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Background. The 2015 Nobel Prize in Medicine, awarded for the discovery of artemisinin in Artemisia annua, reignited interest in aromatic plants, including Artemisia absinthium L. This article delves into the historical, ethnopharmacological and medicinal significance of A. absinthium, examining its bitter taste noted since ancient Greek times and its association with medicinal properties throughout history. Despite being banned in the 20th century due to perceived health risks; recent research has led to the reconsideration of A. absinthium's potential applications. This study focuses on the prebiotic efficacy of essential oils (EOs) from two Artemisia species: A. absinthium and A. annua. Materials and methods. A broth microdilution test, growth curve test and in vivo models were used to study the impact of low doses (from 0.5% v/v to 0.00048 v/v) of Artemisia spp-EO on the three probiotic strains (Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus casei and Saccharomyces boulardii). Results. These essential oils, when used in minimal concentrations (lower than 0.06% v/v), are safe and exhibit prebiotic effects on major probiotic strains, supporting the traditional culinary use of Artemisia spp. Conclusion. This research opens avenues for potential applications in the food industry, emphasizing the need for further exploration into the prebiotic properties of Artemisia spp-EOs and their influence on the microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The 2015 Nobel Prize in Medicine, awarded for the discovery of artemisinin in Artemisia annua, reignited interest in aromatic plants, including Artemisia absinthium L. This article delves into the historical, ethnopharmacological and medicinal significance of A. absinthium, examining its bitter taste noted since ancient Greek times and its association with medicinal properties throughout history. Despite being banned in the 20th century due to perceived health risks; recent research has led to the reconsideration of A. absinthium’s potential applications. This study focuses on the prebiotic efficacy of essential oils (EOs) from two Artemisia species: A. absinthium and A. annua. Materials and methods. A broth microdilution test, growth curve test and in vivo models were used to study the impact of low doses (from 0.5% v/v to 0.00048 v/v) of Artemisia spp-EO on the three probiotic strains (Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus casei and Saccharomyces boulardii). Results. These essential oils, when used in minimal concentrations (lower than 0.06% v/v), are safe and exhibit prebiotic effects on major probiotic strains, supporting the traditional culinary use of Artemisia spp. Conclusion. This research opens avenues for potential applications in the food industry, emphasizing the need for further exploration into the prebiotic properties of Artemisia spp-EOs and their influence on the microbiota.

Copyright of Ecoscience (Ecoscience) is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The widespread misuse of antibiotics leads to a rapid development of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens all over the globe, resulting in serious difficulties when treating infectious diseases. Possible solutions are not limited to the development of novel synthetic antibiotics but extend to application of plant-derived products either alone or in combination with common antibiotics. The aim of this actual review was to survey the literature from the past 10 years regarding the antibacterial effects of distinct Artemisia species including Artemisia absinthiae constituting an integral component of the Absinthe drink. We further explored the synergistic antibacterial effects of the Artemisia plant products with established antibiotics. The survey portrays the Artemisia derived compounds as potent antibacterial agents that can even restore the efficacy of antibiotics against MDR bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and MDR Escherichia coli. This, in turn, is presumably triggered in part by the interaction of the Artemisia ingredients with the efflux pumps of MDR bacteria. In conclusion, biologically active molecules in Artemisia plants enhance the antibiotic susceptibility of resistant bacteria, which provide promising future therapeutic strategies to combat MDR bacterial pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peu de boissons sont aussi présentes dans la culture française que l’absinthe, ce spiritueux à base de Artemisia absinthium, autrement nommée herbe de la Saint-Jean. Traitée par les uns comme fée verte, accusée par les autres « qu’elle rend fou et criminel, fait de l’homme une bête et menace l’avenir de notre temps » (formulations des ligues de vertu du début du XXe s.), l’absinthe a fourni un motif largement exploité dans la littérature, dans la peinture, dans la chanson etc. L’usage de l’absinthe s’est largement popularisé à la fin du XIXe et au début de XXe siècle. Par conséquent, la boisson a obtenu en français plusieurs appellations informelles, oscillant entre les formulations mélioratives comme nymphe verte et péjoratives comme poison vert. Dans notre article, il sera question de présenter le lexique de l’absinthe, standard et non standard, ainsi que la façon dont différents auteurs français ont parlé de cette boisson dans leurs ouvrages.

