TiO2 nanoparticles and salinity stress in relation to artemisinin production and ADS and DBR2 expression in Artemisia absinthium L / Nanopartículas de TiO2 e estresse de salinidade em relação à produção de artemisinina e expressão de ADS e DBR2 em Artemisia absinthium L

Artemisia absinthium L. is an important herb that is widely cultivated in different parts of the world for its medicinal properties. The present study evaluated the effects of four concentrations of nanoparticles treatment (0, 10, 20 and 30 mg L-1) and NaCl salinity stress (0, 50, 100 and 150 mM NaCl) and their interactions with respect to the expression of two key genes, i.e. DBR2 and ADS, in the biosynthesis pathway of artemisinin in A. absinthium. Total RNA was extracted and a relative gene expression analysis was carried out using Real-Time PCR. The amount of artemisinin was also determined by HPLC. All the experiments were performed as factorial in a completely randomized design in three replications. The results revealed that salinity stress and nanoparticles treatment and their interaction affected the expressions of these genes significantly. The highest levels of ADS gene expression were observed in the 30 mg L-1 nanoparticles­treated plants in the presence of 150 mM salinity stress and the lowest levels in the 10 mg L-1 nanoparticles­treated plants under 50 mM salinity stress. The maximum DBR2 gene expression was recorded in the 10 mg L-1 nanoparticles­treated plants in the absence of salinity stress and the minimum expression in the 100 mM salinity-stressed plants in the absence of nanoparticles treatment. Moreover, the smallest amounts of artemisinin were observed in the 150 mM salinity-stressed plants in the absence of nanoparticles and the highest amounts in the 30 mg L-1 nanoparticles­treated plants. The maximum amounts of artemisinin and ADS gene expression were reported from the plants in the same nanoparticles treatment and salinity stress conditions. In this regard, the amount of artemisinin was decreased by half in the plants containing the highest DBR2 gene expression. Meanwhile, no significant correlation was observed between these gene expressions and the artemisinin amount in the other nanoparticles­treated plants under different levels of salinity stress. The biosynthetic pathway of secondary metabolites appears to be very complex and dose not directly dependent on these gene expressions.

Artemisia absinthium L. é uma erva importante que é amplamente cultivada em diferentes partes do mundo por suas propriedades medicinais. O presente estudo avaliou os efeitos de quatro concentrações de tratamento com nanopartículas (0, 10, 20 e 30 mg L-1) e estresse de salinidade com NaCl (0, 50, 100 e 150 mM NaCl) e suas interações com relação à expressão de dois genes-chave, isto é, DBR2 e ADS, na via de biossíntese da artemisinina em A. absinthium. O RNA total foi extraído, e uma análise de expressão gênica relativa foi realizada usando PCR em tempo real. A quantidade de artemisinina também foi determinada por HPLC. Todos os experimentos foram realizados como fatorial, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em três repetições. Os resultados revelaram que o estresse por salinidade e o tratamento com nanopartículas e sua interação afetaram significativamente as expressões desses genes. Os níveis mais altos de expressão do gene ADS foram observados nas plantas tratadas com nanopartículas de 30 mg L-1 na presença de estresse de salinidade de 150 mM, e os níveis mais baixos, nas plantas tratadas com nanopartículas de 10 mg L-1 com estresse de salinidade de 50 mM. A expressão máxima do gene DBR2 foi registrada nas plantas tratadas com nanopartículas de 10 mg L-1 na ausência de estresse de salinidade, e a expressão mínima, nas plantas estressadas com salinidade de 100 mM na ausência de tratamento com nanopartículas. Além disso, as menores quantidades de artemisinina foram observadas nas plantas com estresse de salinidade de 150 mM na ausência de nanopartículas, e as maiores quantidades, nas plantas tratadas com nanopartículas de 30 mg L-1. As quantidades máximas de expressão de genes de artemisinina e ADS foram relatadas a partir das plantas no mesmo tratamento com nanopartículas e condições de estresse de salinidade. A esse respeito, a quantidade de artemisinina diminuiu pela metade nas plantas que contêm a expressão gênica DBR2 mais alta. Enquanto isso, nenhuma correlação significativa foi observada entre essas expressões gênicas e a quantidade de artemisinina nas outras plantas tratadas com nanopartículas sob diferentes níveis de estresse de salinidade. A via biossintética dos metabólitos secundários parece ser muito complexa e não depende diretamente dessas expressões gênicas.

