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The study investigated the effects of five plant extracts on tomato seed germination, with a focus on their ability to neutralize bacterial and fungal seedborne pathogens. Pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms were isolated and identified from the tomato seeds. To assess the effect of the plant extracts on the health of the seedlings and the level of contamination, ten sterile seeds were soaked in each plant extract for ten and fifteen minutes, respectively, and then placed onto 9 cm diameter sterile Petri dishes covered with filter paper. The germination of tomato seeds treated with aqueous extracts of Rumex tuberosus and Artemisia dracunculus at concentrations of 10% and 15% for 15 min each was compared in a five-replication pot experiment. Significant increases in plant height and root length were observed at 15% concentration of both extracts compared to the control, indicating antimicrobial activity against seedborne pathogens. Major compounds in the extracts were identified by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, including Estra‑1,3,5,7,9,15-hexaen-17-one, 3‑methoxy and palmitic acid. According to these results, extracts from A. dracunculus and R. tuberosus may have antimicrobial qualities that improve plant growth overall, vigor index, and seed germination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Drug addiction is one of the most important global problems. Medicinal herbs have been traditionally used in the management and treatment of opioid withdrawal syndrome and pain. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of A. dracunculus essential oil in reducing the symptoms of morphine withdrawal in mice. Male mice (25-30 g) were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n=10). Morphine-dependent groups received morphine (50 and 75 mg/kg ip; three times/day, 3 days) and a single injection of morphine (50 mg/kg) and then naloxone on the fourth day via IP injection. The control group received saline. The post-treated group received morphine for 3 days; on the fourth day, ten minutes before receiving naloxone, A. dracunculus essential oil with a dose of 75 mg/kg was injected. All groups received naloxone 2 hours after receiving the last dose of morphine; then, the morphine withdrawal symptoms were measured for 30 minutes. In the post-treated and co-treated groups, the body stretching and shaking the claw were significantly less than morphine-dependent groups (p

The Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug-Yugra, situated within Russia's Far North, has undergone substantial industrialization and economic development. However, it is confronted with considerable environmental challenges, notably soil contamination. This study examines the presence of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, copper and zinc) in medicinal and berry plants from the forest ecosystem of this region. The following plant species were analyzed: Hypericum perforatum, Rubus arcticus, Origanum vulgare and Thymus vulgaris. The samples were taken from both open ground and hydroponic cultivation under artificial lighting. The findings indicate that the levels of lead present in all samples remain below the permissible limit of 10 mg/kg. Cadmium levels exhibited variability, with hydroponically grown plants containing 0.01 to 0.5 mg/kg and open ground Hypericum and Rubus perforatum containing up to 0.8 mg/kg. The combination of hydroponic cultivation and specific lighting conditions has been demonstrated to reduce lead and cadmium accumulation by a minimum of 1.6 times in comparison to open ground cultivation. The copper content of the samples ranged from 3 to 8 mg/kg, while the zinc content was 1.2–1.5 times higher in the plants grown in the open compared to those grown hydroponically. Notwithstanding these variations, the heavy metal content of all plant samples remains below the threshold values, thus rendering them safe for harvesting and utilization. This research serves to illustrate the environmental impact of industrial activities and to identify hydroponics as a potential strategy for their mitigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities mechanism of Artemisia dracunculus (A. dracunculus) and Artemisia abrotanum (A. abrotanum) ethanol extracts in acute rat inflammation induced in Wistar male rats with turpentine oil. The characterization of the polyphenolic compounds in the extracts was conducted using UV–Vis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry techniques. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated in vitro by DPPH, FRAP, H2O2, and NO scavenging tests and in vivo by measuring the total oxidative status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidative stress index (OSI), 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-Oxo-dG), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), 3-nitrotyrosine (3NT), and total thiols (SH). Inflammation was evaluated by measuring nuclear factor-kB-p65 (NfkB-p65) and NLRP3 inflammasome activation with IL-1β, IL-18, and gasdermin D. Liver and renal toxicity was determined following transaminases (ALT and AST), creatinine, and urea. The experimental results indicated that A. dracunculus and A. abrotanum ethanol extracts have moderate in vitro antioxidant activity and had in vivo antioxidant activity and an anti-inflammatory effect by NfkB-p65, IL-1b, IL-18, and gasdermin D serum level reduction. The antioxidant activity correlated with the chemical composition of the extracts. These results bring evidence-based use of A. dracunculus and A. abrotanum's in traditional and contemporary medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Artemisia dracunculus (tarragon) essential oil has shown antinociceptive effect in some animal models. This study was aimed to find out its possible mechanism of action in formalin-induced pain behavior in mice. Methods: Essential oil of the plant was prepared by hydro-distillation method. Male Swiss mice (25–30 g) and formalin test were used in the pain model. First, the antinociceptive activity of three doses of A. dracunculus essential oil (50, 100 and 200 µL/kg) were examined and then the dose of 100 µL/kg was selected for mechanistic experiments. Different groups of mice (n=6) were pretreated with naloxone, prazocin, yohimbine, propranolol, ondansetron, cyproheptadine, sulpiride and haloperidol to evaluate contribution of opioid, adrenergic, serotoninergic and dopaminergic receptors in the essential oil effect. Besides arginine, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), methylene blue, tadalafil and glibenclamide were used to find out the possible involvement of nitric oxide pathway for the essential oil effect. Results: Artemisia dracunculus essential oil significantly (p

