Artemisia Roxburghiana Research Articles

Seed nutrient is more stable than leaf in response to changing multiple resources in an alpine meadow

BackgroundIt has been long thought that nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) concentrations and their ratios (N:P) in metabolically active or functional organs (i.e., leaves) are less responsive to environmental changes. Little attention, however, has been paid to the reproductive organs—seeds, while seeds may maintain their nutrients more stable for the evolutionary fitness of next generation.MethodsHere, we conducted a field experiment of N, P addition and drought in an alpine meadow, aiming to compare the difference of leaf and seed nutrients and stoichiometric ratios in response to these resource treatments and their interactions. Four dominant species were selected among grass and forb functional groups, including Elymus nutans, Deschampsia caespitosa, Artemisia roxburghiana and Polygonum viviparum.ResultsUnder natural conditions, leaf N and P concentrations were consistently lower than seed among species. However, leaf nutrients were much more sensitive than seed nutrients to N and P addition. Specifically, N or P addition accordingly increased leaf N or P concentration by 22.20–44.24% and 85.54–93.61%, while only enhanced seed N or P concentration by 5.15–17.20% and 15.17–32.72%, respectively. Leaf N or P concentration was significantly reduced by P or N addition, but seed nutrients remained unchanged. In contrast, drought did not change both organ nutrients. Similarly, nutrient addition and drought had synergistic interactions on leaf nutrients, but not on seed nutrients.ConclusionsThis study highlights that seed nutrient concentrations could be more stable than metabolically active leaf organ when facing multidimensional resource changes. This complements the traditional view on the ‘Stable Leaf Nutrient Hypothesis’ with the involvement of reproductive organs. The less responsiveness of seed nutrients suggests the adaptive strategy to ensure the success of next generations and long-term plant demographic stability.

Formulation and evaluation of SGLT2 inhibitory effect of a polyherbal mixture inspired from Ayurvedic system of medicine

Background and aimThe ingredients viz., Artemisia roxburghiana, Cissampelos pareira, Stephania glabra, Drimia indica, Roylea cinerea, Tinospora sinensis and Curcuma longa of the present formulation are used to treat diabetes in the Indian traditional medical system. Adopting the concept of multiple herbal mixtures for better therapeutic effects from the ancient Ayurvedic text Sarangdhar Samhita, the present study aimed to develop a polyherbal formulation (PHF) of seven herbs and to evaluate its sodium-glucose cotransporter protein-2 (SGLT2) inhibitory effect on type 2 diabetic rats. Experimental procedureStreptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg/kg) and nicotinamide (NAM) (120 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally administered to induce type 2 diabetes in Wistar rats. The animals were divided into 5 groups viz. normal control, diabetic control, positive control (dapagliflozin at 0.1 mg/kg) and two test groups (PHF at 250 and 500 mg/kg). Various parameters including blood glucose, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), bilirubin, triglycerides and creatinine were measured. Results and conclusionThe treatment with PHF (250 and 500 mg/kg) showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in blood glucose levels by 56.37% and 58.17%, respectively. The levels of SGOT, SGPT and bilirubin were significantly reduced in PHF-fed diabetic rats. Histopathological examination revealed no major changes in the treated groups as compared to the normal control. The molecular docking study showed strong binding of β-sitosterol, insulanoline, warifteine, dehydrocorydalmine, taraxerol acetate, lupeol, corydalmine and luteolin to SGLT2 protein. The present study concludes that PHF has promising antidiabetic activity via inhibiting SGLT2 protein without showing any adverse effects.

Plant Mediated Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Its Anti - microbial and Anti - oxidant Activities

In this research paper we have reported the single pot synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) for the first time by utilisation of leaves extract of Himalayan medicinal plant Artemisia roxburghiana. The principle of green chemistry was utilised at maximum possible level to make the synthesis not only environmentally compatible but also cost effective. The obtained nanoparticles are of good shape and size as confirmed by the instrumental techniques such as Powder XRD,HR-TEM, HR-SEM and FT-IR. The average size of the synthesized nanoparticles was between 26 to 35 nm. These nanoparticles then screened for the anti - microbial assay in which it has shown positive activity against E. coli, A. Tereus and C. falcatum. The second application of the synthesized nanoparticles is estimation of anti - oxidant activity against the DPPH. The IC value of the nanoparticles is formed to be 50 53 in EtoH while that of the standard, ascorbic acid was 26 in the same solvent.

