In vivo assessment of the antiparasitic effects of Allium sativum L. and Artemisia absinthium L. against gastrointestinal parasites in swine from low-input farms.

BACKGROUND: Ethno-veterinary practices could be used as a sustainable developmental tool by integrating traditional phytotherapy and husbandry. Phytotherapeutics are available and used worldwide. However, evidence of their antiparasitic efficacy is currently very limited. Parasitic diseases have a considerable effect on pig production, causing economic losses due to high morbidity and mortality. In this respect, especially smallholders and organic producers face severe challenges. Parasites, as disease causing agents, often outcompete other pathogens in such extensive production systems. A total of 720 faecal samples were collected in two farms from three age categories, i.e. weaners, fatteners, and sows. Flotation (Willis and McMaster method), modified Ziehl-Neelsen stained faecal smear, centrifugal sedimentation, modified Blagg technique, and faecal cultures were used to identify parasites and quantify the parasitic load. RESULTS: The examination confirmed the presence of infections with Eimeria spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Balantioides coli (syn. Balantidium coli), Ascaris suum, Oesophagostomum spp., Strongyloides ransomi, and Trichuris suis, distributed based on age category. A dose of 180 mg/kg bw/day of Allium sativum L. and 90 mg/kg bw/day of Artemisia absinthium L. powders, administered for 10 consecutive days, revealed a strong, taxonomy-based antiprotozoal and anthelmintic activity. CONCLUSIONS: The results highlighted the therapeutic potential of both A. sativum and A. absinthium against gastrointestinal parasites in pigs. Their therapeutic effectiveness may be attributed to the content in polyphenols, tocopherols, flavonoids, sterols, sesquiterpene lactones, and sulfoxide. Further research is required to establish the minimal effective dose of both plants against digestive parasites in pigs.

The Essential Oil Compositions of Ambrosia acanthicarpa Hook., Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt., and Gutierrezia sarothrae (Pursh) Britton & Rusby (Asteraceae) from the Owyhee Mountains of Idaho.

As part of our interest in the volatile phytoconstituents of aromatic plants of the Great Basin, we have obtained essential oils of Ambrosia acanthicarpa (three samples), Artemisia ludoviciana (12 samples), and Gutierrezia sarothrae (six samples) from the Owyhee Mountains of southwestern Idaho. Gas chromatographic analyses (GC-MS, GC-FID, and chiral GC-MS) were carried out on each essential oil sample. The essential oils of A. acanthicarpa were dominated by monoterpene hydrocarbons, including α-pinene (36.7-45.1%), myrcene (21.6-25.5%), and ß-phellandrene (4.9-7.0%). Monoterpene hydrocarbons also dominated the essential oils of G. sarothrae, with ß-pinene (0.5-18.4%), α-phellandrene (2.2-11.8%), limonene (1.4-25.4%), and (Z)-ß-ocimene (18.8-39.4%) as major components. The essential oils of A. ludoviciana showed wide variation in composition, but the relatively abundant compounds were camphor (0.1-61.9%, average 14.1%), 1,8-cineole (0.1-50.8%, average 11.1%), (E)-nerolidol (0.0-41.0%, average 6.8%), and artemisia ketone (0.0-46.1%, average 5.1%). This is the first report on the essential oil composition of A. acanthicarpa and the first report on the enantiomeric distribution in an Ambrosia species. The essential oil compositions of A. ludoviciana and G. sarothrae showed wide variation in composition in this study and compared with previous studies, likely due to subspecies variation.

Genetics and metabolic responses of Artemisia annua L to the lake of phosphorus under the sparingly soluble phosphorus fertilizer: evidence from transcriptomics analysis.