Artemisia dracunculus: L. (A. dracunculus) is a popular vegetable and spice cultivated across many Middle Eastern countries. The herb’s aqueous extract has significant folkloric medicinal importance for treating various disorders. Hence, the present investigation aimed to investigate A. dracunculus hydrophilic extract phytochemical constituents and pleiotropic biological potentials, as no previous studies have investigated the antilipase and anti-αamylase effects of the A. dracunculus plant. Total phenol content and phytochemical screening assays were performed utilizing standard analytical methods. While the α-amylase inhibition, free radical-scavenging, antilipase, and cytotoxic activities were determined using dinitrosalicylic acid (DNSA), DPPH, p-nitrophenyl butyrate (PNPB), and MTS assays, respectively. The standard phytochemical analysis of A. dracunculus aqueous extract shows that this extract contains only a phenolic group. The total phenol content was 0.146 ± 0.012 mg GAE/g of the plant dry extract. The A. dracunculus aqueous extract exhibited potent DPPH free radical inhibitory (IC50 dose of 10.71 ± 0.01 μg/mL) and anti-lipase activities (IC50 dose of 60.25 ± 0.33 μg/mL) compared with Trolox (IC50 = 5.7 ± 0.92 μg/mL) and Orlistat (IC50 = 12.3 ± 0.35 μg/mL), respectively. However, it showed a weak anti-α-amylase effect (IC50 value > 1,000 μg/mL) compared with Acarbose (IC50 = 28.18 ± 1.27 μg/mL). A. dracunculus has a cytotoxic effect against the HeLa cancer cell line compared with the chemotherapeutic agent Doxorubicin. The extract has the same percent of inhibition as Doxorubicin (99.9%) at 10 mg/mL. Overall, these results pointed out for the first time the importance of considering A. dracunculus effects as a favorite candidate for preventing and treating metabolic disorders. Also, our results confirm the findings of previous reports on the role of A. dracunculus in the management of cancer and disorders resulting from the accumulation of harmful free radicals. On the contrary, the current study concluded that the antidiabetic role of A. dracunculus could be minimal. Further in-depth investigations are urgently warranted to explore the importance of A. dracunculus in pharmaceutical production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities mechanism of Artemisia dracunculus (A. dracunculus) and Artemisia abrotanum (A. abrotanum) ethanol extracts in acute rat inflammation induced in Wistar male rats with turpentine oil. The characterization of the polyphenolic compounds in the extracts was conducted using UV–Vis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry techniques. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was evaluated in vitro by DPPH, FRAP, H2O2, and NO scavenging tests and in vivo by measuring the total oxidative status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidative stress index (OSI), 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (8-Oxo-dG), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), 3-nitrotyrosine (3NT), and total thiols (SH). Inflammation was evaluated by measuring nuclear factor-kB-p65 (NfkB-p65) and NLRP3 inflammasome activation with IL-1β, IL-18, and gasdermin D. Liver and renal toxicity was determined following transaminases (ALT and AST), creatinine, and urea. The experimental results indicated that A. dracunculus and A. abrotanum ethanol extracts have moderate in vitro antioxidant activity and had in vivo antioxidant activity and an anti-inflammatory effect by NfkB-p65, IL-1b, IL-18, and gasdermin D serum level reduction. The antioxidant activity correlated with the chemical composition of the extracts. These results bring evidence-based use of A. dracunculus and A. abrotanum’s in traditional and contemporary medicine.

Artemisia dracunculus: L. (A. dracunculus) is a popular vegetable and spice cultivated across many Middle Eastern countries. The herb’s aqueous extract has significant folkloric medicinal importance for treating various disorders. Hence, the present investigation aimed to investigate A. dracunculus hydrophilic extract phytochemical constituents and pleiotropic biological potentials, as no previous studies have investigated the antilipase and anti-α-amylase effects of the A. dracunculus plant. Total phenol content and phytochemical screening assays were performed utilizing standard analytical methods. While the α-amylase inhibition, free radical-scavenging, antilipase, and cytotoxic activities were determined using dinitrosalicylic acid (DNSA), DPPH, p-nitrophenyl butyrate (PNPB), and MTS assays, respectively. The standard phytochemical analysis of A. dracunculus aqueous extract shows that this extract contains only a phenolic group. The total phenol content was 0.146 ± 0.012 mg GAE/g of the plant dry extract. The A. dracunculus aqueous extract exhibited potent DPPH free radical inhibitory (IC50 dose of 10.71 ± 0.01 μg/mL) and anti-lipase activities (IC50 dose of 60.25 ± 0.33 μg/mL) compared with Trolox (IC50 = 5.7 ± 0.92 μg/mL) and Orlistat (IC50 = 12.3 ± 0.35 μg/mL), respectively. However, it showed a weak anti-α-amylase effect (IC50 value > 1,000 μg/mL) compared with Acarbose (IC50 = 28.18 ± 1.27 μg/mL). A. dracunculus has a cytotoxic effect against the HeLa cancer cell line compared with the chemotherapeutic agent Doxorubicin. The extract has the same percent of inhibition as Doxorubicin (99.9%) at 10 mg/mL. Overall, these results pointed out for the first time the importance of considering A. dracunculus effects as a favorite candidate for preventing and treating metabolic disorders. Also, our results confirm the findings of previous reports on the role of A. dracunculus in the management of cancer and disorders resulting from the accumulation of harmful free radicals. On the contrary, the current study concluded that the antidiabetic role of A. dracunculus could be minimal. Further in-depth investigations are urgently warranted to explore the importance of A. dracunculus in pharmaceutical production.

