Biochemical, Toxicological, and in Silico Aspects of Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D.Don (Trilliaceae): A Rich Source of Natural Bioactive Compounds.

Trillium govanianum is a high-value medicinal herb, having multifunctional traditional and culinary uses. The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the phytochemical, biological and toxicological parameters of the T. govanianum Wall. ex D. Don (Family: Trilliaceae) roots collected from Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. Phytochemical profiling was achieved by determining total bioactive contents (total phenolic and flavonoid contents) and UHPLC-MS analysis. For biological evaluation, antioxidant activities (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC, phosphomolybdenum, and metal chelation assays) and enzyme inhibition activities (against AChE, BChE, glucosidase, amylase, and tyrosinase) were performed. Moreover, cytotoxicity was assessed against three human carcinoma cell lines (MDA-MB-231, CaSki, and DU-145). The tested extract was found to contain higher total phenolics (7.56 mg GAE/g dry extract) as compared to flavonoid contents (0.45 mg RE/g dry extract). Likewise, for the antioxidant activity, higher CUPRAC activity was noted with 39.84 mg TE/g dry extract values. In the case of enzyme assays, higher activity was pointed out against the cholinesterase, glucosidase and tyrosinase enzymes. The plant extract displayed significant cytotoxicity against the cell lines examined. Moreover, the in-silico studies highlighted the interaction between the important phytochemicals and tested enzymes. To conclude, the assessed biological activity and the existence of bioactive phytochemicals in the studied plant extract may pave the way for the development of novel pharmaceuticals.

Anticandidal activity of green synthesised silver nanoparticles and extract loaded chitosan nanoparticles of Euphorbia prostata.

This study aimed to synthesize the silver nanoparticles (SNPs) and loaded chitosan nanoparticles (LCNPs) using Euphorbia prostata based on their anticandidal activity. Antioxidant capacity and the total phenolic and total flavonoid content of plant samples and synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) were also evaluated. SNPs and LCNPs were prepared, respectively using chemical reduction of silver salt solution and ionotropic gelation method. The anticandidal activity was assessed by broth micro-dilution method and the antioxidant activity was determined using free-radical scavenging assays. The synthesized NPs after the optimization process were found to be spherical with sizes ranging from 12 to 100 nm. Spectroscopic analysis of NPs showed the appearance of peaks in prescribed wavelength ranging between 402 and 493 nm. The synthesized NPs showed potent anticandidal activity compared to the free extract. The SNPs formulations NpEPM 7.5 and NpEPMR 7.5, showed significantly low MIC values ranging between 2 and 128 µg/mL. In the case of LCNPs, NpEPM (4:1) and NpEPME (4:1) also showed lower MIC values ranging from 32 to 256 µg/mL. The plant samples as well as NPs showed antioxidant potential. In addition, plant extracts and NPs possess the potent biological potential and can be further investigated through in vivo experiments.

Antioxidant, antimicrobial, enzyme inhibition, and cytotoxicity guided investigation of Sideroxylon mascatense (A.DC.) T.D. Penn. leaves extracts.

The present study demonstrates the pharmacological tendency of Sideroxylon mascatense leaves extracts, fractions and sub-fractions using thin layer chromatography, column chromatography, and phytochemical (phenolics, flavonoids) and biological assays (free radical scavenging, antioxidative, antimicrobial, enzyme inhibition). The results disclosed that fractionation practice accumulated the active phytochemicals in few fractions and finally leads to the isolation of active compounds. The structural elucidation was carried out using spectroscopic 1D (1H, 13C) 2D NMR and spectrometric techniques. The n-hexane fraction led to isolation of lupeol. From the CHCl3 and EtOAc fractions, two compounds were isolated, hentriacontanol, and lupeol, respectively. The isolated compounds were also characterized for biological activities. This study concludes that bioactivity guided isolation can be performed for isolation of active constituents from S. mascatense which can be further explored for drug development.

Fabrication of Carbamazepine Cocrystals: Characterization, In Vitro and Comparative In Vivo Evaluation.