The medicinal herb Artemisia annua L. is prized for its capacity to generate artemisinin, which is used to cure malaria. Potentially influencing the biomass and secondary metabolite synthesis of A. annua is plant nutrition, particularly phosphorus (P). However, most soil P exist as insoluble inorganic and organic phosphates, which results to low P availability limiting plant growth and development. Although plants have developed several adaptation strategies to low P levels, genetics and metabolic responses to P status remain largely unknown. In a controlled greenhouse experiment, the sparingly soluble P form, hydroxyapatite (Ca5OH(PO4)3/CaP) was used to simulate calcareous soils with low P availability. In contrast, the soluble P form KH2PO4/KP was used as a control. A. annua's morphological traits, growth, and artemisinin concentration were determined, and RNA sequencing was used to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) under two different P forms. Total biomass, plant height, leaf number, and stem diameter, as well as leaf area, decreased by 64.83%, 27.49%, 30.47%, 38.70%, and 54.64% in CaP compared to KP; however, LC-MS tests showed an outstanding 37.97% rise in artemisinin content per unit biomass in CaP contrary to KP. Transcriptome analysis showed 2015 DEGs (1084 up-regulated and 931 down-regulated) between two P forms, including 39 transcription factor (TF) families. Further analysis showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in carbohydrate metabolism, secondary metabolites biosynthesis, enzyme catalytic activity, signal transduction, and so on, such as tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, glycolysis, starch and sucrose metabolism, flavonoid biosynthesis, P metabolism, and plant hormone signal transduction. Meanwhile, several artemisinin biosynthesis genes were up-regulated, including DXS, GPPS, GGPS, MVD, and ALDH, potentially increasing artemisinin accumulation. Furthermore, 21 TF families, including WRKY, MYB, bHLH, and ERF, were up-regulated in reaction to CaP, confirming their importance in P absorption, internal P cycling, and artemisinin biosynthesis regulation. Our results will enable us to comprehend how low P availability impacts the parallel transcriptional control of plant development, growth, and artemisinin production in A. annua. This study could lay the groundwork for future research into the molecular mechanisms underlying A. annua's low P adaptation.

Natural herb wormwood-based microneedle array for wound healing.

Artemisia argyi, commonly known as wormwood, is a traditional Chinese herbal food and medicine celebrated for its notable antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This study explores a novel delivery method for wormwood, aiming for more convenient and versatile applications. Specifically, we present the first investigation into combining wormwood with microstructures to create a microneedle (MN) patch for wound healing. The wormwood microneedle (WMN) patch is formulated with milled wormwood sap, calcium carbonate, and sodium hyaluronate. The addition of 0.3% (w/v) sodium hyaluronate enhances the mechanical strength of the WMN patch. Pectin, derived from wormwood, is combined with calcium carbonate to create a gelatinous and solidified substance. The WMN patch exhibits a well-defined shape and sufficient mechanical strength to penetrate the epidermis, as confirmed by our results. In vitro experiments demonstrate the biocompatibility of the WMN patch with fibroblasts and highlight its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, the patch facilitates collagen deposition at the wound site. In an excisional rat model, the WMN patch significantly accelerates the wound closure rate compared to the control group. Our findings suggest that the WMN patch has the potential to serve as a natural treatment for wound healing. Additionally, this approach can be extended to other biologically active substances with similar physiochemical characteristics in future applications.

Wormwood-infused porous-CaCO3 for synthesizing antibacterial natural rubber latex.

Wormwood leaf is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with a high medicinal value and long application history and its essential oil is a high-purity plant oil extracted from Wormwood leaf. Pharmacological research reveals that Wormwood leaf and Wormwood essential oil are a broad-spectrum antibacterial and antiviral drug, which can inhibit and kill many bacteria and viruses. We loaded wormwood extract on porous calcium carbonate (Porous-CaCO3) and introduced it and Wormwood essential oil into Natural rubber latex (NRL), thus synthesizing NRL composites with excellent vitro and in vivo antibacterial effect, cell compatibility and mechanical properties. This NRL material can delay the light aging and thermal oxidation of some mechanical properties, which provides a broader avenue for its commercialization.

Hydrogel Encapsulating Wormwood Essential Oil with Broad-spectrum Antibacterial and Immunomodulatory Properties for Infected Diabetic Wound Healing.

The integration of hydrogels with bio-friendly functional components through simple and efficient strategies to construct wound dressings with broad-spectrum antibacterial and immunomodulatory properties to promote the healing of infected diabetic wounds is highly desirable but remains a major challenge. Here, wormwood essential oil (WEO) is effectively encapsulated in the hydrogel via an O/W-Pickering emulsion during the polymerization of methacrylic anhydride gelatin (GelMA), acrylamide (AM), and acrylic acid N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (AAc-NHS) to form a multifunctional hydrogel dressing (HD-WEO). Compared with conventional emulsions, Pickering emulsions not only improve the encapsulation stability of the WEO, but also enhance the tensile and swelling properties of hydrogel. The synergistic interaction of WEO's diverse bioactive components provides a broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and MRSA. In addition, the HD-WEO can induce the polarization of macrophages from M1 to M2 phenotype. With these advantages, the broad-spectrum antibacterial and immunomodulatory HD-WEO effectively promotes the collagen deposition and neovascularization, thereby accelerating the healing of MRSA-infected diabetic wounds.