Antifeedant and contact repellent activity of thyme, tarragon, marigold and lavender crude extracts against the insect pest Epicauta atomaria Germar, 1821 (Coleoptera: Meloidae) was evaluated. The extracts were obtained by sequential maceration with dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and methanol. The antifeedant and contact repellent activity was evaluated by means of the feeding index and repellency percentage respectively. The results obtained indicate that the tarragon dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol extracts, lavender methanol extract and marigold and thyme ethyl acetate extracts, had a strong antifeedant activity against E. atomaria, both with median AI values of 100 %. On the other hand, only the lavender dichloromethane extract had a moderate repellent activity against E. atomaria, at all the exposure times evaluated, with median repellency percentage values of 60 %, 80 % and 50 % at 15, 30 and 60 minutes of exposure, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since skeletal muscle atrophy resulting from various causes accelerates the progression of several diseases, its prevention should help maintain health and quality of life. A range of natural materials have been investigated for their potential preventive effects against muscle atrophy. Here, ethanol extracts of Angelica gigas and Artemisia dracunculus were concentrated and dried, and mixed at a ratio of 7:3 to create the mixture CHDT. We then evaluated the potential for CHDT to prevent muscle atrophy and explored the mechanisms involved. CHDT was orally administered to C57BL/6 mice daily for 30 days, and dexamethasone (Dex) was intraperitoneally injected daily to induce muscle atrophy from 14 days after the start of oral administration. We found that CHDT prevented the Dex-induced reductions in muscle strength, mass, and fiber size, likely by upregulating the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. In addition, CHDT reduced the Dex-induced increase in the serum concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which directly induce the degradation of muscle proteins. These findings suggest that CHDT could serve as a natural food supplement for the prevention of muscle atrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artemisia species play a vital role in traditional and contemporary medicine. Among them, Artemisia abrotanum, Artemisia absinthium, Artemisia annua, Artemisia dracunculus, and Artemisia vulgaris are the most popular. The chemical composition and bioactivity of these species have been extensively studied. Studies on these species have confirmed their traditional applications and documented new pharmacological directions and their valuable and potential applications in cosmetology. Artemisia ssp. primarily contain sesquiterpenoid lactones, coumarins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Essential oils obtained from these species are of great biological importance. Extracts from Artemisia ssp. have been scientifically proven to exhibit, among others, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, antidepressant, cytotoxic, and digestion-stimulating activities. In addition, their application in cosmetic products is currently the subject of several studies. Essential oils or extracts from different parts of Artemisia ssp. have been characterized by antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities. Products with Artemisia extracts, essential oils, or individual compounds can be used on skin, hair, and nails. Artemisia products are also used as ingredients in skincare cosmetics, such as creams, shampoos, essences, serums, masks, lotions, and tonics. This review focuses especially on elucidating the importance of the most popular/important species of the Artemisia genus in the cosmetic industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common form of leishmaniasis that is distributed in around 100 countries. Preparing essential oil-based nanoformulations with the leishmanicidal effect is a promising strategy for the development of new drugs. In this study, the leishmanicidal effects of three essential oils of Artemisia dracunculus, Zataria multiflora, and Zingiber officinale against promastigotes of Leishmania tropica and Leishmania major were first investigated. The essential oil of A. dracunculus showed the most potent activity. After that, by adding carbomer 940, 1.5% w/v, to the prepared nanoemulsion with particle size of 7.86 ± 4 nm and particle size distribution (SPAN) of 0.96 ± 0.1, nanogel of ADEO was prepared. The leishmanicidal effect of the nanogel was significantly better than the non-formulated A. dracunculus essential oil. Interestingly, the promastigotes' viabilities at a 160 µg/mL concentration were decreased to ~ 0%. The prepared green nanoformulation could be used as supplementary drugs in cutaneous leishmaniasis.

The worldwide industry of seaweeds utilizes 7.5 to 8.0 million tons of wet seaweeds annually that are cultivated in farms, and urgent needs are growing to minimize the overexploitation of the natural populations. In vitro plant tissue culture could be one of the fashionable possible techniques. The main advantage of tissue culture is not only to overcome the excessive use of seaweeds but also to select germplasm with popular traits. Here, we present a novel explants surface sterilization method for endangered species Sargassum fusiforme using Artemisia dracunculus extract as an initial step in the tissue culture technique. Besides, a novel occurrence of identified compounds in the crude extract of A. dracunculus through UPLC-QTOF MS analysis. A crude extract of A. dracunculus herbal plant was tested for sterilizing S. fusiforme explants (leaf, stipe, and stolon) in vitro against 70% ethanol and other chemical sterilants such as povidone-iodine (PI), germanium oxide (GeO2), and antibiotics (Kanamycin, Nystatin, and Streptomycin). The crude extract of A. dracunculus showed a high microbial sterilization effect with leaves (90%) and stipes (80%) compared to stolons which gave only (20%). This study presents a novel investigation of in vitro sterilization properties of A. dracunculus as a natural and medicinal plant against contaminating microbes. We conclude the great advantage of sterilization using Artemisia extract which might probably be the most suitable protocol for sterilization compared to chemical sterilants as they have detrimental effects due to their toxicity to plant tissues. Key message: A new surface sterilization protocol is described in order to minimize tissue culture contamination of seaweed Sargassum fusiforme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer death among women; thus, developing new drugs is crucial. Essential oils (EO)s with a wide range of bioactivities, such as anticancer effects, have provided a valuable source for this purpose. In this study, components of two medicinally important EOs were identified using GC-MS analysis. Moreover, antioxidant effects, as well as anti-cancer properties, were evaluated.The EOs formulated into nanoemulsion using the spontaneous emulsification approach, separately. Comprehensive stability tests were performed to select the optimum nanoemulsions of each EO. Anticancer effect of the most stable nanoemulsion of Zataria multiflora with a particle size of 43 ± 4 nm (PDI 0.4 ± 0.2 and SPAN 0.6 ± 0.1) was significantly better non-formulated form against four human breast cancer cell lines, MCF-7, MDA-MB-175, MDA-MB-231, and MDA-MB-468. Interestingly, the anticancer effect of Artemisia dracunculus nanoemulsion (16 ± 4 nm, 0.2 ± 0.1, and 0.4 ± 0.1) was also significantly improved in compassion to the essential oil. Considering the results, prepared nanoemulsions could be used as supplementary drugs or food additives.

A successful randomized clinical trial of the effect of dietary supplements on a chosen endpoint begins with developing supporting data in preclinical studies while paying attention to easily overlooked details when planning the related clinical trial. In this perspective, we draw on our experience studying the effect of an ethanolic extract from Artemisia dracunculus L. (termed PMI-5011) on glucose homeostasis as a potential therapeutic option in providing resilience to metabolic syndrome (MetS). Decisions on experimental design related to issues ranging from choice of mouse model to dosing levels and route of administration in the preclinical studies will be discussed in terms of translation to the eventual human studies. The more complex considerations in planning the clinical studies present different challenges as these studies progress from testing the safety of the dietary supplement to assessing the effect of the dietary supplement on a predetermined clinical outcome. From the vantage point of hindsight, we will outline potential pitfalls when translating preclinical studies to clinical studies and point out details to address when designing clinical studies of dietary supplements.

