Chemical Composition and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Artemisia judaica L. Essential Oil from Saudi Arabia.

Gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses were conducted on essential oil extracted from Saudi Arabian Artemisia judaica L. (A. judaica) aerial parts, resulting in the identification of 58 constituents, representing 93.0% of the total oil composition. The oil primarily consisted of monoterpenes (38.6%), sesquiterpenes (14.1%), and other compounds such as ethyl esters and cyclic ketones (40.3%). The main components identified were piperitone (16.5%), ethyl cinnamate (12.9%), and camphor (9.7%). Multivariate statistical analyses (MVAs), including principal component analysis (PCA) and agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) analysis, were employed to compare the chemical makeup of this oil with 20 other A. judaica oils from various regions. The study revealed distinct clusters, highlighting unique chemotypes and geographic variations. Particularly, the oil from the current study demonstrated a specialized chemical profile with significant concentrations of specific compounds, contributing significantly to its distinctiveness. Further cytotoxicity testing on RAW264.7 macrophages suggested that concentrations below 20 µg/mL of A. judaica oil are suitable for future pharmacological investigations. This study provides valuable insights into the chemical diversity, geographic variations, and potential biomedical applications of these essential oils.

In Vitro and In Silico Anti-Glioblastoma Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Artemisia annua L. and Artemisia vulgaris L.

Glioblastoma, the most aggressive and challenging brain tumor, is a key focus in neuro-oncology due to its rapid growth and poor prognosis. The C6 glioma cell line is often used as a glioblastoma model due to its close simulation of human glioma characteristics, including rapid expansion and invasiveness. Alongside, herbal medicine, particularly Artemisia spp., is gaining attention for its anticancer potential, offering mechanisms like apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, and the inhibition of angiogenesis. In this study, we optimized extraction conditions of polyphenols from Artemisia annua L. and Artemisia vulgaris L. herbs and investigated their anticancer effects in silico and in vitro. Molecular docking of the main phenolic compounds of A. annua and A. vulgaris and potential target proteins, including programmed cell death (apoptosis) pathway proteins proapoptotic Bax (PDB ID 6EB6), anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 (PDB ID G5M), and the necroptosis pathway protein (PDB ID 7MON), mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL), in complex with receptor-interacting serine/threonine-protein kinase 3 (RIPK3), revealed the high probability of their interactions, highlighting the possible influence of chlorogenic acid in modulating necroptosis processes. The cell viability of rat C6 glioma cell line was assessed using a nuclear fluorescent double-staining assay with Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide. The extracts from A. annua and A. vulgaris have demonstrated anticancer activity in the glioblastoma model, with the synergistic effects of their combined compounds surpassing the efficacy of any single compound. Our results suggest the potential of these extracts as a basis for developing more effective glioblastoma treatments, emphasizing the importance of further research into their mechanisms of action and therapeutic applications.

Photochemical and Oxidative Degradation of Chamazulene Contained in Artemisia, Matricaria and Achillea Essential Oils and Setup of Protection Strategies.

Chamazulene (CA) is an intensely blue molecule with a wealth of biological properties. In cosmetics, chamazulene is exploited as a natural coloring and soothing agent. CA is unstable and tends to spontaneously degrade, accelerated by light. We studied the photodegradation of CA upon controlled exposure to UVB-UVA irradiation by multiple techniques, including GC-MS, UHPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS and by direct infusion in ESI-MSn, which were matched to in silico mass spectral simulations to identify degradation products. Seven byproducts formed upon UVA exposure for 3 h at 70 mW/cm2 (blue-to-green color change) were identified, including CA dimers and CA benzenoid, which were not found on extended 6 h irradiation (green-to-yellow fading). Photostability tests with reduced irradiance conducted in various solvents in the presence/absence of air indicated highest degradation in acetonitrile in the presence of oxygen, suggesting a photo-oxidative mechanism. Testing in the presence of antioxidants (tocopherol, ascorbyl palmitate, hydroxytyrosol, bakuchiol, γ-terpinene, TEMPO and their combinations) indicated the highest protection by tocopherol and TEMPO. Sunscreens ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate and particularly Tinosorb® S (but not octocrylene) showed good CA photoprotection. Thermal stability tests indicated no degradation of CA in acetonitrile at 50 °C in the dark for 50 days; however, accelerated degradation occurred in the presence of ascorbyl palmitate.