Carbamazepine (CBZ) is an antiepileptic drug having low bioavailability due to its hydrophobic nature. In the current study, efforts are made to investigate the effect of dicarboxylic acid coformer spacer groups (aliphatic chain length) on physicochemical properties, relative humidity (RH) stability, and oral bioavailability of CBZ cocrystals. Slurry crystallization technique was employed for the preparation of CBZ cocrystals with the following coformers: adipic (AA), glutaric (GA), succinic (SA), and malonic acid (MA). Powder X-ray diffractometry and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed cocrystal preparation. Physicochemical properties, RH stability, and oral bioavailability of cocrystals were investigated. Among the prepared cocrystals, CBZ-GA showed maximum solubility as well as improved dissolution profile (CBZ-GA > CBZ-MA > CBZ-AA > pure CBZ > CBZ-SA) in ethanol. Maximum RH stability was shown by CBZ-AA, CBZ-SA, and CBZ-MA. In vivo studies confirmed boosted oral bioavailability of cocrystals compared to pure CBZ. Furthermore, in vivo studies depicted the oral bioavailability order of cocrystals as CBZ-GA > CBZ-MA > Tegral® > CBZ-AA > CBZ-SA > pure CBZ. Thus, pharmaceutical scientists can effectively employ cocrystallization technique for tuning physicochemical properties of hydrophobic drugs to achieve the desired oral bioavailability. Overall, results reflect no consistent effect of spacer group on physicochemical properties, RH stability, and oral bioavailability of cocrystals.

Metabolic fingerprinting, antioxidant characterization, and enzyme-inhibitory response of Monotheca buxifolia (Falc.) A. DC. extracts.

BACKGROUND: Ethnobotanical and plant-based products allow for the isolation of active constituents against a number of maladies. Monotheca buxifolia is used by local communities due to its digestive and laxative properties, as well as its ability to cure liver, kidney, and urinary diseases. There is a need to explore the biological activities and chemical constituents of this medicinal plant. METHODS: In this work, the biochemical potential of M. buxifolia (Falc.) A. DC was explored and linked with its biological activities. Methanol and chloroform extracts from leaves and stems were investigated for total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was used to determine secondary-metabolite composition, while high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection (HPLC-PDA) was used for polyphenolic quantification. In addition, we carried out in vitro assays to determine antioxidant potential and the enzyme-inhibitory response of M. buxifolia extracts. RESULTS: Phenolics (91 mg gallic-acid equivalent (GAE)/g) and flavonoids (48.86 mg quercetin equivalent (QE)/g) exhibited their highest concentration in the methanol extract of stems and the chloroform extract of leaves, respectively. UHPLC-MS analysis identified a number of important phytochemicals, belonging to the flavonoid, phenolic, alkaloid, and terpenoid classes of secondary metabolites. The methanol extract of leaves contained a diosgenin derivative and polygalacin D, while kaempferol and robinin were most abundant in the chloroform extract. The methanol extract of stems contained a greater peak area for diosgenin and kaempferol, whereas this was true for lucidumol A and 3-O-cis-coumaroyl maslinic acid in the chloroform extract. Rutin, epicatechin, and catechin were the main phenolics identified by HPLC-PDA analysis. The methanol extract of stems exhibited significant 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical-scavenging activities (145.18 and 279.04 mmol Trolox equivalent (TE)/g, respectively). The maximum cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) (361.4 mg TE/g), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (247.19 mg TE/g), and total antioxidant potential (2.75 mmol TE/g) were depicted by the methanol extract of stems. The methanol extract of leaves exhibited stronger inhibition against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glucosidase, while the chloroform extract of stems was most active against butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) (4.27 mg galantamine equivalent (GALAE)/g). Similarly, the highest tyrosinase (140 mg kojic-acid equivalent (KAE)/g) and amylase (0.67 mmol acarbose equivalent (ACAE)/g) inhibition was observed for the methanol extract of stems. CONCLUSIONS: UHPLC-MS analysis and HPLC-PDA quantification identified a number of bioactive secondary metabolites of M. buxifolia, which may be responsible for its antioxidant potential and enzyme-inhibitory response. M. buxifolia can be further explored for the isolation of its active components to be used as a drug.

Green and Chemical Syntheses of CdO NPs: A Comparative Study for Yield Attributes, Biological Characteristics, and Toxicity Concerns.

Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) have enormous applications due to their remarkable physical and chemical properties. The synthesis of NPs has been a matter of concern because chemical methods are toxic. On the contrary, biological methods are considered eco-friendly. To compare the toxicity and the environment-friendly nature of the synthesis methodologies, cadmium NPs were synthesized through chemical (Ch) (co-precipitation) and biological (plant extracts as reducing agent) methods. Cadmium nitrate was reduced with NaOH, while in the biological method, the Cd ions were reduced by Artemisia scoparia (As) and Cannabis sativa (Cs) extracts. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the pure single-phase cubic structure of green and chemically synthesized CdO NPs except As-CdO NPs that were crystalline cum amorphous in nature. The size of nanoparticles was 84 nm (Cs-CdO NPs) and 42.2 nm (Ch-CdO NPs). The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images exhibited an irregular disklike morphology of nanoparticles that agglomerated more in the case of green synthesis. The antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of NPs revealed that chemically synthesized NPs have better antimicrobial capability, while the antioxidative activities were better for green-synthesized NPs. However, the low yield, high ion disassociation, and waste (unreacted metal) production in the green synthesis of CdO NPs increase the risk of contamination to biosphere. Both types of NPs did not affect the seed germination of Dodonaea viscosa. However, chemically synthesized NPs were less toxic on plant morphological response. The study concludes that the chemically synthesized CdO NPs have better morphology, significant antimicrobial activity, and less toxicity to plant species compared to green-synthesized NPs. Moreover, during the green synthesis, unreacted metals are drained, which causes contamination to the ecosystem.

Phytochemical profiling and evaluation of modified resazurin microtiter plate assay of the roots of Trillium govanianum.

Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D. Don (Melanthiaceae alt. Trilliaceae), is native to the Himalayas. The present study, for the first time, was undertaken to explore the antimicrobial potential, to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the methanol extract of the roots of Trillium govanianum and its solid phase extraction (SPE) fractions by using resazurin microtiter assay (REMA) against Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial registered strains and to carry out phytochemical analysis. The remarkable amount of gallic acid equivalent phenolic and quercetin equivalent flavonoid content was manifested by MeOH extract (20.27 ± 3.03 mg GAE/g DW and 9.25 ± 0.50 mg QE/g DW respectively). The GC/MS analysis revealed the presence saturated and unsaturated components. Considerable level of antibacterial potential against Gram-positive bacteria (MIC: 2.5-0.009 mg/mL) than against Gram-negative bacteria (MIC: 2.5-0.165 mg/mL) were observed. The use of microtiter plates has the advantage of lower cost, fast and quantitative results.

Anti-oxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Lactuca serriola and its phytochemical screening by HPLC and FTIR analysis.

Lactucaserriola (L. serriola), commonly known asprickly lettuce, is an annual and biennial herb. The plant is traditionally used as sedative, hypnotic, cough suppressant, expectorant, purgative, diuretic, vasorelaxant, demulcent, antiseptic and antispasmodic. Aim of present study was to evaluate protective effect of L. serriola in paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity. Silymarin was used as a standard drug. Hepatoprotective effect of extract was determined by liver biochemical markers, anti-oxidant enzymes and blood lipid profile. Methanolic extract was found to be the most potent in in-vitro antioxidant assays and used for further studies. Treatment with paracetamol increased the level of hepatic biomarkers, blood lipid profile and decreased anti-oxidant enzyme levels. Pre-treatment with Lactuca serriola caused restoration of hepatic biomarkers, blood lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes. FTIR represented that L. serriola contains hydroxyl (-OH), carboxylic acid (C=O) and alkene (C=C) groups. HPLC analysis showed presence of polyphenolic compounds in the methanolic extract of L. serriola. It is concluded that the methanolic extract of Lactuca serriola possesses hepatoprotective potential that might be linked to the presence of polyphenolic compounds and their anti-oxidant activities.

Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, and Protein Kinase Inhibition Potential in Aloe vera L.

Aloe vera is a multifunctional plant that has gained acceptance as an excellent home remedy source in Asia and the world. The present study was intended to evaluate the phytochemical contents and in vitro antioxidant, antimicrobial, antileishmanial, and protein kinase inhibition activities in different fractions of A. vera leaf. Methanolic extract of A. vera leaves was fractionated using column chromatography and ten fractions (AV1-AV10) were obtained. Phenolics composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antileishmanial, and protein kinase inhibition activities were evaluated using standard protocols. Well-known compounds of A. vera were used for in silico study against enzymes involved in brine shrimp and antileishmanial and hyphae formation inhibition assay on the basis of results. Five fractions (AV3 to AV7) possess potential total phenolics and flavonoids contents along with significant biological activities. AV4 fraction exhibited the highest total phenolics content 332.4 ± 32.6µg GAE/mg and total antioxidant activity 150.4 ± 25.815µg AAE/mg determined by phosphomolybdenum complex assay. Fraction AV6 showed 95% antileishmanial effect as well as the lowest LD50 value of 0.5305µg/mL in brine shrimp lethality assay. The Protein Kinase inhibition potential in A. vera leaves was determined for the first time and three fractions AV1, AV6, and AV7 depicted activity with the highest zone of inhibition up to 21±0.5mm (AV7). Docking analysis showed that A. vera contains anthraquinones, anthrones, chromones, and polysaccharides responsible for synergistic cytotoxic, antileishmanial, antibacterial, and antioxidant potential of this plant. Therefore, with more studies, A. vera could probably have the potential to be used for drug development against leishmaniasis.