Concentraciones de alcaloides, glucósidos cianogénicos, polifenoles y saponinas en plantas medicinales seleccionadas en Ecuador y su relación con la toxicidad aguda contra Artemia salina / Concentrations of alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, polyphenols and saponins in selected medicinal plants from Ecuador and their relationship with acute toxicity against Artemia salina

ResumenEntre los principales compuestos químicos sintetizados por las plantas, pero considerados no esenciales para su metabolismo básico, están los alcaloides, los polifenoles, los glucósidos cianogénicos y las saponinas que tienen diversas funciones en las plantas y reconocidas propiedades medicinales y farmacológicas. En esta investigación se determinaron las concentraciones de los mencionados metabolitos secundarios en los extractos de las hojas de las plantas medicinales Taraxacum officinale, Parthenium hysterophorus, Artemisia absinthium, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius y Piper carpunya y se relacionaron con la toxicidad aguda contra Artemia salina. En cada bioensayo con A. salina se usaron los extractos alcohólicos de las hojas de las plantas seleccionadas a diferentes concentraciones, calculándose la proporción de organismos muertos y los CL50. Las concentraciones de alcaloides, fenoles totales, taninos, glucósidos cianogénicos y saponinas fueron determinadas mediante métodos espectrofotométricos. Este es el primer reporte de cuantificación de metabolitos secundarios en las plantas analizadas provenientes de Ecuador. T. officinale presentó las mayores concentraciones de fenoles (22.30 ± 0.23 mg/g) y taninos (11.70 ± 0.10 mg/g), C aconitifolius de glucósidos cianogénicos (5.02 ± 0.37 µg/g) y P. hysterophorus de saponinas (6.12 ± 0.02 mg/g). Las plantas evaluadas presentaron actividades hemolíticas dependiendo de las concentraciones de saponinas. Los valores de taninos determinados estuvieron entre 0.20 ± 0.01 y 11.70 ± 0.10 mg/g, por lo que no son adversos para su consumo. Aunque los valores de glucósidos cianogénicos son permisibles, es necesario monitorear la presencia de estos compuestos químicos en las plantas para minimizar problemas de salud. Los CL50 obtenidos oscilaron entre los valores 3.37 µg/mL, extremadamente letal o tóxica, para P. carpunya y 274.34 µg/mL, altamente tóxica, para T. officinale. De los análisis de correlaciones realizados a los resultados, se observó que los alcaloides favorecen de manera significativa (p<0.001) a la toxicidad aguda contra A. salina, mientras que a mayor contenido de polifenoles dicha toxicidad disminuye significativamente (p<0.001) el nivel de toxicidad de las plantas. Del análisis de componentes principales, se demuestra que las saponinas están en sinergia con los polifenoles para disminuir la toxicidad, pero tienen un efecto antagónico con los alcaloides y los glucósidos cianogénicos, lo cual evidencia que estos metabolitos secundarios presentan variabilidades en los mecanismos de acción contra A. salina, como compuestos citotóxicos. Estos resultados demuestran que las saponinas y los polifenoles pueden ser letales para A. salina a bajas concentraciones, evidenciando que este bioensayo permite evaluar extractos vegetales que contengan bajas concentraciones de compuestos con altas polaridades. La correspondencia significativamente positiva entre citoxicidad y concentración de los alcaloides, confirmada con el bioensayo de Artemia salina, puede ser útil para hallar fuentes promisorias de compuestos antitumorales y para evaluar los límites tolerables que no afecten otras células benignas. El contenido de metabolitos secundarios hallados en las plantas analizadas les atribuye un gran valor farmacológico.