Effects of Fermented Artemisia annua L. and Salicornia herbacea L. on Inhibition of Obesity In Vitro and In Mice.

Plant extracts including secondary metabolites have anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity activities. This study was conducted to investigate the anti-obesity properties of fermented Artemisia annua (AW) and Salicornia herbacea (GW) in vitro and in mice. The metabolite profiling of AW and GW extracts was performed using UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS/MS, and gene expression was analyzed using real-time PCR for adipocyte difference factors. The anti-obesity effects in mice were measured using serum AST, ALT, glucose, TG, and cholesterol levels. Metabolites of the plant extracts after fermentation showed distinct differences with increasing anti-obesity active substances. The efficacy of inhibitory differentiation adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 adipocytes was better for GW than AW in a concentration-dependent manner. RT-PCR showed that the GW extract significantly reduced the expression of genes involved in adipocyte differentiation and fat accumulation (C/EBPα, PPARγ, and Fas). In C57BL/6 mice fed the HFD, the group supplemented with AW and GW showed reduced liver weight, NAS value, and fatty liver by suppressing liver fat accumulation. The GW group significantly reduced ALT, blood glucose, TG, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol. This study displayed significant metabolite changes through biotransformation in vitro and the increasing anti-obesity effects of GW and AW in mice. GW may be applicable as functional additives for the prevention and treatment of obesity.

Artemisia annua L. (Sweet wormwood) leaf extract attenuates high-fat diet-induced testicular dysfunctions and improves spermatogenesis in obese rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Artemisia annua L., known as "sweet wormwood," is widely used in Egyptian folk medicine. Egyptians implement the aerial parts in the treatment of respiratory, digestive and sexual dysfunctions. However, the mechanism by which Artemisia annua improves testicular function is still being discovered. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to evaluate the modulatory effects of the crude leaf extract of Artemisia annua (AAE) on a high-fat diet induced testicular dysfunction in rats and compare it with the antilipolytic drug Orlistat. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty adult rats were randomly classified and assigned to four groups. The first group typically consumed a balanced diet and served as a negative control (GP1). A high-fat diet-induced obesity was applied to the other three groups for 12 weeks. A positive control remained on HFD for another 8 weeks, which is GP2. Other groups were administered for 8 consecutive weeks either with Orlistat (50 mg/kg body weight) or AAE (100 mg/kg body weight), which have been defined as GP3 and GP4, respectively. Testosterone (TST), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined in the sera of all groups. In addition, the oxidant/antioxidant biomarkers such as protein carbonyl, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase isoenzyme-B (CK-MB) were determined. An immunohistochemical stain with the apoptotic marker caspase-3 and the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were also investigated. RESULTS: In the testes of the obese group, the results showed hormonal imbalance, an increase in oxidative stress biomarkers and apoptosis. In the group treated with orlistat (GP3), noticeably more perturbations were noted. The obese rats that had been treated with AAE (GP4) showed a significantly reduced level of oxidative stress, hormonal balance restoration and reduced apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: The crude leaf extract of A. annua is a potential herbal therapeutic for the treatment of obesity-related testicular dysfunction and the restoration of hormonal imbalance in obese rats.

