida tropicalis (C. tropicalis). The identification of E.Os chemical compounds was made using Gaz chromatography (GC) and Gaz chromatography coupled to Mass spectrometry (GC/MS).Whereas, the optimization of their antimicrobial effect was performed by experimental design methodology (mixture design) coupled to microdilution method based on Minimal Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) determination. Results showed that the main components are borneol (34.26%) and α-pinene (31.21%); borneol (27.15%) and 1,8-cineole (21.33%); camphor (14.67%), chrysanthenone (14.10%), and β-thujone (12.60%) for T. satureioides, M. communis and A. herba alba respectively. Optimal mixtures composed of 60% and 40% of T. satureioides and M. communis E.Os; 72% and 28% of T. satureioides and A. Herba alba E.Os; 75% of thyme E.O and 25% of mugwort E.O; predicted the highest antimicrobial effect against E. coli, S. aureus and C. tropicalis, respectively. This study highlights the antimicrobial effect of EOs tertiary mixtures through using mixture design methodology, which may contribute to a successful application in pharmaceutical, food, or cosmetic industries.

Moroccan Endemic Artemisia herba-alba Essential Oil: GC-MS Analysis and Antibacterial and Antifungal Investigation

In Morocco, the endemic Artemisia herba-alba is well known by its traditional uses and health benefits. The search for natural, safe, and effective antibacterial and antifungal agents from plants is in high demand due to microbial and fungal resistance to conventional synthetic antibiotics and antifungal drugs. In this study, the A. herba-alba was collected from the region of Fez-Boulemane during the periods of March, June, and September. Essential oils (EOs) were extracted from the aerial part of the plant by the hydrodistillation method. The chemical constituents were determined using GC-MS as analytical tools. The antimicrobial activities of different oils were tested using the macrodilution method. The results showed the difference in the yields between the three EOs (0.49, 1.74, 1.30% (mL/100 g)), respectively, as well as in their corresponding chemical compositions. The main constituents revealed by GC-MS are higher contents of oxygenated monoterpenes (84.7, 84.4, 81%), such as cis chrysanthenyl acetate (30, 26.7, 27.6%), β-thujone (23.2, 12.9, 15.4%), camphor (9.76, 14.3, 15.8%), chrysanthenone (2.4, 1, 14%), 1,8-cineole (1.5, 11.7, 11.8%), trans β-dihydroterpineol (7.8, 7.2, 6.9%), α-thujone (4.8, 3, 5.4%), and sesquiterpenic davanone (3.9, 1.5, 1.4%), respectively. The three EOs biological activities’ results showed significant antimicrobial effects against four bacteria tested (E. coli, B. subtilis, S. aureus, M. luteus), with the MIC values ranging from 0.1 to 0.03% (v/v), as well as interesting antifungal effects on both wood rot fungi against four fungi examined (G. trabeum, P. placenta, C. puteana, C. versicolor) and molds against three microorganisms tested (A. niger, P. digitatum, P. expansum), with MIC values ranging from 0.2 to 0.03% (v/v) and 0.4 to 0.03% (v/v), respectively. The June and September EO samples showed more potent activities than those collected during March. Our research findings showed quantitative variability in both EO contents and chemical compositions, which could be due to the phenological stages, climatic conditions of growth, and harvesting periods. The potent results of the antimicrobial/antifungal activities were provided by the EOs of June and September and might be correlated to the contribution and synergism effect of all oxygenated monoterpenes. These results support the possible application of A. herba-alba EOs as natural and safe antibacterial agents, and an effective alternative to synthetic drugs, enabling the prevention and treatment of certain pathogenic infections in food and health, and the preservation of wood alteration against fungi.

Composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Artemisia herba-alba essential oil from northeast Algeria (Khenchela region)

Plants are traditionally utilized in Algeria to treat many disorders, such as Artemisia herba-alba (Asteraceae family), which is a North African species. In Algeria, it is characterized by an excellent fodder fee and by a composition of essential oils having antiseptic, vermifuge, and antispasmodic properties. The present study aims to investigate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and chemical composition of the essential oil of Artemisia herba-alba found in northeast Algeria (Khenchela region). Artemisia herba-alba essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and its chemical composition was identified by GC/MS. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the extracted essential oil was determined using the DPPH assay. The agar disc diffusion method was used to determine how well the essential oil killed germs. The essential oil was analyzed by GC/MS, revealing 35 constituents, of which the major ones were identified as Thujone (10.55%), borneol (5.98%), and eucalyptol (1.63%). The observed IC50 values for the DPPH assay were 18.44 ? 0.006 mg/mL. On the other hand, this oil proved effective against all tested strains in the 22.67 ? 3.215 mm range, including Listeria innocua CIP 74915.