Abstract:Alkaloids, polyphenols, cyanogenic glycosides and saponins are among the main chemical compounds synthesized by plants but not considered essential for their basic metabolism. These compounds have different functions in plants, and have been recognized with medicinal and pharmacological properties. In this research, concentrations of the mentioned secondary metabolites were determined in the medicinal plants Artemisia absinthium, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, Parthenium hysterophorus, Piper carpunya and Taraxacum officinale, from Ecuador, and related with cytotoxic effects against Artemia salina. Alcoholic and aqueous extracts from leaves of these selected plants were prepared at different concentrations. To assess cytotoxicity of these extracts, different bioassays with A. salina were undertaken, and the mortality rates and LC50 were obtained. Besides, concentrations of alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, phenols, tannins and saponins were determined by spectrophotometric methods; this constituted the first report of quantification of secondary metabolites in the selected plants from Ecuador. T. officinale had the highest concentration of total phenols (22.30 ± 0.23 mg/g) and tannins (11.70 ± 0.10 mg/g), C. aconitifolius of cyanogenic glycosides (5.02 ± 0.37 µg/g) and P. hysterophorus of saponins (6.12 ± 0.02 mg/g). Tannins values obtained were not adverse to their consumption. Alcoholic and aqueous extracts of selected plants had hemolytic activity depending on the concentration of saponins. Although the values of cyanogenic glycosides were permissible, it was necessary to monitor the presence of this metabolite in plants to minimize health problems. LC50 values ranged from extremely toxic (3.37 µg/mL) to highly toxic (274.34 μg/mL), in P. carpunya and T. officinale, respectively. From correlation analysis, it was observed that increase values of alkaloids concentrations had highly significant (p<0.001) acute toxicity against A. salina, while at a higher polyphenol concentration the level of plants cytotoxicity decreased significantly (p<0.001). The results of principal component analysis showed that saponins apparently were in synergy with polyphenols to decrease cytotoxicity, but antagonize with alkaloids and cyanogenic glycosides, indicating that these secondary metabolites present variability in the mechanisms of action against A. salina, as cytotoxic compounds. These results also demonstrate that polyphenols and saponins can be lethal at low concentrations, demonstrating the potential of brine shrimp bioassay as a model to evaluate plant extracts containing low concentrations of chemical compounds with high polarities. The significant positive correlation between cytotoxicity and concentration of alkaloids confirmed by the bioassay of brine shrimp can be useful to identify promising sources of antitumor compounds, and to evaluate tolerable limits not affecting other benign cells. Contents of secondary metabolites found in the selected plants confer them great pharmacologic values. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (3): 1171-1184. Epub 2016 September 01.

Trypanocidal, trichomonacidal and cytotoxic components of cultivatedArtemisia absinthium Linnaeus (Asteraceae) essential oil

Artemisia absinthium is an aromatic and medicinal plant of ethnopharmacological interest and it has been widely studied. The use ofA. absinthiumbased on the collection of wild populations can result in variable compositions of the extracts and essential oils (EOs). The aim of this paper is the identification of the active components of the vapour pressure (VP) EO from a selected and cultivated A. absinthiumSpanish population (T2-11) against two parasitic protozoa with different metabolic pathways: Trypanosoma cruzi andTrichomonas vaginalis. VP showed activity on both parasites at the highest concentrations. The chromatographic fractionation of the VP T2-11 resulted in nine fractions (VLC1-9). The chemical composition of the fractions and the antiparasitic effects of fractions and their main compounds suggest that the activity of the VP is related with the presence oftrans-caryophyllene and dihydrochamazulene (main components of fractions VLC1 and VLC2 respectively). Additionally, the cytotoxicity of VP and fractions has been tested on several tumour and no tumour human cell lines. Fractions VLC1 and VLC2 were not cytotoxic against the nontumoural cell line HS5, suggesting selective antiparasitic activity for these two fractions. The VP and fractions inhibited the growth of human tumour cell lines in a dose-dependent manner.

Evaluation of phytoconstituents of three plants Acorus calamus linn. Artemisia absinthium Linn and Bergenia himalaica boriss by FTIR spectroscopic analysis

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of plant extracts can be achieved by using different spectroscopic techniques. In current research work we deal with the nature of the absorption and spectra of extract of Acorus calamus, Artemisia absinthium and Bergenia himalaica using FTIR spectroscopic technique. The present study was focused on standardization of crude extracts by utilization of infrared light. The spectra of crude extracts [A. calamus, A. absinthium and B. himalaica] displayed very clear diagnostic peaks of functional groups i.e. O-H alcoholic/acid, C-H alkyl and aromatic ring, carbonyl, and C-O-C groups. The spectra of all the three plants did not show any peak at 2220-2260cm[-1], which is indicative of the absence of nitrogen containing groups. These results exhibited that these plants does not contain any toxic substances

Evaluación del efecto antiespasmódico del extracto hidroalcohólico y del aceite esencial de Artemisia Absinthium L (Ajenjo) in vivo y ex vivo / Evaluation of the antispasmodic effect of the hydroalcoholic extract and the essential oil of Artemisia Absinthium L. (Wormwood) in vivo and ex vivo