Gastroprotective effect of Artemisia absinthium L.: A medicinal plant used in the treatment of digestive disorders.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.) is traditionally used for stomach pain and gastric relief. However, its possible gastroprotective effect has not yet been experimentally evaluated. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study evaluated the gastroprotective effect of aqueous extracts obtained through hot and room temperature maceration of A. absinthium aerial parts in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The gastroprotective effect of hot aqueous extract (HAE) and room temperature aqueous extract (RTAE) from A. absinthium aerial parts were evaluated in rats using a model of acute gastric ulcer induced by ethanol p.a. The stomachs were collected to measure the gastric lesion area and histological and biochemical analysis. UHPLC-HRMS/MS analysis was used to determine the chemical profile of the extracts. RESULTS: Eight main peaks in the UHPLC chromatogram were identified in both HAE and RTAE extracts: tuberonic acid glycoside (1), rupicolin (2), 2-hydroxyeupatolide (3), yangabin (4), sesartemin (5), artemetin (6), isoalantodiene (7), and dehydroartemorin (8). For RTAE, a higher diversity of sesquiterpene lactones was observed. The groups treated with RTAE at 3%, 10%, and 30% presented a gastroprotective effect, reducing the lesion area by 64.68%, 53.71%, and 90.04%, respectively, when compared with the vehicle (VEH)-treated group. On the other hand, the groups treated with HAE at 3%, 10%, and 30% presented values of lesion areas higher than those of the VEH group. Changes in the submucosa layer, inflammatory process with edema, cellular infiltration, and mucin depletion were detected in the gastric mucosa exposed to ethanol, which was fully prevented by RTAE treatment. Neither HAE nor RTAE could increase the reduced glutathione levels in the injured gastric tissue, but RTAE (30%) reduced the formation of lipid hydroperoxides. When the rats were pre-treated with NEM (a chelator of non-protein thiols) or L-NAME (non-selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), the RTAE lost the ability to protect the gastric mucosa. CONCLUSIONS: This study corroborates the ethnopharmacological use of this specie to treat gastric disorders revealing the gastroprotective effect of the room-temperature aqueous extract of A. absinthium aerial parts. Its mode of action may involve the ability of the infusion to maintain the gastric mucosal barrier integrity.

Effect of Foliar Sodium Selenate and Nano Selenium Supply on Biochemical Characteristics, Essential Oil Accumulation and Mineral Composition of Artemisia annua L.

Selenium (Se) biofortification of aromatic plants is a promising strategy to produce valuable functional food with high biological activity and enhanced essential oil yield. The experiment carried out in 2021 and 2022 on A. annua treated with sodium selenate or nano-Se sprayed on foliar apparatus demonstrated a significant increase in photosynthetic pigments, pectin, waxes, macro- and microelements and a decrease in malonic dialdehyde (MDA) accumulation. Contrary to literature reports, neither selenate nor nano-Se showed a beneficial effect on essential oil accumulation; the oil yield did not differ between the selenate treated and control plants but was halved by the nano-Se application. Extremely high variations in the number of essential oil components, as well as in the eucalyptol, artemisia ketone, camphor and germacrene D ratio in the 2021 and 2022 experiments were recorded. The analysis of the 2016-2022 data for oil yield and composition in the control plants revealed a direct correlation between the number of components and of solar flares, and a negative correlation between oil yield and the percentage of spotless days. Both control plants and plants fortified with selenium showed higher levels of germacrene D and lower levels of artemisia ketone in 2022, characterized by more remarkable solar activity compared to 2021. Nano-Se supply resulted in the highest percentage of germacrene D accumulation. The results of the present research highlight the importance of the solar activity effect on the essential oil yield and quality of aromatic plants.

A recombinant Artemisia vulgaris pollen adjuvanted Art v 1 protein-based vaccine treats allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma using pre- and co-seasonal ultrashort immunotherapy regimens in sensitized mice.

Allergic rhinitis is an important risk factor for bronchial asthma. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is the gold standard for treatment of allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma. A disadvantage of current ASIT methods is the length of therapy which requires numerous allergen administrations. The success of ASIT is determined by its schedule, which, depending on the vaccine and type of allergy, can be pre-seasonal (before the allergy season begins), combined pre/co-seasonal (during the allergy season) etc. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a vaccine based on recombinant Artemisia vulgaris pollen major Art v 1 protein formulated with ISA-51 adjuvant for therapy of allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma in Artemisia-sensitized mice in an ultrashort (4 subcutaneous injections at weekly intervals) pre- and co-seasonal ASIT regimen. To simulate co-seasonal ASIT in mice, mice were regularly challenged with intranasal and nebulized Artemisia vulgaris pollen extract at the same time as receiving subcutaneous ASIT. For comparison, we used a previous Art v 1 protein vaccine formulated with SWE adjuvant, which in this study was modified by adding CpG oligonucleotide (Th1-biasing synthetic toll-like receptor 9 agonist), and a commercial vaccine containing a modified Artemisia vulgaris extract with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. The therapeutic potential of Art v 1 based vaccine formulations with different ASIT regimens was evaluated in high and low (10 times lower) dose regimens. The ISA-51-adjuvanted vaccine formulations were the only ones among those studied in the ultrashort pre- and co-seasonal ASIT regimens to provide significant reduction in both signs of allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma in sensitized mice (vs. positive control). In the ISA-51 adjuvanted group, immune response polarization toward Th1/Treg was observed in pre-seasonal ASIT, as reflected in a significant decrease in the serum level of total and Art v 1-specific IgE and increased ratios of allergen-specific IgG2a/IgG1 and IFN-γ/IL-4. The high dose SWE-CpG-adjuvanted vaccine had similar efficacy to the ISA-51 adjuvanted groups whereas the commercial vaccine showed significantly less effectiveness. The findings support further preclinical safety studies of the Art v 1-based vaccine formulated with ISA-51 adjuvant.