During a faunistic survey on eriophyoid mites associated with weeds in Golestan province of Iran, four eriophyoid species were collected. A new species, Aculops hyperisaemumsp. nov., was found on Hypericum androsaemum L. (Hypericaceae) and herein described and illustrated. Paraphytoptus paradoxusNalepa, 1896, Aceria lamii (Liro, 1943) and Aceria verbenacaede Lillo et al., 2017, were found respectively on Artemisia absinthium L. (Asteraceae), Lamium album L. and Salvia nemorosa L. (Lamiaceae) and are reported for the first time in Iran. Aculops hyperisaemumsp. nov. and A. lamii were vagrant on the underside of the leaves of their host plants and no symptoms were detected. Aceria lamii is redescribed using modern microscopy and terminology. Paraphytoptus paradoxus was vagrant on the leaf underside and caused discoloration of the leaves; this is the first record of Paraphytoptus from Iran. Aceria verbenacae induced erinea on leaves, petioles, stems and flowers on a new host plant species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The study compared changes in essential oil content and its thujone ratio in two popular herbs (Artemisia absinthium L. and Salvia officinalis L.), pertaining to plant development and plant organs. Both species were harvested in 2018 at the vegetative, floral budding, flowering and after flowering phases; flowers and leaves were sampled separately. The essential content is always higher in the flowers than in the leaves at the same phenophase in both species we examined. Decreased essential oil content in both organs during the developmental phases was also common to both species. In S. officinalis, both leaf and flower oils showed quantitatively different compositional profiles. During plant development, the main component α-thujone decreased significantly in leaf oils, while both thujone isomers demonstrated statistically stable values in flower oils. In A. absinthium, leaf and flower oils exhibited similar thujone ratios. During plant development, neither of the thujone isomers changed significantly in leaf oils but the ratio of α-thujone increased in the flowers. It was established, that only the distribution and dynamics of total volatiles showed common features in the two species, while the variability of thujone ratios represents differences specific to each target species. For the praxis, in S. officinalis timing of harvest seems to be more important while in A. absinthium the ratio of organs may play a more significant role in reaching lower thujone levels of the drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most celebrated creative artists of all time. All his life, he was afflicted by some kind of neurological or psychiatric disorder, which remains a mystery even today. Many historians and his personal physicians believe that he suffered from epilepsy while others felt that he was affected by Ménière′s disease. Features such as hypergraphia, atypical sexuality, and viscosity of thinking suggest the possibility of Gastaut-Geschwind phenomenon, a known complication of complex partial seizure. On the contrary, some historians feel that he was forced to sever his right ear in order to get relief from troublesome tinnitus, a complication of Ménière′s disease. He was addicted to the liquor absinthe, which is known to lead to xanthopsia, and many authorities argue that this was the reason for his penchant for the deep and bright yellow color in many of his paintings. Others have suggested the possibility of bipolar disorder, sunstroke, acute intermittent porphyria, and digitalis toxicity as well.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes conditions such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is becoming more prevalent with the elderly being the fastest growing group. Parallel to this, there is an increasing interest in the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Nearly half of patients with IBD have used CAM at one time. The elderly patients, however, are burdened by comorbid conditions, polypharmacy, and altered functional status. With increasing use of complementary and alternative medicine in our elderly patients with IBD, it is vital for the provider to provide counsel on drug-herb potential interactions. CAM includes herbal products, diet, dietary supplements, acupuncture, and prayer. In this paper, we will review common CAM, specifically herbs, that are used in patients with IBD including the herb background, suggested use, evidence in IBD, and most importantly, potential interactions with IBD medications used in elderly patients. Most important evidence-based adverse events and drug-herb interactions are summarized. The herbs discussed include Triticum aestivum (wheat grass), Andrographis paniculata (chiretta), Boswellia serrata, tormentil, bilberry, curcumin (turmeric), Plantago ovata (blond psyllium), Oenothera biennis (evening primrose oil), germinated barley foodstuff, an herbal preparation of myrrh, chamomile and coffee extract, chios mastic gum, wormwood (absinthe, thujone), Cannabis sativa (marijuana, THC), tripterygium wilfordii (thunder god vine), Ulmus rubra (slippery elm bark), trigonella foenugraecum (fenugreek), Dioscorea mexicana (wild yam), Harpagophytum procumbens (devil's claw), ginger, cinnamon, licorice, and peppermint. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a new baseline correction method, named the Adaptation of The Experimental Background (ATEB), based on the subtraction of the blank sample signal (registered for solution without an analyte, for example a supporting electrolyte), was introduced. However, the method was something more than the simple subtraction of the blank sample signal. An innovation of the algorithm consisted in improving of the blank sample signal through application of the polynomials. Operation of the algorithm was demonstrated in determination of thujone in the synthetic and real samples. The synthetic samples were composed of two different mixtures of the quasi-absinthe herbal matrices spiked with 0.7-14 mg L−1 of thujone. The measurements were conducted with or without presence of Cu2+, which is an interfering agent originating from production of absinthe like alcoholic beverages. The real sample was Rodnik's absinthe, likewise spiked with thujone. Application of the ATEB method enabled calculation of the calibration lines with very good correlation (not lower than 0.997). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Gefaesschirurgie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Effects of thujone, a major ingredient of absinthe, wormwood oil and some herbal medicines, were tested on the function of α 7 subunit of the human nicotinic acetylcholine (α 7 nACh) receptor expressed in Xenopus oocytes using the two-electrode voltage-clamp technique. Thujone reversibly inhibited ACh (100 μM)-induced currents with an IC 50 value of 24.7 μM. The effect of thujone was not dependent on the membrane potential and did not involve Ca 2+ -dependent Cl − channels expressed endogenously in oocytes. Inhibition by thujone was not reversed by increasing ACh concentrations. Moreover, specific binding of [ 125 I] α-bungarotoxin was not altered by thujone. Further experiments in SH-EP1 cells expressing human α 7 nACh receptor indicated that thujone suppressed choline induced Ca 2+ transients in a concentration-dependent manner. In rat hippocampal CA3-dentate gyrus synapses, nicotine-induced enhancement of long-term potentiation was also inhibited by thujone. Furthermore, the results observed in in-vivo one-trial passive avoidance paradigm show that thujone (1.25 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly impaired nicotine-induced enhancement of learning and memory in Wistar rats. Collectively, our results indicate that thujone inhibits the function of the α7-nACh receptor and impairs cellular and behavioral correlates of cholinergic modulation of learning and memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored the cultural appropriation of wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), a plant of European origin, by the Mexican herbalists. This species was introduced by the Spaniards during the conquest of America. Based on the review of historical sources we propose that this appropriation was culturally catalyzed by the existence of the estafiate (iztauyatl or sagebrush: A. mexicana, syn A. ludoviciana) a medicinal plant of the same genus, native of Mesoamerica, and has properties epidemiological and organoleptic similar to woorwood (A. absinthium). Based on the analysis of recent ethnobotanical works we can trace the cultural appropriation of A. absinthium through both the preservation of their ancient uses, as well as the new uses in Mexico, enhancing their medicinal utility. This is an effect both a process of ethnobotanical appropriation and of cultural innovation, outside of established mechanisms of knowledge production. The problem of the cultural erosion of the ethnobotanical knowledge of the wormwood is also discussed, since it is considered a toxic species by the health authorities (Secretaría de Salud) of Mexico. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fabricated from the end of the 18th century, popularized after 1830 by French soldiers returning from Algeria, crowned the green fairy of the Parisian boulevards around 1860, the absinthe dominates the fin-de-siècle imagination as the principal means of transport “anywhere out of the world”. This article resumes the paradoxical mythology of this beverage that appears in French novels in the second half of the 19th century. Octave Féré, Jules Cauvain and the Goncourt brothers give a warning against its pernicious power, while Emile Zola’s attitude to the absinthe is more ambiguous. The magical potential of the green fairy seems to be tempting the father of naturalism who mixes science and mythology, the probable and the grotesque, the strict laws of heredity and the supernatural lightness of a blue flame coming from the “spontaneous combustion”.