Artemisia absinthium L. (Ajenjo), es utilizado en la medicina tradicional en cólicos intestinales. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el efecto antiespasmódico del extracto hidroalcohólico al 70% y del aceite esencial de Artemisia absinthium L. El tipo de estudio fue cuasiexperimental. Se evaluó el efecto antiespasmódico por un modelo in vivo para medir la actividad sobre el tránsito intestinal, y un modelo ex vivo en íleon aislado de cobayo sobre las contracciones basales y frente a la acción de la acetilcolina. El análisis fitoquímico del extracto reveló la presencia de alcaloides, glicósidos, taninos, resinas, saponinas, lactonas y azucares reductores. El análisis de GC-MS del aceite esencial muestra como metabolitos mayoritarios: linalol, ß - tuyona, α - tuyona, Oxirane, 2-(Hexyn-1yl)-3 methoxymethylene, myrtenyl acetate. Los resultados en el modelo in vivo donde se evaluó el porcentaje de avance del marcador (carbón activado) para el extracto a las dosis de 600mg/kg con 38.8%, 800mg/Kg con 47.9% y 1000mg/Kg con 46.1% en promedio mucho menores que el grupo control (solución salina fisiológica) 84.7%. Para el aceite esencial 2mg/kg con 39.8%, 1 mg/Kg con 43.5%y 0.5mg/Kg con 54.9% menores que el grupo control (solución tween 1%) 85.5%. Para el fármaco patrón (atropina 1 mg/Kg) con porcentaje de avance de 19.9%, con significancia 0.000 a un nivel de confianza del 95%. Los resultados del efecto sobre las contracciones basales de íleon aislado de cobayo donde se evaluó el porcentaje de inhibición para el extracto a las concentraciones de 900)Jg/mL con 91.3%, 1200)Jg/mL con 90.7% y 1500)Jg/mL con 93.4%; para el aceite esencial a las concentraciones de 0.05mg/mL de 50.6%, 0.1 mg/mL de 76.2% y 0.2mg/mL de 90.1 %, para el fármaco patrón atropina a la concentración 0.03mg/mL con 92.4% y para el grupo control 0.8%, con significancia 0.000 a un nivel de confianza del 95%. Frente a las acción de la acetilcolina se evaluó la máxima amplitud después de la adición de acetilcolina, para el extracto a las concentraciones de 900)Jg/mL de 11.3mV, 1200)Jg/mL de 10.5mV, y 1500)Jg/mL de 1 Omv; para el aceite esencial a las concentraciones de 0.05mg/mL de 9.7mV, 0.1mg/mL de 3.6mV y 0.2mg/ml de 1.6mV; para el fármaco patrón atropina a la concentración 0.03mg/ml de 0.4mV y para el grupo control de 16.2mV. , con significancia 0.000 a un nivel de confianza del 95%. Con los resultados obtenidos se concluye que el aceite esencial y el extracto hidroalcohólico al 70% de de Artemisia absinthium L. "Ajenjo" presentan efecto antiespasmódico in vivo y ex vivo.

Antimalarial activity of three Pakistani medicinal plants

This study was conducted to determine the in vitro anti-malarial activity of three medicinal plants, Picrorhiza kurroa, Caesalpinia bonducella and Artemisia absinthium of Pakistan. Different extracts of various parts of these plants were prepared by maceration and percolation, and were evaluated for their antimalarial activity. Aqueous, cold alcoholic and hot alcoholic extracts of Picrorhiza kurroa showed 34%, 100% and 90% inhibition in growth of Plasmodium falciparum, respectively, at 2.00 mg/ml. While aqueous, cold alcoholic and hot alcoholic extracts of Caesalpinia bonducella showed 65%, 56% and 76% inhibition in growth of Plasmodium falciparum, respectively at same concentrations. In the case of Artemisia absinthium, aqueous, cold alcoholic and hot alcoholic extract of Artemisia absinthium showed 35%, 55% and 21% inhibition in growth of Plasmodium falciparum, respectively at 2.00 mg/ml. In our study, extracts of Picrorhiza kurroa were found good for traditional therapy with highly significant results