Cytotoxicity, In vitro anti-Leishmanial and fingerprint HPLC- photodiode array analysis of the roots of Trillium govanianum.

Trillium govanianum Wall. ex D. Don (Melanthiaceae alt. Trilliaceae), commonly known as 'nagchhatry' or 'teen patra', distributed from Pakistan to Bhutan about 2500-3800 m altitude is indigenous to Himalayas region. In folk medicine the plant has been reported for the treatment of wound healing, sepsis and in various sexual disorders. This paper reports, for the first time, to evaluate the cytotoxicity, in vitro anti-leishmanial (promastigotes) and fingerprint HPLC-photodiode array analysis of the MeOH extract of the roots of T. govanianum and its solid phase extraction fractions. Reverse phase HPLC-PDA based quantification revealed the presence of significant amount of quercetin, myrecetin and kaemferol ranging from 0.221to 0.528 µg/mg DW. MeOH extract revealed distinguishable protein kinase inhibitory activity against Streptomyces 85E strain with 18 mm bald phenotype. The remarkable toxicity profile against brine shrimps and leishmanial was manifested by MeOH extract with LC50 10 and 38.5 µg/mL, respectively.

Evaluation of resazurin microtiter plate assay and HPLC- photodiode array analysis of the roots of Asparagus adscendens.

Asparagus adscendens Roxb. (Asparagaceae), is native to the Himalayas. The present study, for the first time, was undertaken to explore the antimicrobial potential, to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the methanol extract of the roots of A. adscendens and its solid-phase extraction (SPE) fractions using resazurin microtitre assay against Gram-positive and negative bacterial-registered strains and to carry out HPLC-photodiode array analysis of the SPE fractions. The methanol extract and all SPE exhibited considerable level of antibacterial potential against Gram-positive bacteria (MIC: 2.5-0.009 mg/mL) than against Gram-negative bacteria (MIC: 1.25-2.5 mg/mL). The use of microtitre plates has the advantage of lower cost, fast and quantitative results. Like other Asparagus species, the presence of phenolic compounds in all SPE fractions was evident in the HPLC-PDA data.

Cytotoxicity of the Roots of Trillium govanianum Against Breast (MCF7), Liver (HepG2), Lung (A549) and Urinary Bladder (EJ138) Carcinoma Cells.

Trillium govanianum Wall. (Melanthiaceae alt. Trilliaceae), commonly known as 'nag chhatri' or 'teen patra', is a native species of the Himalayas. It is used in various traditional medicines containing both steroids and sex hormones. In folk medicine, the rhizomes of T. govanianum are used to treat boils, dysentery, inflammation, menstrual and sexual disorders, as an antiseptic and in wound healing. With the only exception of the recent report on the isolation of a new steroidal saponin, govanoside A, together with three known steroidal compounds with antifungal property from this plant, there has been no systematic pharmacological and phytochemical work performed on T. govanianum. This paper reports, for the first time, on the cytotoxicity of the methanol extract of the roots of T. govanianum and its solid-phase extraction (SPE) fractions against four human carcinoma cell lines: breast (MCF7), liver (HEPG2), lung (A549) and urinary bladder (EJ138), using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide cytotoxicity assay and liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry analysis of the SPE fractions. The methanol extract and all SPE fractions exhibited considerable levels of cytotoxicity against all cell lines, with the IC50 values ranging between 5 and 16 µg/mL. Like other Trillium species, presence of saponins and sapogenins in the SPE fractions was evident in the liquid chromatography mass spectrometry data. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Antidepressant-like effects of methanolic extract of Bacopa monniera in mice.