A Case of Structural Heterozygosity Affecting Chiasma Frequency and Pollen Fertility in Natural Populations of &lt;i&gt;Artemisia roxburghiana&lt;/i&gt;

Meiotic studies have been carried out on six accessions of Artemisia roxburghiana from four regions of Western Himalayas. The accessions collected from Chamba, Kinnaur and Kullu districts of Himachal Pradesh and Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir showed a normal meiotic course leading to high pollen fertility. However, the accession collected from Drass region of cold deserts of Ladakh, Jammu, and Kashmir showed abnormal meiosis caused by structural heterozygosity for reciprocal translocations. The present study adds the first report of structural heterozygosity in the species. Chiasma frequency was also calculated in the accessions to see the effect of reciprocal translocations. Besides, reciprocal translocation, the accession also showed various meiotic abnormalities in the form of the early disjunction of bivalents, chromatin bridges and laggards leading to abnormal microsporogenesis. Structural heterozygosity and other meiotic abnormalities in the accession seem to be responsible for a reduction in pollen fertility.

Insights on the pharmacological, phytochemical and ethnobotanical aspects of Artemisia roxburghiana: a rather less explored but therapeutically important species of lower Himalayas

Artemisia roxburghiana Wall. ex Besser, belongs to the family Asteraceae (Compositae), is widely used in traditional medicine in Asia to treat various ailments like diabetes, rheumatism, malaria, hepatitis and helminths. In the present study, the relevant literature collected from various offline and online sources including Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed, was thoroughly reviewed for Phytochemistry, Ethnobotany and Pharmacology of A. roxburghiana. The literature survey revealed that A. roxburghiana contains a wide range of secondary metabolites like flavonoids, terpenoids, coumarins, steroids and fatty acids. The plant has been reported to be an important source of many bioactive compounds such as artemisinin, scopoletin and taraxeryl acetate. It showed anti-protozoal, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activities in various experimental models. The present review concludes that the plant can be used to treat many human ailments; however, further research is warranted to develop it as a medicine.

Use of local bioresources for post-harvest management of white rot of apple caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea

Post-harvest fungal pathogens are reported to cause 10 to 25 percent losses in apple. Among various pathogens, white rot caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea is one of the important post-harvest diseases. Incidence of white rot was recorded between3.0-14.1 percent in important marketing yards of Himachal Pradesh. Golden Delicious variety of apple has been found to be most susceptible to white rot pathogen. Two botanical formulations by mixing equal quantity of leaves of Karu (Roylea elegans), Artemisia (Artemisia roxburghiana), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Bana (Vitex negundo), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) and seeds of Darek (Melia azedarach) made in water and cowurine were evaluated against the white rot pathogen. Fruit dip for 30 minutes in cow urine based formulation did not allowed the disease development to form lesions in artificially inoculated apple fruits. Also, fruits dipped in cow urine based formulation followed by their storage in card board boxes at room temperature (25± 30C) for 30 days storage had minimum incidence (2.8%) of white rot disease. Therefore, dip treatment of apple fruits with different bio -resources including water and cow urine based botanical formulation separately proved effective in the management of white rot (Botryosphaeria dothidea) of apple.

Efficacy of botanical formulations and fungicides against Botryosphaeria dothidea, causing white rot in apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.)

The present study was conducted to determine inhibitory effect of plant extracts, their botanical formula-tions (BF1 and BF2) and safer fungicides against Botryosphaeria dothidea cause white rot of apple (Malus × domes-tica) during storage. Poisoned food technique was performed to evaluate the efficacy of different plant extracts, their botanical formulations and safer fungicides. Out of twelve botanicals evaluated under in vitro conditions against the white rot pathogen, leaf extract of Ocimum sanctum was found most effective among all the treatments with 54.07 per cent average inhibition in mycelial growth. Out of twelve plants evaluated for their efficacy, six effective plants Karu (Roylea elegans), Artemisia (Artemisia roxburghiana), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Bana (Vitex negundo), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) and Darek (Melia azedarach) were selected for making two botanical formulations (BF1 and BF2). While, BF1 was water based formulation and BF2 was cow urine based formulation. Among these botanical formulations, BF2 inhibited mycelial growth of white rot pathogen by 72.70 per cent and BF1 66.37 per cent at 100 % concentration. Whereas, among the tested fungicides, Score at 100 ppm concentration was found to be most effective with 75.01 % average inhibition in mycelial growth of the white rot pathogen.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitors isolated from Artemisia roxburghiana