Evaluation of effects of Zingiber officinale on salivation in rats

There are some herbal plants in Iranian traditional system of medicine which are believed to be excellent remedies to alleviate the symptoms of xerostomia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of systemic administration of seven different herbal extracts on the rate of salivation in rats. The extracts of 7 herbs; Zingiber officinale Roscoe [Zingiberaceae], Citrus sinensis [L.] Osbeck [Rutaceae], Artemisia absinthium L. [Asteraceae], Cichorium intybus L. [Asteraceae], Pimpinella anisum L.[Apiaceae], Portulaca oleracea L.[Portulacaceae], Tribulus terrestris L. [Zygophyllaceae] were prepared. Nine groups of animals [including negative and positive control groups] were used and seven rats were tested in each group. After the injection of extracts, saliva volume was measured gravimetrically in four continuous sevenminute intervals. The results showed that after injection of ginger extracts salivation was significantly higher as compared to the negative control group and other herbal extracts in all of the four intervals [P<0.01]. The peak action of the ginger was during the first 7-minute interval and following this, salivation decreased to some extent. The present study suggests that the extract of Zingiber offiicianle can increase the rate of salivation significantly in animal model. Further investigations on different constituents of ginger seem to be essential to identify the responsible constituent for stimulation of saliva secretion

Review on Artemisia absinthium and Tamarindus indica in the management of jaundice

The selected drugs reviewed have cholagogue, carminative, febrifuge, antispasmodic, antiseptic, antihelminthic, antibilious, antinauseant and antiemetic properties. Further detailed scientific trials of Afsanteen and Tamare-Hindi are required to know the exact mechanism of action in reduction of serum bilirubin level. At the end it may be added that Unani treatment is not only effective and safe but also cost effective, easily available and convenient for all

In vitro anti-microbial activity of the Cuban medicinal plants Simarouba glauca DC, Melaleuca leucadendron L and Artemisia absinthium L

In the present study, an extensive in vitro antimicrobial profiling was performed for three medicinal plants grown in Cuba, namely Simarouba glauca, Melaleuca leucadendron and Artemisia absinthium. Ethanol extracts were tested for their antiprotozoal potential against Trypanosoma b. brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania infantum and Plasmodium falciparum. Antifungal activities were evaluated against Microsporum canis and Candida albicans whereas Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were used as test organisms for antibacterial activity. Cytotoxicity was assessed against human MRC-5 cells. Only M. leucadendron extract showed selective activity against microorganisms tested. Although S. glauca exhibited strong activity against all protozoa, it must be considered non-specific. The value of integrated evaluation of extracts with particular reference to selectivity is discussed.

In vitro study ofantifungal effects of selected herbal extracts on standard and wild strains of Candida albicans

The study aim was to evaluate antifungal effects of Artemisia absinthium, Eucalyptus spp, Allium cepa, Cinnamomum zelanicum, Curcuma longa, Salvia officinalis, Mentha Piperita, and Calendula officinalis mouthwashes. Standard species of Candida albicans by the PTCC number 5027 was prepared from Pathogenic and Industrial bacteria and fungi collection center of Iran. Ten wild species were also prepared from the palatal mucus or buccal mucus of patients submitted to one of the clinics in Kerman. Extracts from the plants were made using percolation method with hydro alcoholic solvent followed by evaporation of the organic solvent under vacuum and then drying in a 50 °C oven. Then 0.5 McFarland suspensions from all fungi species were prepared. These suspensions were used by both small well and tube methods. All the extracts had antifungal activity against Candida albicans. However, this property in the first four plant-extracts was more powerful than the others. According to the results of this study, the extracts of Curcuma longa, Eucalyptus spp, Artemisia absinthium, Cinnamomum zelanicum had considerable antifungal effects

Evaluation of molluscicidal and schistosomicidal activity of two species of Egyptiana Plant in schistosomiasis inansoni

The present study showed that the two plants Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia inculta as cold or boiled water suspensions of their dry powder were nontoxic against Biomphalaria Alexandrina snails. On the other hand, the ethanol extracts of A. absinthium and A. inculta were effective as molluscicides against B. Alexandrina, and the LC9O being 250 ppm and 400 ppm respectively, after 24 hours of exposure. It was observed that these LC9O values killed Schistosoma mansoni ova after 15 minutes of exposure. The free living larval stages of S. mansoni [miracidia and cercariae]. were killed after 30 and 45 minutes of exposure to LC90 of A. obsinthium and A. inculta respectively. The use of A. absimthium and A. inculta ethanol extracts for treatment of murine schistosomiasis mansoni was studied using different doses of 500 mg I kg, 700 mg /kg and 800 mg I kg to investigate the effect of either extract against immature stages, each dose was given as single oral dose 24 hours post infection, then 7 days post infection and lastly 15 days post infection. To study the effect of A. absinthium and A. inculta against adult Schistosorna worms, each dose of the ethanol extracts was given 7 weeks post infection as single oral dose. The percentages of reduction in mean worm burden 9 weeks post infection in animals treated with either A. absinthium or A. inculta, 7 weeks post infection with a single oral dose of 800 mg/kg, were 39.5% and 38.7% respectively. Moreover, the percentage of reduction in mean number of worms 9 weeks post infection reached 77.32% and 74.9%, respectively by using the same dose [800 mg/kg] for three successive treatment schedule, 24 hours, 7 days and 15 days post infection. Also, the mean number of eggs excreted in stool was significantly decreased with the use of both plants for the all designated time intervals. It is concluded that treatment with the ethanol extracts of Artemisia plants showed high efficacy when given early and in repeated doses in murine schistosomiasis mansoni