Polysaccharides from Artemisia argyi leaves: Environmentally friendly ultrasound-assisted extraction and antifatigue activities.

Artemisia argyi leaf polysaccharide (AALPs) were prepared through ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and their antifatigue activities were evaluated. Extraction was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM), which yielded the following optimal UAE conditions: ultrasonication power of 300 W, extraction temperature of 51 °C, liquid:solid ratio of 20 mL/g, and ultrasonication time of 47 mins. The above optimal conditions resulted in the maximum extraction rate of 10.49 %. Compared with hot water extraction (HWE), UAE supported higher yields and total sugar, uronic acid, and sulfate contents of AALPs. Meanwhile, AALP prepared through UAE (AALP-U) exhibited higher stability due to its smaller particle size and higher absolute value of zeta potential than AALP prepared through HWE (AALP-H). In addition, AALP-U demonstrated stronger antioxidant activity than AALP-H. In forced swimming tests on mice, AALP-U could significantly prolong swimming time with a dose-dependent effect, increase liver and muscle glycogen levels, and improve other biochemical indices, thus showing great potential for application in functional food.

Bio-guided isolation of a new sesquiterpene from Artemisia cina with anthelmintic activity against Haemonchus contortus L3 infective larvae.

Haemonchus contortus is a blood-feeding gastrointestinal parasite that impacts grazing sheep, causing economic losses in animal production. Due to its anthelmintic resistance, alternative antiparasitic treatments like plant-based anthelmintics are necessary to explore. Artemisia cina (Asteraceae) is a plant whose n-hexane extract and ethyl acetate extract exhibit anthelmintic activity against H. contortus, the n-hexane more active. To discover additional bioactive metabolites, a chemical analysis was performed on ethyl acetate extract, which presented an LC90 of 3.30 mg/mL and allowed the isolation of 11-[(1R,5S,7R,8R,10S,)-1,8-dihydroxy-5,10-dimethyl-4-oxodecahydroazulen-7-yl] acrylic acid. This new sesquiterpene was identified through one and two-dimensional NMR. The compound was named cinic acid and displayed an LC50 of 0.13 (0.11-0.14) mg/mL and LC90 of 0.40 (0.37-0.44) mg/mL, which, compared with ethyl acetate extract larvicidal activity, was 256-fold more active at LC50 and 15.71-fold at LC90. In this study, a new sesquiterpene with larvicidal activity against H. contortus L3 infective larvae was isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of Artemisia cina.

[A comparative study of antioxidant active components in different parts of Artemisia argyi by UPLC-ABTS-Q-TOF-MS].

In order to characterize and identify the chemical components in different parts of Artemisia argyi(roots, stems, leaves, and seeds), compounds with antioxidant activity were screened. In this study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography-2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt-quadrupole time-of-flight-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-ABTS-Q-TOF-MS) was used as an online combination technique. Poroshell 120 SB-Aq(3.0 mm×150 mm, 2.7 µm) was used as the column, and acetonitrile(A)-0.2% formic acid water(B) was adopted as the mobile phase to perform gradient elution and was scanned in positive and negative ion modes. MassLynx software was utilized, and combined with reference substances and related literature, the chemical components of different parts of A. argyi were identified and compared. The antioxidant active components were detected by using the online detection system, and the antioxidant activities of active components of different parts of A. argyi were compared and evaluated by scavenging efficiency. As a result, a total of 87 compounds were identified from extracts of different parts of A. argyi, and 38, 72, 85, and 33 components were identified from roots, stems, leaves, and seeds. 22 compounds with antioxidant activity were screened, and 14, 17, 20, and 11 compounds with antioxidant activity were identified from roots, stems, leaves, and seeds. The results show that there are certain differences in chemical components and antioxidant components of different parts of A. argyi, which provides data support for the resource utilization and further research and development of A. argyi.

Combination of Artemisia selengensis Turcz leaves polysaccharides and dicaffeoylquinic acids could be a potential inhibitor for hyperuricemia.