Artemisia roxburghiana is used in traditional medicine for treating various diseases including diabetes. The present study was designed to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of active constituents by using protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) as a validated target for management of diabetes. Various compounds were isolated as active principles from the crude methanolic extract of aerial parts of A. roxburghiana. All compounds were screened for PTP1B inhibitory activity. Molecular docking simulations were performed to investigate the mechanism behind PTP1B inhibition of the isolated compound and positive control, ursolic acid. Betulinic acid, betulin and taraxeryl acetate were the active PTP1B principles with IC50 values 3.49 ± 0.02, 4.17 ± 0.03 and 87.52 ± 0.03 µM, respectively. Molecular docking studies showed significant molecular interactions of the triterpene inhibitors with Gly220, Cys215, Gly218 and Asp48 inside the active site of PTP1B. The antidiabetic activity of A. roxburghiana could be attributed due to PTP1B inhibition by its triterpene constituents, betulin, betulinic acid and taraxeryl acetate. Computational insights of this study revealed that the C-3 and C-17 positions of the compounds needs extensive optimization for the development of new lead compounds.

Compositional characteristics of the volatile oils of three Artemisia spp. from western Himalaya

Essential oils isolated from Artemisia gmelinii Web. ex Stechm, Artemisia roxburghiana Bess. var. purpurascens (Jacq.) Hook and Artemisia maritima L. were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) and GC–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Artemisia gmelinii, A. roxburghiana and A. maritima yielded 1.43%, 0.77–0.90% and 1.67% essential oil, respectively. In all, ninety-two constituents, representing 95.6–99.1% of the total oil compositions of different Artemisia spp., were identified. Major constituents of A. gmelinii oil were artemisia ketone (40.7%), cis-chrysanthenyl acetate (21.3%), 1,8-cineole (11.0%) and pinocarvone (8.9%). The oil of A. roxburghiana contained borneol (2.1–18.5%), α-thujone (0.2–13.1%), artemisia alcohol (5.2–11.6%), β-eudesmol (5.0–11.6%), eucarvone (2.0–8.9%), caryophyllene oxide (3.5–8.8%), 1,8-cineole (3.2–8.1%), cis-sabinene hydrate (4.5–7.1%), cis-chrysanthenyl acetate (0.2–5.4%) and terpinen-4-ol (2.2–5.2%) as main constituents. However, the oil of A. maritima was rich in thujones (α-thujone 72.1%, β-thujone 8.4%). The oils of the investigated Artemisia spp. showed considerable variations in their chemical compositions compared with earlier reports.

Antiprotozoal activities of traditional medicinal plants from the Garhwal region of North West Himalaya, India

In a search for new plant-derived biologically active compounds against protozoan parasites, an ethnopharmacological study was carried out to evaluate extracts from selected 17 traditional medicinal plants which were used by healers from the Garhwal region of North West Himalaya for the treatment of protozoal infections and fever including malaria. In vitro activity against erythrocytic stages of Plasmodium falciparum was determined using a modified [3H]-hypoxanthine incorporation assay with the chloroquine- and pyrimethamine-resistant K1 strain. Activity against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense was performed on the STIB 900 strain and activity against Trypanosoma cruzi on infected rat skeletal myoblasts (L6 cells) seeded in 96-well microtitre plates while amastigotes of Leishmania donovani strain MHOM/ET/67/L82 were used to assess activity against Leishmania donovani. Cytotoxicity assays were performed against rat skeletal myoblasts (L6-cells). Extracts of Artemisia roxburghiana, Roylea cinerea, Leucas cephalotes, Nepeta hindostana and Viola canescens showed good antiplasmodial activity (IC50<5 μg/ml). The chloroform extract of Artemisia roxburghiana was the most active (IC50 value of 0.42 μg/ml) and the most selective (SI=78) extract for Plasmodium falciparum among all plants extracts examined. The chloroform extract of Leucas cephalotes and the petroleum ether extract of Viola canescens exhibited substantial activities against Leishmania donovani with IC50 values of 3.61 μg/ml (SI=8) and 0.40 μg/ml (SI=30), respectively. The petroleum ether extract of Viola canescens exhibited activity against Trypanosoma cruzi with an IC50 value of 1.86 μg/ml (SI=7). Methanol and water extracts from all plants under investigation were found inactive against all parasites tested. These results support investigation of components of traditional medicines as potential new antiprotozoal agents. On the other hand since herbalism has become the main stream throughout the world, investigation demonstrates that these non-polar plant extracts of six of the plants examined in this study could play an important role in herbal formulations for the treatment of vector borne protozoal diseases.