Skin injuries, and especially wounds of chronic nature, can cause a major negative impact on the quality of life. New efficient alternatives are needed for wound healing therapy and herbal products are being investigated due to a high content of natural compounds with promising healing activity. For this purpose, we investigated three Artemisia species, Artemisia absinthium L. (AAb), Artemisia dracunculus L. (ADr) and Artemisia annua L. (AAn). Ethanolic extracts, containing different polyphenolic compounds, elicited strong antioxidant activities in the DPPH assay, comparable to ascorbic acid. Human ketratinocyte proliferation was stimulated and wound closure was enhanced by all three extracts at concentrations of 100 µg/mL. The Artemisia extracts modulated angiogenesis by increasing vessel formation, especially following treatment with A. annua and A. dracunculus, extracts with a significantly higher content of chlorogenic acid. Good tolerability and anti-irritative effects were also registered in ovo, on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). The three Artemisia species represent promising low-cost, polyphenol-rich, antioxidant, safe alternatives for wound care treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coagulation activity of platelets plays an important role in thrombosis formation, Atherosclerotic plaque establishment and cardiovascular disorders. ASA are using as an anti platelet activity drug for patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Using of plant extraction as a complementary medicine for these patients (CAD) is mostly recommended by traditional medicine specialist. Objective: In this study we investigated platelet activity after treatment with extract of Artemisia dracunculus (Tarragon) and it’s synergic with ASA treatment. Methods: After preparation of platelets from healthy volunteers, platelets confronted with desired concentrations (125-1000 µg/ml) of methanol extract of Artemisia dracunculus (tarragon) and (0.31-1.26 µg/ml) of (ASA) alone and in combination. The platelet function such as adhesion, aggregation and protein release were assayed on treated platelets and controls. Results: Our results demonstrated that Tarragon extract significantly effective on adhesion, aggregation and protein release in comparison with healthy volunteers platelets (P≤0.001). The Tarragon extract also raised the anti-platelet activity of ASA on these platelets. Conclusion: Tarragon extract, either as single agent or combination with ASA, has been able to induce anti-platelet activity. Therefore, it would be suggested to use of the tarragon extract with or without common treatments, i.e. ASA, in treatments of cardiovascular disorders and patients with deep vein thrombosis.

The study evaluates the effect of Artemisia dracunculus essential oil (EO) on two pathogenic bacteria Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus and Vero cell line. To evaluating the anti-biofilm potential of the EO, a microtiter-plate test (MtP) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed. The quorum-sensing inhibitory properties were examined by QS-related gene expression at sub-MIC concentrations of Artemisia dracunculus EO. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, a tetrazole) test was used to determine the cytotoxicity potential of the EO against the Vero cell line and finally, the major components of the EOs were determined using Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the tested EO against S. Typhimurium and S. aureus were 2.5 and 1.25 μl/ml, respectively. In addition, the minimum bactericidal concentration was 5 and 2.5 μl/ml for S. Typhimurium and S. aureus, respectively. Both MtP and SEM showed an acceptable inhibitory and disruption effect of the EO on the biofilm formation at Sub-MIC concentrations. Significant downregulation of luxS, pfs, and hld genes by treatment with MIC/2 concentration of A. dracunculus EO was observed. The IC50 value of A. dracunculus EO against Vero cells was 20 μl/ml. The main detected compound using GC–MS was estragole (methyl chavicol or tarragon) (64.94%). Anti-biofilm, QSI activity, and non-toxicity of A. dracunculus EO reported for the first time in this study propose the use of these plant compounds as alternatives to antibiotics and chemical additives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research was conducted to examine the effect of Artemisia dracunculus (AD) extract on growth performance, haemato‐immunological, biochemical parameters, and mucosal immunity in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The fish were fed with a diet supplemented with 0 (control), 1%, 2% and 3% AD for 8 weeks. The findings indicated that in all groups fed AD, especially at the 2% level, the growth parameters and survival rate significantly increased compared with the control group. Blood biochemical parameters, creatinine, glucose, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and triglyceride were decreased significantly in AD‐treated groups. Total serum protein (TSP) levels, lysozyme (LYZ) and respiratory burst activities (RBA) were increased in the fish fed with AD. TSP levels, ALP and protease (PA) activities in the mucus were significantly increased following fish fed with AD. Increased in the total immunoglobulins (Ig) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were observed in the fish fed with 3% AD. Fish fed with 2% AD showed the highest levels of alternative complement (ACH50) significantly. In addition, the mucus bactericidal activity was significantly increased in some treatments fed AD diet against Lactococcus garvieae and Aeromonas hydrophila. After infection with Yersinia ruckeri, there was a reduction in the mortality rate in the AD‐fed groups compared with the control group. Thus, it can be concluded that diets supplemented with AD can significantly impact diverse physiological parameters in fish, improving their growth performance, blood biochemical parameters and immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigation of dietary biologically active phytochemicals is of interest due to the availability, low cost, and low rate of side effects of these substances. The main objective of this work was to investigate the influence of the essential oil (EO) extracted from the aerial parts of Artemisia dracunculus on the antioxidant capacity of cells as this plant is one of the most available and widely used as spice and in folk medicine. For this, BV-2 microglial wild type (WT) and acyl-CoA oxidase type 1 (ACOX1) deficient cells (Acox1-/-) were used. Acox1-/- cells were applied as the model of cellular oxidative damage. The main component of EO of A. dracunculus was estragole, which was reaching 84.9% in plants cultivated at high altitude Armenian landscape. IC50 value of EO in 1,1-diphenyl- 2- picrylhydrazyl assay was 94.2 μg/ml. Sub-cytotoxic concentration in the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol- 2- yl)- 2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide test for both BV-2 WT and Acox1-/- cell lines was 5.10-1 μg/ml. Seventy-two- hours treatment with EO leads to the increased viability (up to 12% in WT and up to 14% -in BV-2 Acox1-/-cells). The 48-hr treatment increased the ACOX1 activity up to 70% in WT cells. Catalase and superoxide dismutase activities of both cell lines increased following the 24-48- hr treatment. These results indicate that A. dracunculus EO can be considered as a potential protective agent useful in preventive medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artemisia dracunculus L. (tarragon) is a rich source of