Effects of Essential Oil Fumigation on Potato Sprouting at Room-Temperature Storage.

As a global staple, potato plays an important role in meeting human dietary needs and alleviating malnutrition. Potato sprouting during storage is a major issue that threatens food security by increasing food waste and must therefore be controlled. Biopesticides, including essential oils (EOs), have a history of use as potato sprout suppressants, and interest in their use has been renewed in response to stricter regulations on CIPC, the dominant chemical sprout suppressant over the last half-century. We evaluated twenty-one EOs as potential sprout suppressants in cv. Ranger Russet potatoes at room-temperature storage. Treatment with Artemisia herba-alba EO was the most effective at suppressing both sprout length and sprout number over a 90-day storage period. GC-MS-FID analysis of A. herba-alba EO revealed the presence of α-thujone, hexadecenoic acid, β-thujone, camphor, sabinene, and camphene at amounts >1%. Cistus ladanifer, Ocimum basilicum, Ormenis mixta, and Salvia sclarea EOs significantly reduced sprout length for shorter storage periods, whereas Cinnamomum zeylanicum (bark) and Laurus nobilis EOs also significantly reduced sprout number. Syzygium aromaticum (clove) EO did not significantly suppress sprouting at room temperature. These results indicate the potential of certain EOs to be used as sprout suppressants for room-temperature potato storage, providing needed alternatives for both organic and conventional potato industries.

Artemisia herba alba Essential Oil: GC/MS analysis, antioxidant activities with molecular docking on S protein of SARS-CoV-2

This study was conceived to work on Artemisia herba alba essential oils (EOs) originating from Eastern Morocco. We investigated the chemical properties and determined the antiradical scavenging activity. The GC-MS technique was used to elucidate the chemical composition of the two studied regions. Jerada Eo was distinguished by the existence of 1,6-Dimethylhepta-1,3,5-triene (36.44%), Camphor (22.50%), and Thujone (7.21%). While, Taourirt EO was found to be rich in Camphor (55.31%), Eucalyptol (14.64%), and Camphene (9.95%). Moreover, the free radical scavenging ability (DPPH•), and ferric reducing power assay (FRAP) were conducted. The EOs tested are found to be weakly active and to have important antioxidant potential. The docking study was also carried out by theoretical investigation with molecular docking of four active predominating components (1,6-dimethylhepta-1,3,5-triene; Chrysanthone; Eucalyptol; Alpha-pinene) against S protein of SARS-CoV‑2, and all the four ligands were found to bind to the S protein 6CS2 of SARS-CoV-2 differently and that the stable complex formed as a result of these interactions may prevent the binding of ACE2 with the spike S protein of SARS-CoV-2.

Chromatography analysis, in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities of essential oil of Artemisia herba-alba Asso of Boussaâda, Algeria

Abstract. Kadri M, Yahia A, Goubi S, Mekhedmi NE, Selmane M, Chemsa AE. 2022. Chromatography analysis, in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities of essential oil of Artemisia herba-alba Asso of Boussaâda, Algeria. Biodiversitas 23: 4424-4431. Artemisia herba-alba Asso (Asteraceae family) is widespread in the semi-arid and arid steppes of North Africa. This plant is used for traditional treatment. The present study aims to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of A. herba-alba essential oil found in southwest Algeria (Boussaâda region). Artemisia herba-alba essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation method, and its chemical composition was identified by using GC/MS analysis. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the extracted essential oil was determined using the DPPH assay. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was determined by the agar disc diffusion method. The essential oil extracted from the aboveground portions by hydrodistillation was analyzed by GC/MS. 38 components were identified, making up 69.37% of the oil, the most important of which is thujone (9.875%), camphor (3.762%), cis-p-menthadien-1-of (3.572%), and isoborneol (2.334%). The observed IC50 values of the DPPH assay were 7.31 ± 0.088 mg/mL. On the other hand, this oil was active against all strains tested, this activity varied from 12.77 ± 0.510 mm on Listeria innocua CIP 74915. These results demonstrate that the plant tested could be a potential source of natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents.