Efeito do licor de absinto e do seu princípio ativo (thujone) proveniente da losna (arthemisia absinthium) nas glândulas salivares de ratos / Effect of the absinthe and its active component (thujone) of the Arthemisia absinthium on the salivary glands of the rats

Introdução - O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar , através do microscópio de luz , as glândulas salivares de ratos tratados com álcool, absinto ou seu princípio ativo, thujone (extraído da Arthemisia absinthium ). Material e Métodos - Vinte ratos machos (Wistar) foram divididos em quatro grupos: controle, tratados com álcool, absinto, e thujone. A administração das drogas foi feita por via oral, controlada diariamente através do volume ingerido. Os animais do grupo controle sofreram os mesmos procedimentos com água comum. Após 13 dias do início do experimento, os ratos foram sacrificados, sendo suas glândulas salivares removidas e submetidas às técnicas laboratoriais e de coloração, para a análise em microscópio comum. Resultados - Foram observadas alterações morfológicas nos ratos que receberam álcool, thujone e absinto. As glândulas salivares dos ratos tratados com absinto apresentaram alterações mais acentuadas, ilustradas pela presença de células dismórficas, atrofia e fibrose. Conclusão - Pelos resultados encontrados, o absinto exacerba as lesões celulares induzidas pelo álcool nas glândulas salivares de ratos.

Introduction - The aim of this study was to evaluate on light microscopy the glands salivary of rats treated with ethanol, absinthe and its active principle, thujone (removed from Arthemisia absinthium). Material and Methods - Twenty male rats (Wistar) were used that were equally divided in 4 groups: control, treated with absinthe, treated with ethanol and, the last, treated with thujone. The drugs administration was done in oral way, daily checked trough the control of ingested volume. The animals of the control group had the same procedure, with common water. After 13 days of the start of the experiment, the rats were killed with anesthetic overdose and their glands salivary were removed a submitted to the laboratorial routine process to the embedding on paraffin. The cuts were stained using H&E and analysed on light microscopy. Results - Morphological changes were observed on the glands salivary of the rats treated with absinthe, thujone and ethanol. The glands salivary of the rats treated with absinthe showed more accentuated alterations, comparing with the animals treated with ethanol or thujone, showed by dimorphism cell, atrophy and fibrosis. Conclusion - The results indicated that absinthe exacerbate the cellular lesions induced by ethanol that occur on the salivary glands in rats.

Fecha de plantación y momento de cosecha de Artemisia absinthium / Planting date and harvesting moment of Artemisia absinthium L

En la Estación Experimental de Plantas Medicinales "Dr. Juan T. Roig" y sobre un suelo ferralítico rojo hidratado se establecieron 8 plantaciones de Artemisia absinthium L. entre enero y agosto (una mensual) en los años 1999 y 2000, empleando plántulas obtenidas in vitro. El marco de plantación fue de 2 hileras por cantero (30 cm entre hileras) con distancia entre plantas de 40 cm. Los canteros se distribuyeron mediante un diseño de bloques al azar, con 3 réplicas para cada tratamiento. Se realizaron 2 cosechas en cada tratamiento y año, con una altura de corte de 40 cm y se emplearon 2 fechas de inicio de cosecha: a los 5 y 6 meses después de establecida la plantación. Las segundas cosechas se realizaron también a los mismos intervalos de tiempo. Se evaluaron los rendimientos de follaje, la altura y el número de ramas en plantas. Los datos se procesaron con el empleo de un análisis de varianza de clasificación doble. Las medias se compararon mediante la prueba de Rangos Múltiples de Duncan. Los resultados demostraron que las plantaciones deben realizarse en enero, que es cuando se obtienen los mayores rendimientos de material vegetal y recoger las cosechas a los 5 meses de edad