herbal remedies with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, the proliferation of bone marrow and spleen cells of mice was evaluated after extraction of Artemisia dracunculus with 80% of ethanol. Two doses of the extract (500mg/kg body weight and 1000mg/kg body weight) were given to the mice for seven successive days. On day eight, mice were sacrificed and cells from bone marrow and spleen were collected; mitotic index was calculated and results were compared with that of methotrexate at a dose 20mg/kg body weight ( positive control ) and distilled water ( negative control). The results showed that the dose 500mg/kg body weight of Artemisia dracunculus extract caused significant increase in mitotic index in both bone marrow and spleen cells of mice when compared with negative control. While, the dose 1000mg/kg body weight of Artemisia dracunculus extract caused significant decrease in mitotic index in both bone marrow and spleen cells of mice when compared with negative control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Historically, herbs and plants have been used for their therapeutic properties in the form of flavors and preservatives. Recently, the application of medicinal herbs has increased considering their numerous benefits and minimum side-effects. Treatment of bacterial infections is currently a major challenge in the healthcare systems across the world. The present study aimed to assess the bacterial effects of Zingiber officinale, Aloysia citrodora and Artemisia dracunculus essential oils on the survival of standard Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. Methods: In the present experimental study, we evaluated the effects of Tarragon (A. dracunculus), Ginger (Z. officinale) and Lemon Beebrush (A. citrodora) essential oils on 6 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella spp, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Proteus spp and Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The well-diffusion method was applied to assess the antibacterial properties of the essential oils. Moreover, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests were used to determine the bacterial and inhibitory concentrations of the extracts. Results: MIC and MBC results demonstrated that the ginger extract (0.125 mg/mL) had the most significant impact on Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Furthermore, tarragon extract (0.03125 mg/mL) had the most significant effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus spp, and Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The antibacterial effects of these essential oils were not observed on other bacteria. Conclusion: Medicinal plants have long been used for their therapeutic properties. According to the results, ginger and tarragon extracts are effective combinations for the treatment of the infections caused by Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.

Competition from weeds limits tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) production. Field experiments were conducted for two consecutive seasons to evaluate methods of control on weed populations and growth, yield, and oil quality of tarragon. Pendimethalin, metribuzin, and oxyfluorfen, alone, or in combination with rye mulch, were examined for weed control and effects on yield and oil quality. The greatest yield, and essential oil content, were from the weed-free treatment. Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin, which is not yet cleared for use in tarragon, at 0.5 and 1.0 kg∙ha−1 ai, in combination with 1 hand-weeding, or rye mulch, provided higher yields than no weeding. Rye mulch alone, or weeding twice manually, was not as effective. The lowest content of the essential oil methyl chavicol was in plants grown with no weeding, the highest was for the weed-free treatment. Integrating reduced herbicide with hand weeding, or mulch, may lower herbicide use to provide adequate weed control and produce acceptable yield and essential oil content. It needs to be clarified whether there is a residue above acceptable limits in tarragon tissue which could pose a health hazard to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder that influences body weight and several aspects of energy metabolism. Today, herbal medicine is focused on the treatment of diseases, especially endocrine disorders. Artemisia dracunculus (Tarragon) is a member of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of Artemisia dracunculus aqueous extract on serum thyroid hormones, lipid profile, leptin, adiponectin, and antioxidant factors in adult male rats with propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced hypothyroidism. Forty-eight mature male Albino Wistar rats were housed in standard cages. Hypothyroidism was induced in the rats by the administration of PTU in drinking water to a final concentration of 500 mg/L. This study lasted for 90 days. The animals were divided into six experimental groups (eight rats per each group): (1) normal control; (2) hypothyroid rats + levothyroxine, as positive control (4 μg/100 g/day); (3) hypothyroid rats, as negative control; (4) hypothyroid rats + tarragon aqueous extract (100 mg/kg); (5) hypothyroid rats + tarragon aqueous extract (200 mg/kg); and (6) hypothyroid rats + tarragon aqueous extract (300 mg/kg). Blood samples were obtained using cardiac puncture. In blood samples, thyroid hormones (triiodothyronine (T3), free triiodothyronine (fT3), thyroxine (T4), and free thyroxine (fT4)), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), leptin, adiponectin, antioxidant elements (malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione (GSH)), and lipid profile (triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)) were measured. The serum level of thyroid hormones (T3, fT3, T4, and fT4) decreased in the negative control group compared to the normal control group, but the tarragon extract improved their levels. The levels of fT3 and fT4 were higher in 300 mg/kg tarragon treatment (P < 0.05). In addition, tarragon extracts decreased the elevated TSH level in the negative control rats. Tarragon extract at dose 100 mg/kg reduced the TSH level considerably (P < 0.05). Leptin level was not influenced in any of the experimental groups while adiponectin serum concentration decreased in the negative control group. Tarragon extract could not increase the adiponectin level in the treatment groups (P > 0.05). The tarragon extract increased the TAC level at dose 200 mg/kg and the GSH level in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The MDA level decreased in the negative control rats, and high dose of tarragon treatment decreased the MDA level compare to the normal control group. The tarragon extract increased the lipid profile. In conclusion, the tarragon aqueous extract could improve thyroid hormones profile in hypothyroidism. Thus, it could be used as co-treatment for hypothyroidism, but further studies are needed to confirm these data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tarragon has a great potential to be a healthy functional food ingredient thanks to its rich antioxidant, phenolic compounds, and nutrient content. The possibility of enriching bread with tarragon was investigated. For this aim, tarragon powder was used at the rates of 0, 2, 4 and 6% instead of wheat flour. In this study, the effects of substitution on the rheological properties of bread dough and color, total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, texture, sensory, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis of bread samples were