Biological activities of essential oils from Moroccan plants against the honey bee ectoparasitic mite, Varroa destructor

ABSTRACT This study describes the biological activities of six Moroccan essential oils against adults of Varroa destructor and young pupae of A. mellifera under laboratory conditions. The obtained results show that the tested essential oils exhibit a toxic and repellent effect against V. destructor adults and are less toxic for young pupae of A. mellifera. Indeed, Thymus willdenowii essential oil exhibits the highest acaricidal effect against V. destructor adults (LC50 = 1.04 and LC90 = 5.12 µL/L air), followed by Thymus munbyanus (LC50 = 2.26 and LC90 = 6.78 µL/L air), Lavandula maroccana (LC50 = 2.49 and LC90 = 8.41 µL/L air) and Mentha pulegium (LC50 = 3.19 and LC90 = 9.66 µL/L air). The highest repellent effect for the studied essential oils against V. destructor adults was observed for T. willdenowii essential oil (ED50 = 0.42 and ED90 = 1.26 µL/L air). Regarding the insecticidal effect, all tested essential oils revealed lower toxicity against young pupae of A. mellifera compared to their acaricidal activity. Artemisia herba-alba essential oil (LC50 = 10.53 µL/L air, LC90 = 18.62 µL/L air) produces high mortality against young pupae of A. mellifera among tested essential oils. The bioactivities of different essential oils were discussed based on their bioactive compounds.

Effectiveness of essential oil from the Artemisia herba-alba aerial parts against multidrug-resistant bacteria isolated from food and hospitalized patients

Abstract. Ed-Dra A, Filali FR, Presti VL, Zekkori B, Nalbone L, Elsharkawy ER, Bentayeb A, Giarrtana F. 2021. Effectiveness of essential oil from the Artemisia herba-alba aerial parts against multidrug-resistant bacteria isolated from food and hospitalized patients. Biodiversitas 22: 2995-3005. The World Health Organization has sounded the warning on the diffusion of multidrug resistance (MDR) bacteria, requiring solutions and alternatives to solve the therapeutic failure that may occur. This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant activity and bactericidal effectiveness against MDR bacteria of Artemisia herba-alba essential oil (A-EO) collected from semi-arid region of Morocco. Chemical composition of the A-EO was determined by Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionisation Detector and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, while the antioxidant activity was performed by DPPH scavenging activity and ?-carotene bleaching assay. Antibacterial activity of A-EO, performed by disc diffusion assay and broth dilution method, was tested against: four MDR strains (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella Typhimurium and Enterococcus faecalis) isolated from food matrices, two (Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) from hospitalized patients, and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 as reference strain. Davanone was the main compound among the 17 identified. An antioxidant activity with IC50 of 1.13±0.02 mg/mL, EC50 of 2.12±0.05 mg/mL and RC50 of 0.87±0.02 mg/mL was observed. A weak activity against P. aeruginosa was observed, while it was intermediate or high against the other bacteria. This study confirms that A-EO could be a suitable alternative to antibiotics in the infection treatment related to MDR bacteria.

Effect of Artemisia herba alba essential oil on the expression of ADA and ODC1 genes in human breast cancer cells MCF-7

هدف: هدف از این پژوهش اثر اسانس گیاه Artemisia herba alba بر درصد زنده­مانی و بیان ژن­های ODC1 و ADA در رده سلول‌های سرطان پستان انسانی MCF-7 است.مواد و روش‏ها: اسانس گیاه A. herba alba با استفاده از کلونجرگرفته شد. اجزا اسانس توسط دستگاه GC-Mass آنالیز شد. رده سلولی MCF-7 تحت تاثیر غلظت­های افزایشی اسانس از 01/0 تا 03/0 میکروگرم بر میلی­لیتر قرار گرفت. سپس سمیت سلولی اسانس به‌روش رنگ‌سنجی MTT بررسی و بیان ژن­های ODC1 و ADA با روش Real-time PCR سنجیده شد.نتایج: بیش‌ترین ترکیبات اسانس شامل Comphor، Chrysanthenyl Acetate و Davanone بودند. نتایج نشان داد که با افزایش غلظت اسانس سمیت سلولی به‌طور قابل توجه افزایش پیدا می­کند و پارامتر IC50 در زمان­های 24، 48 و 72 ساعت 02104/0، 01858/0، 01751/0 میکروگرم بر میلی­لیتر محاسبه شد. به‌علاوه در غلظت ­02/0 میکروگرم بر میلی­لیتر اسانس بیان ژن ODC1 و ADA به‌ترتیب 2 و 5/1 برابر نمونه کنترل کاهش یافت.نتیجه‏گیری: به‌نظر می­رسد سمیت سلولی اسانس گیاه A. herba alba که در این تحقیق مشاهده شد نتیجه کاهش بیان ژن­های ODC1 و ADA در سلول­های سرطان پستانی رده سلولی MCF-7 باشد.