Evaluación y control de calidad de la tintura homeopática de Artemisia absinthium L / Evaluation and quality control of the homeopathic tincture of Artemisia absinthium L

El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo fundamental el estudio de la evaluación y control de calidad de la tintura homeopática de Artemisia absinthium L. cultivada en las condiciones de Cuba, especie de amplio uso y reconocido valor terapéutico. En la investigación se utilizaron las partes aéreas y floridas frescas de dicha planta. Se obtuvieron 13 lotes de tintura según el método de la escuela francesa; a un título de etanol del 65 por ciento v/v y se establecieron los indicadores de calidad tales como: características organolépticas, imagen capilar, índice de refracción, densidad relativa, pH, título de etanol y porcentaje de residuo seco. Se realizaron pruebas de identificación para determinar la presencia de cetonas bicíclicas, fenoles y turbidez y fue estandarizado además por cromatografía en capa delgada un perfil de la tintura. En todos los lotes obtenidos, sus indicadores de calidad se encontraron dentro de los límites establecidos por las farmacopeas tomadas como referencias. Se realizó un estudio para determinar el tiempo de vida útil de la tintura por un año a temperatura ambiente en frascos de vidrio de color ámbar de 30 mL y se pudo comprobar que en estas condiciones conservó sus características de forma óptima y que el conteo microbiano se mantuvo por debajo de los niveles permisibles durante todo el experimento. Estos resultados demostraron que es realmente posible obtener esta tintura en Cuba con una calidad similar a la exigida por farmacopeas homeopáticas oficiales

Effect of a Flavon Extracted from Artemisia absinthium on Collagen Induced Arthritis in Mice / 소아과

PURPOSE: In this study, a possible suppressive effect of a flavon extracted from Artemisia absinthium on a mouse collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model was investigated. METHODS: DBA/1 mice were injected intradermally with emulsified chicken type II collagen. Three weeks after immunization, a flavon was introduced p.o. everyday. Clinical incidences of arthritis and arthritis index were measured. Measurement of anti-collagen antibodies and a stimulation index of the splenocytes of the mice were measured. IL-10 and TNF-alpha in the supernatants of the mice sera were measured by ELISA. mRNA expression for IL-10 and TNF-alpha in the splenocytes were tested. RESULTS: Flavon extracted from Artemisia absinthium appears to be an effective suppressor of CIA in mice. The serum anti-collagen antibody level and stimulation index of the cultured splenocytes showed no significant differences among the three experimental groups. Also serum IL-10 and TNF-alpha levels did not show any significant differences among the three experimental groups. An increased expression of mRNA for IL-10 was observed in the splenocytes treated with flavon. CONCLUSION: With these results, flavon extracted from Artemisia absinthium appears to have a suppressive effect of CIA. The mechanism of the suppressive effect of flavon extracted from Artemisia absinthium may be from a stimulation of IL-10 production.

Potencial aleopático de los lixiviados acuosos y los extractos orgánicos de Artemisia Absinthium (ASTERACEAE) / Aleophatic potential of the water lecheates and organic stract from Artemisia Absinthium (ASTERACEAE)

Los cultivadores de arroz en el Tolima (Colombia), han tenido que afrontar dificultades debido a que el cultivo es altamente atacado por la presencia de plantas invasoras (arvenses). Dado que las especies del género Artemisia reciben creciente atención de los investigadores debido a la diversidad biológica y química de sus constituyentes, es interesante estudiar su potencial como inhibidores del desarrollo vegetativo de la gramínea considerada como una de las especies que mayor daño ocasiona al cereal. El potencial alelopático de los lixiviados acuosos y los extractos orgánicos de Artemisia absinthium sobre la germinación y el desarrollo radicular de Echinochloa colonum (liendre puerco) ha sido evaluado. La velocidad de germinación de E. colonum guarda relación directa con la concentración de los lixiviados acuosos y de los extractos orgánicos; las fracciones etanólica y diclorometánica impiden la frecuencia mitótica en proporción directa a su concentración. Es muy pobre el efecto inhibitorio de los lixiviados sobre la frecuencia mitótica. La mezcla etanol-agua 95:5 muestra el mayor efecto alelopático. Los resultados confirman el potencial alelopático de A. absinthium