Survey of artemisinin production by diverse Artemisia species in northern Pakistan

BackgroundArtemisinin is the current drug of choice for treatment of malaria and a number of other diseases. It is obtained from the annual herb, Artemisia annua and some microbial sources by genetic engineering. There is a great concern that the artemisinin production at current rate will not meet the increasing demand by the pharmaceutical industry, so looking for additional sources is imperative.MethodsIn current study, artemisinin concentration was analysed and compared in the flowers, leaves, roots and stems of Artemisia annua and 14 other Artemisia species including two varieties each for Artemisia roxburghiana and Artemisia dracunculus using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).ResultsThe highest artemisinin concentration was detected in the leaves (0.44 ± 0.03%) and flowers (0.42 ± 0.03%) of A. annua, followed by the flowers (0.34 ± .02%) of A. bushriences and leaves (0.27 ± 0%) of A. dracunculus var dracunculus. The average concentration of artemisinin varied in the order of flowers > leaves > stems > roots.ConclusionThis study identifies twelve novel plant sources of artemisinin, which may be helpful for pharmaceutical production of artemisinin. This is the first report of quantitative comparison of artemisinin among a large number of Artemisia species.

Regeneration of phytoplasma-free Artemisia roxburghiana Besser var. purpurascens (Jacq.) Hook. plants using apical meristem culture

We have used apical meristem culture to develop an efficient protocol for reducing phytoplasma infection of Artemisia roxburghiana Besser var. purpurascens (Jacq.) Hook. plants. Shoot tips of different sizes from phytoplasma-infected field-grown plants were treated with 0.1% mercuric chloride (HgCl2) for 1 min followed by a 30-s exposure to 70% ethanol. The size of the explants significantly influenced the survival frequency and the success of aseptic culture establishment. Sterile explants responded notably to 13.95 μM Kinetin (Kn) and 0.27 μM α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), and a maximum of 38 ± 0.87 shoots per explant could be obtained after 6 weeks of incubation. Sub-culturing of the shoot mass after 8 weeks of culture on the previously described medium to 8.88 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA)- and 0.27 μM NAA-containing medium stimulated further multiplication, elongation and growth of each individual regenerant. Efficient rooting was noted after 5 weeks of transfer on half-strength MS medium containing 4.93 μM IBA. Sequential hardening as hydroponic cultures under culture room and glasshouse conditions led to almost 85 and 98% survival of the regenerants upon transfer to pots and field, respectively. Unlike the original A. roxburghiana plants, the plants raised from tissue culture showed a total absence of inherent phytoplasma infection evaluated via inspection of morphological features, PCR and microscopic observations.

Effect of Altitude on the Essential Oil Constituents of Artemisia roxburghiana Besser var. purpurascens (Jacq.) Hook

Mature vegetative plants of Artemisia roxburghiana Besser var. purpurascens (Jacq.) Hook were collected from Mussoorie (2205 m), Bhatwari (1218 m) and Bhaldana (850 m) from Garhwal Himalayas and their essential oils were isolated and subjected to GC and GC/MS analysis. The oil yield was lowest (0.2%) in the plants collected from the relatively higher altitude of Mussoorie; it was rich in borneol (21.2%) followed by linalyl acetate (7.4%) and α- humulene (6.7%). The oils from plants collected from the lower altitudes of Bhatwari and Bhaldana yielded higher percentage of oils (0.8–0.85%) which were dominated by β-caryophyllene (16.3%, 18.4%) followed by α-thujone (12.0%) in the former and eugenol (16.2%) in the later.