Insecticidal activity of Artemisia herba-alba and effects on wheat flour quality in storage

This study investigated insecticidal activity of Artemisia herba-alba essential oil (EO) against Tribolium castaneum adults and its impacts on wheat flour quality. GC/MS analysis of the EOs of A. herba-alba showed a predominance of β-thujone (27.79%), camphor (22.65%), chrysanthenone (17.97%) and α-thujone (13.56%). Therefore, the median effective concentrations (LC50 value) of Artemisia herba-alba essential oil used for preliminary screening tests were evaluated. Insect mortalities, occupation space conditions and wheat flour quality were investigated after 30 and 60 days of storage period. The results showed that mortality varies depending on occupation space and storage duration, which reached 42.15% and 59.8% after 30 and 60 days of storage, respectively. Furthermore, moisture, ash, gluten, falling number contents were examined according to international standards. Indeed, rheological dough parameters were examined using a Chopin alveograph and according to ISO standards. Results indicated that A. herba-alba essential oil changed wheat flour physicochemical parameters but did not affect dough rheological parameters which correspond to international ISO standards.

Green approach to corrosion inhibition of stainless steel in phosphoric acid of Artemesia herba albamedium using plant extract

Essential oil from aerial parts of Artemisia herba-alba from Morocco was hydrodistilled and its chemical composition oil was investigated by capillary GC and GC/MS. The major components were 1,8-cineole (35.6%) and camphor (24.1%). Artemisia herba-alba essential oil AHAO was tested as corrosion inhibitor of stainless steel (SS) in 1M H3PO4 using potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements (EIS) and scanning electronically microscopy (SEM) studies. The results obtained showed that the essential oil of Artemisia reduces the corrosion rate. Tafel polarization method indicates that the plant extract behaves as a mixed type inhibitor. The inhibition efficiency increased with inhibitor concentration to attain 88% at 1g.L−1 of oil at 298K. Nyquist diagrams obtained from impedance studies provide results confirming the anti-corrosion effect of the studied plant. The temperature effect on the corrosion behavior of (SS) in 1M H3PO4 without and with AHAO at 1g.L−1 was studied in the temperature range from 298 to 353K. Thermodynamic parameters suggested that the adsorption is spontaneous and exothermic process and support physical adsorption mechanism. The experimental data fits well into the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. SEM/EDS studies provide the confirmatory evidence for the protection of (SS) by the green inhibitor. The results obtained from these methods used are in good agreement.

Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Artemisia herba-alba Asso Essential Oil from Middle Atlas, Morocco

The purpose of this study was to determine the chemical composition and to evaluate the antioxidant and antibacterial effects of the Moroccan Artemisia herba-alba Asso essential oil against foodborne pathogens. The essential oil of Artemisia herba-alba was analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy. The antibacterial activity was assessed against three bacterial strains isolated from foodstuff and three bacterial strains referenced by the ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) using the disk diffusion assay and the macrodilution method. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl) method. The fourteen compounds of the Artemisia herba-alba essential oil were identified; the main components were identified as β-thujone, chrysanthenone, α-terpineol, α-thujone, α-pinene, and bornyl acetate. The results of the antibacterial activity obtained showed a sensitivity of the different strains to Artemisia herba-alba essential oil with an inhibition diameter of 8.50 to 17.00 mm. Concerning the MICs (minimum inhibitory concentrations), the essential oil exhibited much higher antibacterial activity with MIC values of 2.5 μl/ml against Bacillus subtilis ATCC and Lactobacillus sp. The essential oil was found to be active by inhibiting free radicals with an IC50 (concentration of an inhibitor where the response is reduced by half) value of 2.9 μg/ml. These results indicate the possible use of the essential oil on food systems as an effective inhibitor of foodborne pathogens, as a natural antioxidant, and for potential pharmaceutical applications. However, further research is needed in order to determine the toxicity, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects in edible products.