Caffeioyl quinic acids and polysaccharides from Artemisia selengensis Turcz are considered potential bioactive substances for hyperuricemia (HUA) treatment. While the mechanism of multi-component combined intervention of polysaccharides and dicaffeoylquinic acids (diCQAs) is not yet clear. In this study, we investigated the effect of A. selengensis Turcz leaves polysaccharides (APS) on the HUA treatment with diCQAs in vitro by direct inhibition of XOD activities and in vivo by using animal model. The results showed that APS had almost no inhibitory effect on XOD activities in vitro, but the inhibitory activity of diCQAs on XOD was affected by changes in inhibition type and inhibition constant. Compared to APS and diCQAs alone, high-dose APS and diCQAs in combination (ADPSh) could significantly reduce the production of uric acid (16.38 % reduction compared to diCQAs group) and oxidative stress damage. Additionally, this combined therapy showed promise in restoring the gut microbiota balance and increasing the short-chain fatty acids levels. The results suggested that APS and diCQAs in combination could be a potential inhibitor for HUA treatment.

Experimental and theoretical insights into Artemisia Stems aqueous extract as a sustainable and eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1 M HCl environment.

The present research demonstrates an innovative investigation of environmentally friendly mild steel (M-steel) corrosion inhibition using the artemisia stems aqueous extract (ASAEx) as an inhibitor in hydrochloric acid 1 M. The standard extraction technique of hydrodistillation was used for producing the aqueous solutions of ASAEx. To assess the ratios of the chemical components, phytochemical screening was used to identify the stems of this plant. We used a variety of methods and techniques in our research on corrosion inhibition, including weight loss measures, surface analysis methods like XPS and SEM/EDS, electrochemical testing like PDP and EIS, as well as computational lead compound evaluation. Maximum inhibitory efficacy was achieved with 400 mg/L ASAEx in 1 M HCl at 303 K, i.e. 90%. The PDP investigation verified the mixed-kind inhibitor status of the ASAEx extract. To describe the surface of M-steel, fitting and synthetic data were used to identify a constant phase element (CPE). SEM surface analysis was also used to detect the ASAEx effect on the surface of M-steel. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis shows the presence of trace molecules of ASAEx on M-steel surface characterizing the bands in Maj-ASAEx (major compound of ASAEx). Density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics simulations (MDs) were used in computational chemistry to clarify the adsorption mechanism and inhibitory impact.

Silicon and selenium alleviate cadmium toxicity in Artemisia selengensis Turcz by regulating the plant-rhizosphere.

Soil cadmium (Cd) pollution has emerged as a pressing concern due to its deleterious impacts on both plant physiology and human well-being. Silicon (Si) is renowned for its ability to mitigate excessive Cd accumulation within plant cells and reduce the mobility of Cd in soil, whereas Selenium (Se) augments plant antioxidant capabilities and promotes rhizosphere microbial activity. However, research focusing on the simultaneous utilization of Si and Se to ameliorate plant Cd toxicity through multiple mechanisms within the plant-rhizosphere remains comparatively limited. This study combined hydroponic and pot experiments to investigate the effects of the combined application of Si and Se on Cd absorption and accumulation, as well as the growth and rhizosphere of A. selengensis Turcz under Cd stress. The results revealed that a strong synergistic effect was observed between both Si and Se. The combination of Si and Se significantly increased the activity and content of enzymes and non-enzyme antioxidants within A. selengensis Turcz, reduced Cd accumulation and inhibiting its translocation from roots to shoots. Moreover, Si and Se application improved the levels of reducing sugar, soluble protein, and vitamin C, while reducing nitrite content and Cd bioavailability. Furthermore, the experimental results showed that the combination of Si and Se not only increased the abundance of core rhizosphere microorganisms, but also stimulated the activity of soil enzymes, which effectively limited the migration of Cd in the soil. These findings provided valuable insights into the effective mitigation of soil Cd toxicity to plants and also the potential applications in improving plant quality and safety.

Differential Anti-Fibrotic and Remodeling Responses of Human Dermal Fibroblasts to Artemisia sp., Artemisinin, and Its Derivatives.