Synthesis of Thiophene/Furan-Artemisinin Hybrid Molecules.

Natural products with semi-synthetic molecules displays higher biological activities, and creates new biological properties for the treatment of diseases. Although, natural products like artemisinin have been used as a traditional medicine over thousands of years, structure and biological properties of many natural products were investigated in the 20th century. Design and synthesis of new biologically active compounds including natural products have very critical roles to find novel drug candidates. Herein, novel thiophene/furan bridge artemisinin derivatives were synthesized by starting from artemisinin. Firstly, benzothiophene derivatives are synthesized, then Steglich esterification reactions give the new artemisinin hybrid molecules with moderate to high yields.

Evaluation of a Novel Adjuvanted Vaccine for Ultrashort Regimen Therapy of Artemisia Pollen-Induced Allergic Bronchial Asthma in a Mouse Model.

Wormwood (Artemisia) pollen is among the top 10 aeroallergens globally that cause allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma. Allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) is the gold standard for treating patients with allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma. A significant disadvantage of today's ASIT methods is the long duration of therapy and multiplicity of allergen administrations. The goal of this study was to undertake a pilot study in mice of a novel ultrashort vaccine immunotherapy regimen incorporating various adjuvants to assess its ability to treat allergic bronchial asthma caused by wormwood pollen. We evaluated in a mouse model of wormwood pollen allergy candidates comprising recombinant Art v 1 wormwood pollen protein formulated with either newer (Advax, Advax-CpG, ISA-51) or more traditional [aluminum hydroxide, squalene water emulsion (SWE)] adjuvants administered by the intramuscular or subcutaneous route vs. intranasal administration of a mucosal vaccine formulation using chitosan-mannose nanoparticle entrapped with Art v 1 protein. The vaccine formulations were administered to previously wormwood pollen-sensitized animals, four times at weekly intervals. Desensitization was determined by measuring decreases in immunoglobulin E (IgE), cellular immunity, ear swelling test, and pathological changes in the lungs of animals after aeroallergen challenge. Art v 1 protein formulation with Advax, Advax-CpG, SWE, or ISA-51 adjuvants induced a significant decrease in both total and Art v 1-specific IgE with a concurrent increase in Art v 1-specific IgG compared to the positive control group. There was a shift in T-cell cytokine secretion toward a Th1 (Advax-CpG, ISA-51, and Advax) or a balanced Th1/Th2 (SWE) pattern. Protection against lung inflammatory reaction after challenge was seen with ISA-51, Advax, and SWE Art v 1 formulations. Overall, the ISA-51-adjuvanted vaccine group induced the largest reduction of allergic ear swelling and protection against type 2 and non-type 2 lung inflammation in challenged animals. This pilot study shows the potential to develop an ultrashort ASIT regimen for wormwood pollen-induced bronchial asthma using appropriately adjuvanted recombinant Art v 1 protein. The data support further preclinical studies with the ultimate goal of advancing this therapy to human clinical trials.

New Plant Species Showing Antiprotozoian Activity.

The effects of extracts of ten plant species from Russia and five species from Vietnam on the growth and survival of ciliates Tetrahymena pyriformis were studied. T. pyriformis belongs to the subkingdom Protozoa, which also includes pathogens of protozoan infections. Extraction of dried plants was carried out with acidic and alkaline aqueous solutions, as well as with an aqueous ethanol. Various amounts of extracts were added to the ciliate cells, and the number of cells survived after incubation for 1 and 24 h was recorded. We found that our samples of several plants, including wormwood, harmala, and licorice, similarly to those studied earlier, exhibit antiprotozoal activity, which may indicate that the secondary metabolites are the same in plants from different regions. Using the ciliate T. pyriformis as a model organism, the presence of antiprotozoal activity in extracts of lilac, chondrilla, cinquefoil, hop, and elm was shown for the first time.