Chemical Profiling and Insecticidal Activity of <em>Artemisia herba-alba</em> Essential Oil Against Papaya Mealybug <em>Paracoccus marginatus</em> ‎(Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

The current study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and insecticidal activity of Artemisia herba-alba essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation and solvent extraction against papaya mealybug Paracoccus marginatus. The essential oil was analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and the insecticidal activity was recorded for different times and concentrations under laboratory conditions. According to GC-MS results, the chemical components detected of essential oil isolated by ‎hydrodistillation and solvent extraction were 52 and 62 compounds of both extraction methods, the main components of essential oil of hydrodistillation method were eucalyptol (32.81%), &alpha-pinene (28.62%) and linalol (10.18%) while the major components of essential oil isolated by solvent extract were pentadecanoic acid (16.69%) and dihomo-‎‎.gamma.-linolenic acid (15.2%). The essential oil of hydrodistillation method exhibited more insecticidal ‎activity than solvent extract method against P. marginatus, 1000 mg/L of essential oil isolated by ‎hydrodistillation achieved 100% ‎mortality of papaya mealybugs after 120, ‎‎168 h of treatment with LC50 values which ‎was‎‎ 65.362 mg/L after 168 h from treatment and LT50 value which was ‎22.386 h‎‏‎‎ at 1000 mg/L.‎ The findings reveal and propose that the essential oil of A. herba-albais a rich by bioactive components and it is a prospective source of botanical insecticides.

Artemisia herba-alba Asso. essential oil antibacterial activity and acute toxicity

Artemisia herba-alba Asso., known as the desert wormwood, is a medicinal plant and its essential oil is used in Algerian herbal medicine. In the present study the in vitro antibacterial activity against 21 bacterial strains and chemical composition of Artemisia herba-alba essential oil were investigated. The acute toxicity by determination of the median lethal dose was also studied. The results of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis of the essential oil gave 19 compounds accounting for 98.7% and the major constituent was camphor with an amount of 50.7%. A significant antibacterial effect was observed with important zones of inhibition against Klebsiella oxytoca (31.3 mm) by disc diffusion method and against Acinetobacter baumannnii (47.6 mm) by microatmoshphere method. The minimum inhibitory concentration and the minimum bactericidal concentration values were ranging from 5 to 10 mg mL−1 and 10–20 mg mL−1, respectively. Moreover, their ratio exhibited by the essential oil was 2. The bactericidal end point was achieved after 24 h of exposure to the essential oil, for all the bacteria assayed. The oil was slightly toxic with a median lethal dose of 615 mg kg−1. The results of this study suggest that the essential oil of Artemisia herba-alba can be a source of natural antibacterial agents with potential pharmacological applications.

Essential Oil Variability in Natural Populations of Artemisia campestris (L.) and Artemisia herba-alba (Asso) and Incidence on Antiacetylcholinesterase and Antioxidant Activities.

The intraspecific variability of Artemisia herba-alba and A. campestris essential oils and the evaluation of their antioxidant and antiacetylcholinesterase activities were determined. Artemisia herba-alba essential oil was found rich in camphor (19.61%), α-thujone (19.40%), β-thujone (9.44%), chrysanthenone (9.26%), and trans-sabinyl acetate (8.43%). The major compounds of A. campestris essential oil were germacrene D (16.38%), β-pinene (16.33%), and limonene (9.17%). Significant variation in the essential oil composition was observed among populations of each species. The divergence between populations was attributed to the variation of some climatic factors such as altitude, annual rainfall, winter cold stress, summer precipitation, summer drought stress, evapotranspiration, and humidity. Artemisia herba-alba and A. campestris essential oils exhibited promising antioxidant and antiacetylcholinesterase activities. The level of activity varied significantly according to the species and the essential oil. The highest scavenging activity (IC50 = 0.14 mg/ml) and the uppermost capacity to prevent β-carotene bleaching (IC50 = 0.10 mg/ml) characterized A. campestris from population 6. A. campestris population 3 possessed the uppermost ability to reduce ferric ions (450.7 μmol Fe2+ /g EO). The population 2 of A. campestris showed the strongest antiacetylcholinesterase activity (IC50 = 0.02 mg/ml). The variation of these activities between the essential oils was explained by their composition differences.