Fibrosis is a ubiquitous pathology, and prior studies have indicated that various artemisinin (ART) derivatives (including artesunate (AS), artemether (AM), and dihydroartemisinin (DHA)) can reduce fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. The medicinal plant Artemisia annua L. is the natural source of ART and is widely used, especially in underdeveloped countries, to treat a variety of diseases including malaria. A. afra contains no ART but is also antimalarial. Using human dermal fibroblasts (CRL-2097), we compared the effects of A. annua and A. afra tea infusions, ART, AS, AM, DHA, and a liver metabolite of ART, deoxyART (dART), on fibroblast viability and expression of key fibrotic marker genes after 1 and 4 days of treatment. AS, DHA, and Artemisia teas reduced fibroblast viability 4 d post-treatment in up to 80% of their respective controls. After 4 d of treatment, AS DHA and Artemisia teas downregulated ACTA2 up to 10 fold while ART had no significant effect, and AM increased viability by 10%. MMP1 and MMP3 were upregulated by AS, 17.5 and 32.6 fold, respectively, and by DHA, 8 and 51.8 fold, respectively. ART had no effect, but A. annua and A. afra teas increased MMP3 5 and 16-fold, respectively. Although A. afra tea increased COL3A1 5 fold, MMP1 decreased >7 fold with no change in either transcript by A. annua tea. Although A. annua contains ART, it had a significantly greater anti-fibrotic effect than ART alone but was less effective than A. afra. Immunofluorescent staining for smooth-muscle α-actin (α-SMA) correlated well with the transcriptional responses of drug-treated fibroblasts. Together, proliferation, qPCR, and immunofluorescence results show that treatment with ART, AS, DHA, and the two Artemisia teas yield differing responses, including those related to fibrosis, in human dermal fibroblasts, with evidence also of remodeling of fibrotic ECM.

In vivo antimalarial efficacy of Artemisia afra powder suspensions.

BACKGROUND: A global death toll of 608,000 in 2022 and emerging parasite resistance to artemisinin, the mainstay of antimalarial chemotherapy derived from the Chinese herb Artemisia annua, urge the development of novel antimalarials. A clinical trial has found high antimalarial potency for aqueous extracts of A. annua as well as its African counterpart Artemisia afra, which contains only trace amounts of artemisinin. The artemisinin-independent antimalarial activity of A. afra points to the existence of other antimalarials present in the plant. However, the publication was retracted due to ethical and methodological concerns in the trial, so the only evidence for antimalarial activity of A. afra is built on in vitro studies reporting efficacy only in the microgram per milliliter range. HYPOTHESIS: Our study aims to shed more light on the controversy around the antimalarial activity of A. afra by assessing its efficacy in mice. In particular, we are testing the hypothesis that A. afra contains a pro-drug that is inactive in vitro but active in vivo after metabolization by the mammalian host. METHODS: Plasmodium berghei-infected mice were treated once or thrice (on three consecutive days) with various doses of A. afra, A. annua, or pure artemisinin. RESULTS: Aqueous powder suspensions of A. annua but not A. afra showed antimalarial activity in mice. CONCLUSION: Our experiments conducted in mice do not support the pro-drug hypothesis.

Anti-inflammatory discovery of sesquiterpenoids and a jasmonic acid derivative from Artemisia stolonifera.

Eleven previously undescribed sesquiterpenoids (8-18), one undescribed jasmonic acid derivative (35) and 28 known compounds were isolated from the leaves of Artemisia stolonifera. Undescribed compounds with their absolute configurations were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and ECD calculation. Compound 8 was identified as a rare sesquiterpenoid featuring a rearranged 5/8 bicyclic ring system, whereas compound 17 was found to be an unprecedented monocyclic sesquiterpenoid with methyl rearrangement. Evaluation of biological activity showed that compounds 1-5 and 7 displayed cytotoxicity against six tumor cells. In the meantime, compounds 11, 12, 18 and 35 exhibited inhibitory effects against LPS-stimulated NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and reduced the transcription of IL-6 and IL-1ß in a dose-dependent manner at 25, 50 and 100 µM. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory-based network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses revealed potential target proteins of 11, 12, 18 and 35.