The concentrations of α/β-thujone and the bitter components of Artemisia absinthium were quantified from alcoholic wormwood extracts during four phenological stages of their harvest period. A solid-phase micro-extraction method coupled to gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to determine the concentration of the two isomeric forms of thujone. In parallel, the combination of ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography and high resolution mass spectrometry allowed to quantify the compounds absinthin, artemisetin and dihydro- epi -deoxyarteannuin B. This present study aimed at helping absinthe producers to determine the best harvesting period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper demonstrates that differential pulse voltammetry with a controlled growth mercury drop electrode, supported by the unsupervised multivariate chemometric methods enables distinguishing of absinthes brands. Signals recorded for the unpretreated samples are repetitive for the same absinthe producer. Unprocessed complex voltammetric signals recorded by different accumulation time were an input data to PCA, HCA and k-means modeling. Homogeneous clusters were formed which reflected the natural order in the set of samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ostium is the property of Ostium and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Vincent Van Gogh is one of the most celebrated creative artists of all time. All his life, he was afflicted by some kind of neurological or psychiatric disorder, which remains a mystery even today. Many historians and his personal physicians believe that he suffered from epilepsy while others felt that he was affected by Ménière’s disease. Features such as hypergraphia, atypical sexuality, and viscosity of thinking suggest the possibility of Gastaut-Geschwind phenomenon, a known complication of complex partial seizure. On the contrary, some historians feel that he was forced to sever his right ear in order to get relief from troublesome tinnitus, a complication of Ménière’s disease. He was addicted to the liquor absinthe, which is known to lead to xanthopsia, and many authorities argue that this was the reason for his penchant for the deep and bright yellow color in many of his paintings. Others have suggested the possibility of bipolar disorder, sunstroke, acute intermittent porphyria, and digitalis toxicity as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Absinthe, a famous liquor of the 19th century, has become immensely popular with its return to legality and mass marketing and drug culture enhancement of its purported unique effects. The electronic world of the Internet has greatly expedited the extent and depth of societal knowledge about the allure of the green fairy, absinthe. An extensive number of websites exists, representing 22 categories of topics about or using the word absinthe. Recent research has dispelled many myths about absinthe and its effects, yet beliefs about its magical powers persist, thus maintaining its reputation as an extraordinary experience within a bohemian lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical composition of essential oil (EO) (0.57 - 0.80% yield) from a hepatoprotective herbal mix was analyzed by GC/MS. The major constituents of the EO were 4-epiacorenone (15.04%), dihydroisocalamendiol (11.55%), shyobunone (7.75%), thymol (6.91%), isoshyobunone (3.87%), Z-azarone (3.55%), a-selinene (3.19%), isocalamendiol (2.09%), camphor (1.23%), a-calacorene (1.23%), acoranone isomers 1 (3.07%) and 2 (1.61%), 1,8-cineol (1.61%), spathulenol (1.73%), caryophyllene oxide (1.65%), and caryophyllene (1.01%), which accounted for 67.09% of the oil composition. It was established that thyme, tansy, and absinthe contributed most significantly to the total antioxidant activity of the herbal mix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction The Illness of Vincent van Gogh interactive website offers a set of structured scientific analyses to assist the participant in arriving at a keen understanding of acute intermittent porphyria, a congenital disease diagnosed in van Gogh. Methods Unit 1 summarizes the features of the time-course of van Gogh's major medical crises. Concepts such as “organized skepticism” and “working hypothesis” are defined and developed. Prompts and questions encourage the individual participant to self-dismiss irrational options and to disregard the appeals to authority that are so popular among many psychologists and art historians. Unit 2 explains the biochemistry of heme synthesis and describes the hallmarks of acute intermittent porphyria, which is the only working hypothesis to accommodate all of van Gogh's signs and symptoms. Results This self-study exercise was taken by all (N = 255) first year students at Wayne State University School of Medicine in 2005. Their answers to the three questions on the final exam indicated assimilation of the material, and the high scores indicated achievement of objectives. Discussion These results suggest that the biography of a well-known artist can facilitate the understanding of biochemical phenomena.