Analysis of the major chiral compounds of Artemisia herba-alba essential oils (EOs) using reconstructed vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra: En route to a VCD chiral signature of EOs

An unprecedented methodology was developed to simultaneously assign the relative percentages of the major chiral compounds and their prevailing enantiomeric form in crude essential oils (EOs). In a first step the infrared (IR) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra of the crude essential oils were recorded and in a second step they were modelized as a linear weighted combination of the IR and VCD spectra of the individual spectra of pure enantiomer of the major chiral compounds present in the EOs. The VCD spectra of enantiomer of known enantiomeric excess shall be recorded if they are not yet available in a library of VCD spectra. For IR, the spectra of pure enantiomer or racemic mixture can be used. The full spectra modelizations were performed using a well known and powerful mathematical model (least square estimation: LSE) which resulted in a weighting of each contributing compound. For VCD modelization, the absolute value of each weighting represented the percentage of the associate compound while the attached sign addressed the correctness of the enantiomeric form used to build the model. As an example, a model built with the non-prevailing enantiomer will show a negative sign of the weighting value. For IR spectra modelization, the absolute value of each weighting represented the percentage of the compounds without of course accounting for the chirality of the prevailing enantiomers. Comparison of the weighting values issuing from IR and VCD spectra modelizations is a valuable source of information: if they are identical, the EOs are composed of nearly pure enantiomers, if they are different the chiral compounds of the EOs are not in an optically pure form. The method was applied on four samples of essential oil of Artemisia herba-alba in which the three major compounds namely (−)-α-thujone, (+)-β-thujone and (−)-camphor were found in different proportions as determined by GC–MS and chiral HPLC using polarimetric detector. In order to validate the methodology, the modelization of the VCD spectra was performed on purpose using the individual VCD spectra of (−)-α-thujone, (+)-β-thujone and (+)-camphor instead of (−)-camphor. During this work, the absolute configurations of (−)-α-thujone and (+)-β-thujone were confirmed by comparison of experimental and calculated VCD spectra as being (1S,4R,5R) and (1S,4S,5R) respectively.

Artemisia herba-alba essential oil from Buseirah (South Jordan): Chemical characterization and assessment of safe antifungal and anti-inflammatory doses

Ethnopharmacologic relevanceArtemisia herba-alba Asso (“desert wormwood” in English; “armoise blanche” in French; “shaih” in Arabic), is a medicinal and strongly aromatic plant widely used in traditional medicine by many cultures since ancient times. It is used to treat inflammatory disorders (colds, coughing, bronchitis, diarrhea), infectious diseases (skin diseases, scabies, syphilis) and others (diabetes, neuralgias). In Jordanian traditional medicine, this plant is used as antiseptic and against skin diseases, scabies, syphilis, fever as well as menstrual and nervous disorders. Aim of the studyConsidering the traditional medicinal uses and the lack of scientific studies addressing the cellular and molecular players involved in these biological activities, the present study was designed to unveil the antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities of A. herba-alba Asso essential oil at doses devoid of toxicity to mammalian cells. Materials and methodsChemical analysis of A. herba-alba essential oil isolated by hydrodistillation from aerial parts was carried out by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The antifungal activity (minimal inhibitory concentrations and minimal lethal concentrations) was evaluated against yeasts, dermatophyte and Aspergillus strains. In order to explore the mechanisms behind the anti-fungal effect of the essential oil, the germ tube inhibition assay was evaluated using Candida albicans. The assessment of cell viability was accomplished using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and the in vitro anti-inflammatory potential of A. herba-alba oil at the periphery and central nervous system was evaluated by measuring nitric oxide (NO) production using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse macrophages and microglia, respectively. ResultsOxygen-containing monoterpenes are the main compounds of the oil, namely 1,8-cineole (20.1%), β-thujone (25.1%), α-thujone (22.9%) and camphor (10.5%). Among the fungal strains tested, the oil demonstrated potential against Trichophyton rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosum, with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal lethal concentration (MCL) values of 0.32mg/mL and Cryptococcus neoformans with MIC of 0.64mg/mL. The oil revealed a strong inhibitory effect on germ tube formation in C. albicans with inhibition of filamentation around 90% at a concentration 0.16mg/mL. Importantly, the essential oil significantly inhibited NO production evoked by LPS without cytotoxicity at concentrations up to 1.25µL/mL in macrophages and up to 0.32µL/mL in microglia. Furthermore, evaluation of cell viability in RAW 264.7 macrophages, BW2 microgliacells and HaCaT keratinocytes showed no cytotoxicity at concentrations up to 0.32μL/mL. ConclusionsIt was possible to find appropriate doses of A. herba-alba oil with both antifungal and anti-inflammatory activities and without detrimental effects towards several mammalian cell types. These findings add significant information to the pharmacological activity of A. herba-alba essential oil, specifically to its antifungal and anti-inflammatory therapeutic value, thus justifying and reinforcing the use of this plant in traditional medicine.