performed. The composition of tarragon powder showed significant protein (23.16%), crude fiber (7.4%), antioxidant (48.22 ± 0.11%), and total phenolic content (511.66 ± 1.56 mg GAE/100 g). Bread samples with increased fiber and protein content were obtained by adding tarragon powder to the bread formulation. The major differences in the FT-IR absorbance spectra for the bread samples were not observed. Additionally, tarragon powder significantly increased the antioxidative properties of breads (p < 0.05). Adding up to 4% tarragon powder to the bread formulation increased the sensory scores of the breads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin injuries, and especially wounds of chronic nature, can cause a major negative impact on the quality of life. New efficient alternatives are needed for wound healing therapy and herbal products are being investigated due to a high content of natural compounds with promising healing activity. For this purpose, we investigated three Artemisia species, Artemisia absinthium L. (AAb), Artemisia dracunculus L. (ADr) and Artemisia annua L. (AAn). Ethanolic extracts, containing different polyphenolic compounds, elicited strong antioxidant activities in the DPPH assay, comparable to ascorbic acid. Human ketratinocyte proliferation was stimulated and wound closure was enhanced by all three extracts at concentrations of 100 µg/mL. The Artemisia extracts modulated angiogenesis by increasing vessel formation, especially following treatment with A. annua and A. dracunculus, extracts with a significantly higher content of chlorogenic acid. Good tolerability and anti-irritative effects were also registered in ovo, on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). The three Artemisia species represent promising low-cost, polyphenol-rich, antioxidant, safe alternatives for wound care treatment.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the autoimmune diseases that affects the central nervous system (CNS) and causes myelin loss and axonal damage. Recent studies have shown the important role of autoreactive T cells in the pathogenesis of MS. One of the plants in the Astersa family, which has therapeutic benefits is Artemisia dracunculus L. or Tarragon. In this study, the role of aqueous extract of Tarragon in suppressing Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation and ameliorating experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was investigated. EAE was induced in C57BL/6 female mice by Hook kit MOG35-55/CFA Emulsion PTX and one group was treated with Tarragon at a dose of 500 mg/kg. Mice were euthanized on day 33 post-immunization, spleens were removed for assessing Th1, Th17 and Treg cells by flow cytometry. We provided evidence that Tarragon (500 mg/kg) significantly ameliorated clinical scores of EAE. We did not observe significant alterations in T cell differentiation to Th1, Th17 or Treg in the spleen of mice during EAE. This is the first experimental evidence showing that administration of aqueous extract of Tarragon reduces the severity of EAE, but the protective effect of Tarragon is independent of alteration in T cells in the spleen. These results suggest other mechanisms for the effectiveness of this extract in improving the EAE process.

Meat products, such as fish meat, are known to be susceptible to undesirable chemical and microbial reactions that characterize spoilage. In this study, the effect of a sodium alginate and chitosan coating incorporated with Mentha piperita, Artemisia dracunculus, and Zataria multiflora essential oils on chemical and microbial attributes of rainbow trout meat was evaluated during storage at 4°C. Chemical and microbial assays were performed on rainbow trout fillets with alginate and chitosan coatings and 0.2% concentration of test essential oils. The results showed that the alginate coating with essential oils significantly decreased production of thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) and reduced the growth of foodborne spoilage bacteria during storage at 4ºC. At day 12, the best results were obtained in chitosan coating + Z. multiflora, with 5.96 ± 0.12, 4.93 ± 0.12, and 3.83 ± 0.2 for total viable counts, psychrotrophic bacterial count, and lactic acid bacteria count, respectively. Moreover, the lowest amounts of chemical analysis were observed in chitosan coating + Z. multiflora at the final day (0.54 ± 0.03 and 20.31 ± 0.1 for TBA and TVBN, respectively). Our study revealed that essential oils can be used as effective natural components against undesirable chemical and microbial reactions in fish meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the autoimmune diseases that affects the central nervous system (CNS) and causes myelin loss and axonal damage. Recent studies have shown the important role of autoreactive T cells in the pathogenesis of MS. One of the plants in the Astersa family, which has therapeutic benefits, is Artemisia dracunculus L. or Tarragon. In this study, the role of aqueous extract of Tarragon in suppressing Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation and ameliorating experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) was investigated. EAE was induced in C57BL/6 female mice by Hook kit MOG35-55/CFA Emulsion PTX and one group was treated with Tarragon at a dose of 500 mg/kg. Mice were euthanized on day 33 post-immunization, spleens were removed for assessing Th1, Th17 and Treg cells by flow cytometry. We provided evidence that Tarragon (500 mg/kg) significantly ameliorated clinical scores of EAE. We did not observe significant alterations in T cell differentiation to Th1, Th17 or Treg in the spleen of mice during EAE. This is the first experimental evidence showing that administration of aqueous extract of Tarragon reduces the severity of EAE, but the protective effect of Tarragon is independent of alteration in T cells in the spleen. These results suggest other mechanisms for the effectiveness of this extract in improving the EAE process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) from compositae family is important in the medicinal and nutritional industries and traditional medicine. Mycorrhiza fungi (Glomus intraradices) as an important biological fertilizer and synergist with plants can improve the plants resistance to environmental stresses. Objective: The objectives were to evaluate the interaction effects of mycorrhiza (Glomus intraradices) inoculation and salinity stress on morpho-physiological characteristics and essential oil content of tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.). Methods: This factorial experiment was conducted at research greenhouse of Medicinal Plants Institute (MPI) on the basis of randomized complete blocks design with 10 treatments and 3 replications. First factor was in two levels of inoculation and non-inoculation of mycorrhiza fungi, and second factor was five levels of salinity (control, 2, 4, 6, and 8 dS.m-1). Results: The analysis of variance showed that interaction effects of fungi inoculation and salt stress was significant on the studied parameters except for stem diameter and root length. The results showed that the most essential oil content (1.15%) was observed in the treatment of mycorrhiza fungi non-inoculation and salinity control and the most methyl chavicol content was attained in the inoculated plants by mycorrhiza fungi, and control treatment. Conclusion: In general, treatment of inoculation and control, and also treatment of fungi non-inoculation and control positively improved the dry weight of plant aerial parts and the essential oil content, respectively.