Abstract: The trace proteome of a Braulio aperitif (a 21% alcohol beverage, named after a mountain in the Val di Stelvio, Italy) has been investigated via capture with combinatorial peptide ligand libraries (CPLL, ProteoMiner). This aperitif is made with an infusion of 13 mountain herbs and berries, among which four are officially indicated in the label: Achillea moschata, juniper (Juniperus communis subsp. alpina) berries, absinthe (Artemisia absinthium) and gentian (Gentiana alpina) roots. Via capture with CPLLs at pH 7.0 and 2.2 we were able to identify 29 unique gene products, among which the PR5 (parasite resistance) allergen Jun r 3.2, a 25kDa species from Juniperus rigida. Due to the paucity of data on these alpine herbs, it was difficult to attribute these proteins to the specific plant extracts presumably present in this beverage; however most of the species identified indeed belong to alpine herbs and plants, living in a habitat between 1000 and 2000m of elevation. Most of them are enzymes, spanning a Mr range from 10 to 65kDa. It is hoped that such a proteomic signature should help tracking counterfeited products sold on the market. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

¹H NMR spectroscopy is utilized to quantify total thujone (sum of α- and β-isomers) in absinthe. For sample preparation, a simple dilution with buffer is required. Thujone produces a distinct peak of the CH2 group in the cyclopentanone moiety in the 2.13-2.11 ppm range. No overlap with other typical constituents such as anethole or fenchone occurs. The detection limit of 0.3mg/L is adequate to control the EU maximumlimit. The relative standard deviation was 6%, and linearity was observed from 1 to 100 mg/L. Applicability was proven by analysis of 69 authentic absinthes. The correlation between NMR and our previous method consisting of liquid-liquid extraction followed by GC/MS was significant (P < 0.0001,R = 0.93). The simple and cheap NMR method can be used for rapid screening of absinthes for total thujone content while chromatographic techniques are recommended for more specific (α- and β-thujone isomers) analysis if required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The medical use of the wormwood plant Artemisia absinthium L. dates back to at least Roman times, while during the last century this tradition was seemingly on the decline due to fears of absinthism, a syndrome allegedly caused by the wormwood-flavoured spirit absinthe and more specifically as a result of thujone, a monoterpene ketone often present in the essential oil of wormwood. If threshold concentrations are exceeded, thujone does in fact exhibit neurotoxic properties leading to dose-dependent tonic-clonic seizures in animals, likely caused by GABA type A receptor modulation. Research has shown that the concentrations of thujone present in absinthe were not sufficient to exceed these thresholds, and the marketing of wormwood-flavoured alcoholic beverages has ultimately been reinstated. The declining fears of absinthism may have led to a revival of the medical uses of wormwood, evidenced by several experimental reports, e.g. on the treatment of Crohn''s disease. Most recently in this journal, neuroprotective properties of wormwood were detected in rats, and the plant was suggested to be possibly beneficial in the treatment of strokes. While these results sound promising and worthwhile for further investigation, the well-defined profile of adverse properties of wormwood demands a more cautious interpretation of these results. It remained unclear in the studies, for example, if the threshold dose for thujone (e.g. as set by the European Medicines Agency) would be exceeded during therapeutic usage. Due to the colourful history of wormwood, its application in humans should be preceded by a thorough and careful risk-benefit analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In spite of its history and illegality, the use of absinthe, the aperitif made famous in fin de siècle Parisian cafés, is on the rise again in the United States and abroad. Writers and artists like Baudelaire, Verlaine,Wilde, van Gogh, Hemingway, Degas, Picasso and Gauguin all prominently featured absinthe in their writing and art, often attributing their creativity, as well as emotional instability, to the effects of Ia fée verte, or the green fairy. Consequently, absinthe has earned a reputation as a mysterious and dangerous substance capable of inducing all manner of psychosis, violence and passion. Yet contemporary science shows that the absinthe myth cannot be accounted for by the pharmacological reality. This article describes the history of absinthe and recent scientific developments, and uses a psychoanalytic framework to explain why the absinthe myth endures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]