Restoration potential of pioneer plants growing on lead-zinc mine tailings in Lanping, southwest China

This study focused on the restoration potential of ten pioneer plants (Artemisia roxburghiana, Artemisia tangutica, Carex inanis, Cyperaceae hebecarpus, Plantago depresa, Cynoglossum lanceolatum, Potentilla saundesiana, Coriaria sinica, Oxyria sinensis, and Miscanthus nepalensis) during the early phase of Pb-Zn mine tailings phytostabilization, in Lanping, China. The concentrations of heavy metals (Pb, Zn, and Cu) and soil fertility (the available N, P, K, and organic matter) in the rhizosphere of these species have been compared. The results showed a general improvement in the rhizosphere soil properties of pioneer plants. Of the ten species, the concentrations of Pb, Zn, and Cu in the rhizosphere of A. roxburghiana have the greatest reduction of 56.23%, 83.00%, and 84.36%, respectively, compared to the bulk soil. The best improvement in soil fertility was found in the rhizosphere of P. saundesiana, with an increase of 241.83%, 170.76%, 49.09%, and 81.60%, respectively, in the available N, P, K, and organic matter. Metals accumulated by the plants have been mainly distributed in the root tissues, and only small amounts transferred to the aboveground tissues. The highest contents of Pb and Zn have been recorded in C. hebecarpus with 57.84 and 87.92 mg/kg dry weight (dw), respectively. The maximum Cu content was observed in C. inanis with 1.19 mg/kg dw. Overall, pioneer plants will be ideal species for the phytostabilization of mine tailings, but the potential use varies in different pioneer plant species. Among these ten species, A. roxburghiana has been identified to be the most suitable for phytostabilization programs, due to its greatest improvement on physical-chemical properties in the rhizosphere soil.

The effect of medicinal plants of Islamabad and Murree region of Pakistan on insulin secretion from INS-1 cells.

In vitro testing of the extracts of medicinal plants collected from Islamabad and the Murree region on insulin secretagogue activity was carried out. Dried ethanol extracts of all plants (ZH1-ZH19) were dissolved in ethanol and DMSO, and tested at various concentrations (between 1 and 40 microg/mL) for insulin release from INS-1 cells in the presence of 5.5 mM glucose. Glibenclamide was used as a control. Promising insulin secretagogue activity in various plant extracts at 1, 10, 20 and 40 microg/mL was found, while in some cases a decrease in insulin secretion was also observed. Artemisia roxburghiana, Salvia coccinia and Monstera deliciosa showed insulin secretagogue activity at 1 microg/mL (p < 0.05) while Abies pindrow, Centaurea iberica and Euphorbia helioscopia were active at 10 microg/mL (p < 0.05). Extracts of Bauhinia variegata and Bergenia himalacia showed effects at 20 microg/mL (p < 0.05), and Taraxacum officinale and Viburnum foetens at 40 microg/mL (p < 0.05). Insulin secretagogue activity could not be detected in the extracts of Adhatoda vasica, Cassia fistula, Chrysanthemum leucanthemum, Morus alba, Plectranthus rugosus, Peganum harmala and Olea ferruginea. The results suggest that medicinal plants of Islamabad and the Murree region of Pakistan may be potential natural resources for antidiabetic compounds.

Reliability of Van den Dool Retention Indices in the Analysis of Essential Oils

The aim of this study is to evaluate how extensive retention indices (RIs) can be identifying an essential oil component within a single laboratory. The essential oils of Matricaria chamomilla L., Tagetes lucida Cav., and Artemisia roxburghiana Wall. are investigated with different columns and under different analytical conditions. These oils are analyzed with a GC unit and columns coated with the same stationary phases (polysiloxane OV-1 and polyethylene glycol CW-20M) but different characteristics (producer and inner diameter) under different analytical conditions (temperature program and mobile phase conditions). The great number of data obtained are used to determine what parameters other than stationary phase influence RI reliability, the range of variation of RIs with different columns or under different operating conditions, and the validity of D-RI measurements.

Constituents ofArtemisia roxburghiana Besser essential oil

Artemisia roxburghiana Besser (Asteraceae) is a common perennial herb growing wild on dry open slopes and wasteland in the Himalayan region at altitudes between 1 000 and 4 300 m. Its essential oil was studied by GC, GC–MS, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR. One hundred and eight components were identified: 1,8-cineole (16.6%), camphor (15.2%) and α-thujone (10.0%) were the most abundant. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.