Anti-MRSA and cytotoxic activities of different solvent extracts from Artemisia herba-alba grown in Shubak, Jordan.

Background: Globally, resistance to antimicrobial drugs is a major hazard to public health. Infections that were once easily treatable with antibiotics are becoming harder to control, leading to prolonged illnesses, increased mortality rates, and higher healthcare costs. Aim: This study intended to assess the antimicrobial, specifically the anti-Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and anticancer properties of different extracts obtained from A. herba-alba (AHA). Methods: The antibacterial tests of AHA were performed on two Gram-negative bacterial strains (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia), two Gram-positive bacterial strains (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Staphylococcus aureus). Initial screening for antibacterial activities was conducted using the well diffusion technique. Subsequently, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined through the broth-dilution assay. The anticancer test was carried out in vitro on a human colorectal carcinoma cell line (HCT-116) using MTT assay. Results: Among all extracts, n-hexane extract of AHA was the most effective against S. aureus with the highest inhibition zone (24.67 mm ± 0.58) compared to standard antibiotic (erythromycin, 24.00 mm) followed by the methanolic extract against MRSA (24.00 mm ± 1.73). The methanol extract of AHA showed the highest antibacterial activity against MRSA. The results of MIC and MBC of the AHA methanol extract against MRSA were 1.17 ± 1.09 and 9.375 ± 0.0 mg/ml, respectively, demonstrating therapeutically significant antibacterial activity. Ethyl acetate extract has no antibacterial activity against E. coli and K. pneumonia. The findings indicated that the methanol extract of AHA exhibited the highest efficacy against the colorectal carcinoma cell line (HCT-116), with an IC50 value of 126.61 ± 13.35 µg/ml. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the methanol extract of AHA could be considered as a potential agent to serve as a source of antibacterial and anticancer compounds.

Chemical composition of Artemisia argyi essential oil and its antifungal activity against dermatophytes by inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation and causing oxidative damage.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Dermatophytes are notorious pathogens capable of infecting various mammals skin, posing serious threats to human health and overall life quality worldwide. Artemisia argyi has been recorded and applied for over a thousand years to treat skin itching. Although it has the potential to be developed as a plant-based antifungal agent, it's antifungal activity and action mechanism of active ingredients are still unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical composition, antifungal activity against skin fungi, and potential mechanisms of Artemisia argyi essential oil (AEO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The chemical composition of AEO was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) firstly. Flat growth restraint and double half dilution tests was performed to evaluate AEO antifungal activity against Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Trichophyton rubrum. And then, the physiological mechanism of AEO inhibiting dermatophytes was systematically explored through scanning electron microscopy, relative conductivity, membrane leakage, ROS content, and antioxidant enzyme activity. Finally, the main pathways were screened through transcriptome sequencing, while the related genes expression levels and enzyme activity were validated. RESULTS: Monoterpenes and sesquiterpenoids were the most highly representative class of AEO. AEO had powerful antifungal activity against M. gypseum, T. mentagrophytes, and T. rubrum, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 0.6, 1.2, and 1.2 µL/mL, respectively. Moreover, AEO can also damage the cell membrane integrity of T. mentagrophytes, resulting in cellular extravasation of intracellular substances. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the main target of AEO is to inhibit electron transfer and oxidative phosphorylation during respiration, ultimately leading to obstruction of normal ATP synthesis and energy metabolism in mitochondria. And a large amount of ROS will generate due to the incompletely catalysis of oxygen under mitochondrial complexes. Coupled with the decrease of antioxidant enzyme (SOD, POD) activity, excessive accumulation of ROS will cause serious oxidative damage to cells and eventually exhibiting antifungal activity against dermatophytes. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that Artemisia argyi was a valuable source of active compounds with antifungal activity. These findings support AEO as a potential agent to inhibit dermatophytes and prevent related dermatophytoses.

Synergistic Interaction Effect of Artemisia cina n-hexane Extract and Tagetes lucida Ethyl Acetate Extract on Haemonchus Contortus.