BACKGROUND: Bacopa monniera has been used as a cure for various ailments that include anxiety, epileptic disorders, dementia, blood purifier, cough and rheumatism, and some important local uses of the plant are in dermatitis, anemia, diabetes, promote fertility and prevent miscarriage for many years in Bangladesh. According to this background, the aim of the study was to evaluate the antidepressant-like effect of the methanolic extract of B. monniera (MEBM) in different behavioral models such as forced swimming test (FST), measurement of locomotor activity test (MLAT) and tail suspension test (TST) on mice after two weeks treatment. METHODS: Mice were divided into five groups (n = 5/group): control group (deionized water), standard group where Imipramine hydrochloride (30 mg/kg) was used as standard drug and three test groups where three doses of the methanolic extract of B. monniera (MEBM) (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) was used for two weeks treatment. All the drug and test samples were administered via gavage through oral route. To assess the antidepressant-like effect of MEBM forced swimming test (FST), tail suspension test (TST) and measurement of locomotor activity test (MLAT) have been done in mice. RESULTS: The results showed that a strong and dose-dependent antidepressant effects in different mice models. The main findings of the MEBM significantly reduced the duration of immobility times in the forced swimming test (p < 0.001). Likewise, the extract significantly decreased the immobility time in the tail suspension test (p < 0.001). Moreover, we employed an additional measurement of locomotor activity test to check the motor stimulating activity of the MEBM. The extract also significantly increased the locomotion, rearing and defecation effects in comparison to the control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The present results clearly demonstrate that the methanolic extract of B. monniera possesses antidepressant-like activity in the animal behavioral models. The current study warrants further investigation into identification of the active compounds in herbal medicines, in particular extract of B. monniera with antidepressant-like effects.

Antimicrobial and toxicological studies of Ochthochloa compressa plant.

The present study demonstrates the biological activity of Ochthochloa compressa, since extensive literature survey has shown no documented biological activity of this plant. Ethanolic extract of whole plant was prepared and evaporated under reduced pressure by rota vapor. The crude extract was further fractionated into n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol soluble fractions. These fractions were screened for antifungal, phytotoxic, cytotoxic and antibacterial activities. Dichloromethane soluble fraction showed significant phytotoxicity whereas n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol soluble fractions showed non-significant phytotoxicity. Similarly, ethyl acetate soluble fraction was the only fraction, which showed significant cytotoxic activity. There was no antibacterial but moderate antifungal activity was shown by these fractions against selected strains of bacteria and fungi. This is the first report on the biological activity of O. compressa.

Are famine food plants also ethnomedicinal plants? An ethnomedicinal appraisal of famine food plants of two districts of bangladesh.

Plants have served as sources of food and medicines for human beings since their advent. During famines or conditions of food scarcity, people throughout the world depend on unconventional plant items to satiate their hunger and meet their nutritional needs. Malnourished people often suffer from various diseases, much more than people eating a balanced diet. We are hypothesizing that the unconventional food plants that people eat during times of scarcity of their normal diet are also medicinal plants and thus can play a role in satiating hunger, meeting nutritional needs, and serving therapeutic purposes. Towards testing our hypothesis, surveys were carried out among the low income people of four villages in Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari districts of Bangladesh. People and particularly the low income people of these two districts suffer each year from a seasonal famine known as Monga. Over 200 informants from 167 households in the villages were interviewed with the help of a semistructured questionnaire and the guided field-walk method. The informants mentioned a total of 34 plant species that they consumed during Monga. Published literature shows that all the species consumed had ethnomedicinal uses. It is concluded that famine food plants also serve as ethnomedicinal plants.

Effects of vegetative and flowering stages on the biosynthesis of artemisinin in Artemisia species.

Artemisinin is an endoperoxide sesquiterpene lactone, and has been proven to be very effective in treating drug resistant cases of malaria, cancer, etc. The compound is obtained from Artemisia species. In the current study, the effects of vegetative and flowering stages on artemisinin production were studied, to determine the proper harvesting time of naturally growing Artemisia species with the highest levels of artemisinin. Eight Artemisia species along with two varieties were selected for this analytical work. The results showed that artemisinin content was high in the leaves of Artemisia indica, A. sieversiana, A. roxburghiana var. roxburghiana, A. roxburghiana var. gratae, and A. parviflora at the flowering stage. The highest artemisinin content was measured in the leaves of A. dracunculus var. dracunculus. Upon comparisons of artemisinin content among the individual plant species, the highest amount of artemisinin was again in A. dracunculus var. dracunculus followed by A. sieversiana when harvested at the flowering stage. In overall comparisons, the plants at the flowering stage showed high levels of artemisinin, which is deemed the optimum harvesting time of Artemisia species in Pakistan for maximum artemisinin content.

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.

Survey of artemisinin production by diverse Artemisia species in northern Pakistan.

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