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 nanoparticles–treated plants in the presence of 150 mM salinity stress and the lowest levels in the 10 mg L-¹ nanoparticles–treated plants under 50 mM salinity stress. The maximum DBR2 gene expression was recorded in the 10 mg L-¹ nanoparticles–treated 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 nanoparticles–treated plants. The maximum amounts of artemisinin and ADS gene expression were reported from the plants in the same nanoparticles treatment and salinity stress [...].

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 [...],

Traditional Latvian herbal medicinal plants used to treat parasite infections of small ruminants: A review.

Numerous treatment agents offering prophylaxis against livestock parasites are commercially available. However, because of increasing antiparasitic drug resistance, the increased popularity of environmentally friendly lifestyle choices, and organic farming, there is more demand for new alternatives to livestock anthelmintic control strategies and medications. It is important to develop antiparasitics that are safe, effective, inexpensive, and environmentally safe. Local, traditional herbal plants such as tansy, mugwort, wormwood, and heather may serve as treatments for intestinal parasites of sheep. This overview provides knowledge of traditional Latvian plants with antiparasitic activities to establish a database for further research to develop new herbal antiparasitic drugs.

Artemisia abrotanum L. (Southern Wormwood)-History, Current Knowledge on the Chemistry, Biological Activity, Traditional Use and Possible New Pharmaceutical and Cosmetological Applications.

Artemisia abrotanum L. (southern wormwood) is a plant species with an important position in the history of European and Asian medicine. It is a species famous as a medicinal plant in Central Asia, Asia Minor, and in South-East and Central Europe. The raw materials obtained from this species are Abrotani herba and Abrotani folium. In the traditional European medicine, they have been used successfully most of all in liver and biliary tract diseases, in parasitic diseases in children and as antipyretic medication. In the official European medicine, this plant species is recommended by the French Pharmacopoeia for use in homeopathy. In many European countries, it is used traditionally in allopathy. The latest studies on the biological activity of extracts from the aboveground parts of the plant and/or the leaves, and/or the essential oil have provided evidence of other possible applications related to their antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anticancer, and antiallergic properties. The latest studies have also focused on the repellent activity of the essential oil of this species and the possibility to use it in the prevention of diseases in which insects are the vectors. The main substances obtained from the plant that are responsible for this activity are: the essential oil, coumarins, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. Some of the latest investigations emphasize the large differences in the composition of the essential oil, determined by the geographical (climatic) origin of the plant. A. abrotanum is recommended by the European Cosmetic Ingredients Database (CosIng) as a source of valuable cosmetic ingredients. Additionally, the leaves of this species possess a well-established position in the food industry. This plant species is also the object of biotechnological studies.

Chemotypic variation of non-volatile constituents of Artemisia afra (African wormwood) from South Africa.

Artemisia afra (African wormwood) is a popular medicinal plant of southern Africa and is an excellent candidate for commercialisation. This current study was aimed at exploring the phytochemistry and chemical variation of non-volatile compounds within wild populations of A. afra, and developing chromatographic quality control protocols for raw materials based on the identification of marker compounds. Chromatographic data, from samples representing 12 distinct populations, were obtained using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. An untargeted chemometric approach revealed three clusters. Marker compounds for each cluster, revealed through discriminant analysis, were isolated and identified using NMR spectroscopy, as acacetin (1) (Group 1), chrysoeriol (2) (Group 2), and 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (3) and scopoletin (4) (Group 3). In addition, (3) and rutin (5), (both reported for the first time from A. afra), and (1), (2), (4) and 4-caffeoylquinic acid (6) were established as reliable markers for species identification, since they were abundant in most samples. Quantitative analysis using a validated method established (4) as the dominant compound in the samples (1080-19,600 µg/g dry weight (d.w.)), followed by (5) (49.5-2490 µg/g d.w.). A high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method was developed. The Rf values and colours of the bands corresponding to the marker compounds were recorded so that these compounds could be easily identified for quality control purposes. Multivariate analysis of the data using the rTLC online application confirmed the presence of different chemical groupings within the samples. It was deduced that quantitative, rather than qualitative differences, characterised the samples. Future research should focus on comparing the efficacy of the various chemical clusters in multi-target biological assays aligned to the traditional use of the plant.