PURPOSE: We analysed the possible synergistic activity among active extracts from Artemisia cina and Tagetes lucida combinations on Haemonchus contortus, a nematode parasitising sheep. METHODS: The work was carried out in vitro on eggs and infective larvae (L3) of H. contortus. The results were analysed with SAS 9.1, applying the ANOVA and Tukey test, and the lethal concentration (LC) values LC50 and LC90 were determined with regression analysis, employing Proc Probit of SAS 9.1. Additionally, the lethal concentration (LC) was calculated with LC50 and LC90 to determine the synergistic effect. RESULTS: The results demonstrated a high efficacy of the two plants studied on both nematode eggs and L3 larvae as well as of their combinations. The highest egg hatching inhibition was obtained with a 50/50 combination, and the best larvae mortality was obtained with 25% A. cina and 75% T. lucida at 10 mg/mL. Additionally, this combination showed a synergistic effect. CONCLUSION: The two plant species studied here can be applied as natural anthelmintic alternatives due to their high bioactive effect and synergistic response.

Phytochemical Analysis, Antimicrobial Screening and In Vitro Pharmacological Activity of Artemisia vestita Leaf Extract.

Artemisia vestita Wall. Ex Besser is a folklore medicinal plant that belongs to Asteraceae family and a treasure trove of drugs. The aim of this research study was to investigate the phytoconstituents, antimicrobial activity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxicity and wound healing potential of A. vestita leaf extract (ALE). Phytochemical analysis of the ALE was carried out by Soxhlet extraction and GCMS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) analysis. Antimicrobial activity was performed by the agar well diffusion method against selected bacterial and fungal strains. Free radical scavenging potential was evaluated by DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)) and FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) assays. Anti-inflammatory activity was performed by enzyme inhibition assay-COXII. The cytotoxicity of ALE on HaCaT cells was studied via MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. An in vitro scratch assay was performed for the evaluation of the wound healing property of ALE. It showed satisfactory antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (14.2 ± 0.28 mm), Escherichia coli (17.6 ± 0.52 mm), Bacillus subtilis (13.1 ± 0.37 mm), Streptococcus pyogenes (17.3 ± 0.64 mm), Proteus mirabilis (9.4 ± 0.56 mm), Aspergillus niger (12.7 ± 0.53 mm), Aspergilus flavus (15.3 ± 0.25 mm) and Candida albicans (17.6 ± 0.11 mm). In ALE, 36 phytochemicals were detected by GCMS analysis, but 22 were dominant. Moreover, the ALE was effective in scavenging free radicals with different assays and exhibited reasonable anti-inflammatory activity. The MTT assay revealed that ALE had a cytotoxic effect on the HaCaT cells. The scratch assay showed 94.6% wound closure (after 24 h incubation) compared to the positive control Cipladine, which is remarkable wound healing activity. This is the first report on the wound healing property of A. vestita, which can serve as a potential agent for wound healing and extends knowledge on its therapeutic potential.

Artemisia herba-alba: antioxidant capacity and efficacy in preventing chronic arthritis in vivo.

Arthritis is a debilitating condition impacting the quality of life for millions worldwide, characterized by pain and inflammation. Understanding the mechanisms of arthritis and developing effective treatments are crucial. This study investigated the hydroethanolic extract of Artemisia herba-alba for its protective potential against arthritis hallmarks, oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation in vitro. It also assessed its in vivo anti-arthritic activity. The phytochemical analysis identified various compounds within the extract, with high concentrations of polyphenols and flavonoids. These compounds are associated with numerous health benefits, making A. herba-alba a potential source of valuable phytochemicals. A. herba-alba demonstrated a notable effect in body weight loss, paw edema, and arthritic severity. Histopathological examination revealed structural improvements in bone and muscle tissues, emphasizing its therapeutic potential in managing chronic arthritis. Furthermore, while these findings are promising, further studies are necessary to delve deeper into the mechanisms underlying the observed hematological changes and to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the in vivo results. This research sets the stage for continued exploration, ultimately aiming to unlock the full potential of A. herba-alba in addressing chronic arthritis and enhancing the lives of those affected by this condition.