Ethanolic extract of Artemisia campestris subsp. glutinosa (Besser) Batt. inhibits HIV-1 replication in vitro through the activity of terpenes and flavonoids on viral entry and NF-κB pathway.

ETHNO-PHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The genus Artemisia spp. is well known for its anti-infectious properties and its high content in anti-infectious compounds, like the well-known sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua L.). Another Artemisia species, Artemisia campestris subsp. glutinosa (Besser) Batt., field wormwood, has been traditionally used as medicinal plant in the Mediterranean region. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-HIV activity of field wormwood, to identify the compounds responsible for this activity and their structure and mechanism of action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Antiviral activity of isolated compounds and extracts was evaluated in HIV-1 infections of lymphoblastoid cells. We also evaluated the mechanism of action of isolated compounds. Viral entry was studied comparing the inhibitory effect of isolated compounds on wild type HIV-1 and VSV pseudotyped HIV-1. To assess the viral transcriptional effect, plasmids encoding luciferase reporter genes under the control of the whole genome of HIV-1 or NF-κB or Sp1 transcription factors were transfected in the presence of the compounds under evaluation. Finally, antioxidant activity was assessed by quantitation of reduced and total glutathione in treated cell cultures. RESULTS: Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Artemisia campestris subsp. glutinosa (Besser) Batt. subsp. glutinosa displayed anti-HIV activity in vitro, although ethanolic extract was more powerful (IC50 14.62 µg/mL). Bio-guided ethanolic extract fractionation leads to the isolation and characterization of two terpenes, damsin and canrenone, and four flavonoids, 6, 2', 4'-trimethoxyflavone, acerosin, cardamonin and xanthomicrol. All the isolated compounds inhibited HIV-1 replication in vitro with IC50 values between the middle nanomolar and the low micromolar range. Their anti-HIV mechanism of action is due to the bloking of viral entry and/or transcription inhibition, without correlation with the antioxidant activity, through interference with the cellular transcription factors NF-κB and Sp1, which are targets that are not currently reached by antiretroviral therapy. CONCLUSION: We describe here the anti-HIV activity of field wormwood, Artemisia campestris subsp. glutinosa (Besser) Batt., and the isolation and study of the mechanism of action of two terpenes and four flavonoids, responsible, at least in part, for its activity, through the inhibition of two different cellular targets affecting the HIV replication cycle. The activity of these compounds in cellular targets could explain why plant extracts can be used in the treatment of different diseases. Besides, the presence of several compounds with dual and different mechanisms of action could prove useful in the treatment of HIV-1 infection, since it could aid to overcome drug resistances and simplify drug therapy. This work is a further step in understanding the anti-infectious activity of wormwood species and their use in treating infectious diseases.

Artemisia absinthium L.-Importance in the History of Medicine, the Latest Advances in Phytochemistry and Therapeutical, Cosmetological and Culinary Uses.

Artemisia absinthium-wormwood (Asteraceae)-is a very important species in the history of medicine, formerly described in medieval Europe as "the most important master against all exhaustions". It is a species known as a medicinal plant in Europe and also in West Asia and North America. The raw material obtained from this species is Absinthii herba and Artemisiae absinthii aetheroleum. The main substances responsible for the biological activity of the herb are: the essential oil, bitter sesquiterpenoid lactones, flavonoids, other bitterness-imparting compounds, azulenes, phenolic acids, tannins and lignans. In the official European medicine, the species is used in both allopathy and homeopathy. In the traditional Asian and European medicine, it has been used as an effective agent in gastrointestinal ailments and also in the treatment of helminthiasis, anaemia, insomnia, bladder diseases, difficult-to-heal wounds, and fever. Today, numerous other directions of biological activity of the components of this species have been demonstrated and confirmed by scientific research, such as antiprotozoal, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-ulcer, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, cytotoxic, analgesic, neuroprotective, anti-depressant, procognitive, neurotrophic, and cell membrane stabilizing and antioxidant activities. A. absinthium is also making a successful career as a cosmetic plant. In addition, the importance of this species as a spice plant and valuable additive in the alcohol industry (famous absinthe and vermouth-type wines) has not decreased. The species has also become an object of biotechnological research.