Artificial aging conditions for Artemisia argyi leaves based on quality-inflammation-quality marker transformation.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate conditions for storage of Artemisia argyi leaves reduce irritation during treatment and increase the active ingredient content. Naturally aged A. argyi leaves (≥1 year) are optimal for moxibustion; however, this process is time-consuming and costly. A comprehensive understanding of the conditions for artificial aging of A. argyi leaves and the mechanism of quality-marker conversion are required to guarantee A. argyi quality and moxibustion efficacy. OBJECTIVE: To identify the optimal conditions for artificial aging of A. argyi leaves and clarify the mechanism of quality-marker conversion. METHOD: Gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), colorimeter (CD), and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) were used to determine the chemical composition of A. argyi leaves before and after artificial and natural (1 year) aging and to determine the optimal artificial aging conditions. The effects of both artificially and naturally aged A. argyi leaves were then evaluated in a mouse model of ulcerative colitis (UC). The main chemical components of aged A. argyi leaves were then analyzed to determine quality-markers and the transformation mechanism. RESULTS: Comprehensive analysis of volatile and non-volatile components, color values, and characteristic near-infrared spectra revealed that the quality of artificially aged A. argyi leaves was similar to that of naturally aged A. argyi leaves. In the mouse model, artificially and naturally aged A. argyi leaves not only improved the symptoms of UC with the same therapeutic effects, but also safeguarded the barrier of the colonic mucosa and prevented the release of colitis-related substances. In addition, the content of caffeic acid converted from L-phenylalanine in A. argyi leaves increased during the aging process. CONCLUSION: Conditions for artificial aging of A. argyi leaves were identified for the first time, and the equivalent efficacy of artificially aged A. argyi leaves and naturally aged A. argyi leaves for improving UC was confirmed. This method for artificial aging of A. argyi leaves not only reduces the time and cost associated with this process, but also provides technical support to ensure the quality and stability of artificially aged A. argyi leaves. In addition, caffeic acid was identified as a potential quality-marker for establishing standards and specifications for aging A. argyi leaves for the first time, and its possible transformation mechanism was preliminarily elucidated.

Chemical profiles and bioactivities of polyphenolic extracts of Lavandula stoechas L., Artemisia dracunculus L. and Ocimum basilicum L.

This study assessed the chemical profiles and bioactivities of the infusions, decoctions and hydroethanolic extracts of tarragon, basil and French lavender. The extracts were chemically characterised (HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS) and their bioactivities were evaluated in vitro. All extracts revealed antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidant properties. French lavender extracts showed higher total phenolic content, regardless of the extraction method used, and antioxidant and antitumour capacities, but no anti-inflammatory action. All basil and two of the tarragon extracts revealed anti-inflammatory power. Thus, tarragon, basil and French lavender extracts may be considered for inclusion in foods, as preservatives or functional ingredients. Nonetheless, further studies must be conducted to evaluate the pharmacokinetic parameters of the bioactive compounds.

Artemyriantholides A-K, guaiane-type sesquiterpenoid dimers from Artemisia myriantha var. pleiocephala and their antihepatoma activity.

Artemyriantholides A-K (1-11) as well as 14 known compounds (12-25) were isolated from Artemisia myriantha var. pleiocephala (Asteraceae). The structures and absolute configuration of compounds 2 and 8-9 were confirmed by the single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, and the others were elucidated by MS, NMR spectral data and electronic circular dichroism calculations. All compounds were chemically characterized as guaiane-type sesquiterpenoid dimers (GSDs). Compound 1 was the first example of the GSD fused via C-3/C-11' and C-5/C-13' linkages, and compounds 2 and 5 were rare GSDs containing chlorine atoms. Eleven compounds showed obvious inhibitory activity in HepG2, Huh7 and SK-Hep-1 cell lines by antihepatoma assay to provide the IC50 values ranging from 7.9 to 67.1 µM. Importantly, compounds 5 and 8 exhibited the best inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 14.2 and 18.8 (HepG2), 9.0 and 11.5 (Huh7), and 8.8 and 11.3 µM (SK-Hep-1), respectively. The target of compound 5 was predicted to be MAP2K2 by a computational prediction model. The interaction between compound 5 and MAP2K2 was conducted to give docking score of -9.0 kcal/mol by molecular docking and provide KD value of 43.7 µM by Surface Plasmon Resonance assay.