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The objective of the present study was to assess effect of Artemisia dracunculus in combination with chitosan nanoparticle biofilm on MRSA infected excisional wounds. Thirty rats were randomized into five groups of six rats each. Group I: Animals with uninfected wounds treated with 0.9% saline solution. Group II: Animals with infected wounds treated with saline. Group III: Animals with infected wounds were dressed with chitosan nanoparticle biofilm. Group IV: Animals with infected wounds were treated topically with Artemisia dracunculus and Group V: Animals with infected wounds were treated topically with Artemisia dracunculus and dressed with chitosan nanoparticle biofilm. Wound size was measured on 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21days after surgery. Microbiology, reduction in wound area and hydroxyproline contents indicated that there was significant difference (P < 0.05) between group V and other groups. Quantitative histological studies and mean rank of the qualitative studies demonstrated that there was significant difference (P < 0.05) between group V and other groups. It was concluded that the Artemisia dracunculus with chitosan nanoparticle biofilm had a reproducible wound healing potential and hereby justified its use in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two Artemisia (A. herba and A. drancunculus) essential oils were investigated. • The essential oils were chemically characterized by GC–MS technique. • The essential oils exhibited significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. • The species can be considered as valuable sources of bioactive agents in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. Artemisia herba alba and Artemisia dracunculus are widely used in folk medicine by many ethnic groups to relieve and treat various ailments, including diabetes, cancer, and infectious diseases. The current investigation aims to determine the phytochemical profile, antibacterial, anticandidal and antioxidant activities of Moroccan A. herba alba and A. dracunculus essential oils (EOs). Antioxidant activity was carried out using four complementary assays, namely ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging techniques, ferric-reducing power (FRAP) and lipid peroxidation tests. The antimicrobial potential of A. herba-alba and A. dracunculus EOs was examined against a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and yeasts, namely Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus Micrococcus luteus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella aerogenes, Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. The results demonstrated that the A. herba-alba and A. dracunculus EOs exhibited remarkable inhibitory effects against all tested microorganisms using disk-diffusion method and were competitor to the examined antibiotics, demonstrating a maximum inhibition diameter of the Gram-positive bacteria. The most susceptible was B. cereus (31.33 ± 4.04 mm), and the most susceptible Gram-negative bacteria was K. aerogenes (19.79 ± 1.53 mm), and C. tropicalis was the most susceptible Candida spp. to A. herba alba EOs (27.00 ± 0.66 mm). The MIC, MBC, and MFC values indicate that these EOs were highly effective at minimal concentrations. However, toxicological assessment, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic investigations are necessary to confirm the safety and the beneficial effects of these oils in human healthcare and industrial applications as potential sources of natural antioxidants and preservative agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that appears with a range of symptoms including cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral leishmaniasis. The present study sought to determine the antileishmanial effect of the extract of Artemisia dracunculus (Tarragon) compared to control treatment with pentavalent antimony (meglumine). Methods: This experimental study was performed in 2014-2015. A. dracunculus were collected from West Azerbaijan Province, Iran and dried; then the ethanolic extract of the plant was prepared. The effect of different concentrations of Artemisia's extract was compared with Glucantime ® in the stationary phase by MTT colorimetric assay and Trypan blue staining. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (HPBMCs) treated with L. major and production of IFN- γ and IL-4 cytokines measured at concentrations of 25, 20, 10 and 5µg/ml A. dracunculus. Results: Treatment with the extract did not affect the survival of the parasites during the first 48 h; however, on the third day (72 h), all concentrations significantly reduced the number of parasites with an efficacy of more than 50% at 10 µg/ml (P

Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of the hydro-alcoholic extract of aerial parts of Artemisia dracunculus (HAAD) against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: The antioxidant activity was evaluated by reducing power, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2, 20-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Rats were pre-treated with either 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of HAAD or silymarin (100 mg/kg; served as the positive control group) for 15 days and they received a single dose of CCl4 on the last day. Hepatoprotective effects were investigated by assessment of serum biochemical enzymes such as alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), total bilirubin (TB), malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GST and GSH), along with histopathological studies. Results: Total phenolic content was 197.22±3.73 mg gallic acid equivalent/g HAAD dry weight. HAAD indicated powerful activity in FRAP, DPPH and ABTS tests. Acute toxicity study showed that the extract had an LD50 of >5000 mg/kg. Oral treatment with HAAD exhibited a significant decrease in the levels of AST, ALT, ALP and TB and an increase in the level of TP. The extract significantly diminished MDA levels. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes were significantly augmented in rats pretreated with HAAD 200 mg/kg. Histopathological examination demonstrated lower liver damage in HAAD-treated groups as compared to CCl4 groups. Conclusion: Our findings indicated hepatoprotective effects of the hydro-alcoholic extract of A. dracunculus on CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats and suggested that these effects may be produced by reducing oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the effect of genetic transformation on biologically active compound (artemisinin and its co-products (ART) as well as sugars) accumulation inArtemisia vulgarisandArtemisia dracunculus“hairy” root cultures. Glucose, fructose, sucrose, and mannitol were accumulated inA. vulgarisandA. dracunculus“hairy” root lines. Genetic transformation has led in some cases to the sugar content increasing or appearing of nonrelevant for the control plant carbohydrates. Sucrose content was 1.6 times higher inA. vulgaris“hairy” root lines. Fructose content was found to be 3.4 times higher inA. dracunculus“hairy” root cultures than in the control roots. The accumulation of mannitol was a special feature of the leaves ofA. vulgarisandA. dracunculuscontrol roots.A. vulgaris“hairy” root lines differed also in ART accumulation level. The increase of ART content up to 1.02 mg/g DW in comparison with the nontransformed roots (up to 0.687 mg/g DW) was observed. Thus,Agrobacterium rhizogenes-mediated genetic transformation can be used for obtaining ofA. vulgarisandA. dracunculus“hairy” root culture produced ART and sugars in a higher amount than mother plants. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We investigated the cytotoxic and antitumor effects of nine leaf extracts from Artemisia dracunculus (Tarragon). Five extracts were obtained using different organic solvents and four by supercritical CO2. The cytotoxic effects were expressed as IC50 in 100, 80, 80, 100, and 80 μg/mL by respective solvents: hexane, ethyl acetate, acetone, ethanol, and acetonitrile in L5178Y lymphoma cells. For supercritical CO2 extract A, IC50 was 100 μg/mL; for extracts C and D, IC50 was 150 μg/mL. The antitumor activity was assessed through a tumor growth inhibition test that measured ascites fluid volume and tumor cell counts of BALB/c mice (2 × 104 cells L5178Y i.p.). Twenty-four hours after inoculation, mice were treated with 100 mg/kg of acetonitrile extract or extract SF-A daily for 15 days in independent groups of five mice, using two administration routes. We observed tumor evolution with and without treatment. Without treatment, tumor evolution was 17,969 × 106 ± 5485 L5178Y cells in 2.6 mL ascites volume, whereas the orally treated acetonitrile extract group showed 0.1 × 106 ± 0.07 L5178Y cells ( P < .05). The oral SF-A group showed 12.9 × 106 ± 243 L5178Y cells, and intraperitoneal (i.p.)-treated SF-A group showed 0.1 × 106 ± 0.05 L5178Y cells ( P < .05) without any ascites volume development. The acetonitrile extract contains abundant polyphenols and possibly a flavone with antioxidant activity. The SF-A contains abundant alkamides. Both extracts are complexes and the identity of the compounds responsible for observed antitumor activity remains unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that appears with a range of symptoms including cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral leishmaniasis. The present study sought to determine the antileishmanial effect of the extract of Artemisia dracunculus (Tarragon) compared to control treatment with pentavalent antimony (meglumine). Methods: This experimental study was performed in 2014-2015. A. dracunculus were collected from West Azerbaijan Province, Iran and dried; then the ethanolic extract of the plant was prepared. The effect of different concentrations of Artemisia's extract was compared with Glucantime ® in the stationary phase by MTT colorimetric assay and Trypan blue staining. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (HPBMCs) treated with L. major and production of IFN- γ and IL-4 cytokines measured at concentrations of 25, 20, 10 and 5µg/ml A. dracunculus. Results: Treatment with the extract did not affect the survival of the parasites during the first 48 h; however, on the third day (72 h), all concentrations significantly reduced the number of parasites with an efficacy of more than 50% at 10 µg/ml (P<0.01), 20µg/ml (P<0.001), and 25 µg/ml (P<0.0001). Moreover, IFN-γ and IL-4 secretion from the HPBMCs was significantly affected in a dosedependent manner, compared to the control (no extract). The IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio further confirmed this notion. Conclusion: A. dracunculus extract cannot only exert potent antileishmanial activity but may also enhance cellular immunity to this parasite. Further studies are required to determine the main compound(s) responsible for these effects of the plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problems resulting from excessive use of synthetic pesticides, including pest resistance and negative impacts on non-target organisms, have led to restrictions on the use of these compounds. The flour beetles, Tribolium castaneum and T. confusum are two of the most important pests of stored products worldwide. In the present study, the fumigant toxicity of an essential oil of Artemisia dracunculus to these pests was evaluated after 24 h of exposure. Activities of the major detoxifying enzymes were assessed at three different concentrations of essential oil (LC30, LC50 and LC70). The essential oil was significantly more toxic to T. castaneum (LC50= 67.2 µl/L air) than to T. confusum (LC50 = 178.4 µl/L air). The activity of GST (glutathione S-transferase) and MFOs (mixed function oxidases) of T. castaneum was positively and negatively correlated with increasing the essential oil doses, respectively. However this statistical relationship was reverse in T. confusum. Induction of GST in T. confusum might account for the lesser susceptibility of this species to the essential oil of A. dracunculus, while T. castaneum just showed a slight enhancement in the enzyme activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition, antioxidant potential and phytochemical analysis of Artemisia dracunculusas as well as its antibacterial and antifungal effects (individually or in combination with Coriandrum sativum and Plantago major) 'in vitro'. Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and anthocyanin content were determined through spectrophotometric methods. Antioxidant potential was determined calorimetrically for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity. The disk diffusion method and hole-plate diffusion method were used to assess the diameter of the inhibition zone. The pour plate method was adopted to determine the susceptibility of the pathogenic strains against Artemisia dracunculusas extract. The broth microdilution and agar dilution methods were employed to measure the minimum inhibitory concentration. The minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration was measured using the wells in which no turbidity/color change was observed. The fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was also determined for the extracts. The chemical composition of Artemisia dracunculusas essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. The results showed that IC of A. dracunculus was 65.4 μg/ml, Total phenolic content was equal to 24.10 mg GAE/g, total flavonoid content was 20 mg QE/g. The major components included p-Allylanisole (84.00%), Ocimene (E)-beta (7.46%), Ocimene (Z)-beta (6.24%) and Limonene (1.42%), respectively. The extract of A. dracunculus exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against fungi with an average inhibition zone of 14.70 mm. All bacteria (except Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcu aureus) were more resistant than Candida albicans. Regarding the checkerboard data, 10 FICIs (≤0.5) showed the synergistic effect, whereas eight FICIs (>0.5 to 1) indicated the additive effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

En parcelas establecidas de la Colección de Trabajo de Plantas Medicinales del Centro Experimental CEUNP en condiciones del departamento del Valle del Cauca, se tomaron muestras del material vegetal mediante el corte manual en un marco de 0.25m² ; se separaron hojas, tallos y flores de cada especie. Se determinó el porcentaje de materia seca y se acondicionó para el proceso de extracción de aceite esencial mediante arrastre con vapor. A los aceites obtenidos se les midió la densidad, y el índice de refracción, y al de mayor rendimiento en cada especie se le determinó la composición química mediante cromatografía de gases acoplada a masas. Los mayores rendimientos de aceite esencial se presentaron en las hojas de las cinco especies; los compuestos químicos más representativos fueron Elemicina (40.11%) en Estragón, el b-Himachaleno (53.98%) en Altamisa, trans-b-Cariofileno (22.18) en Salvia Roja, a-Bisabolol (15.79%) en Orozúl y 1,8- Cineol (Eucaliptol) (23.34%) en Albahaca. Las propiedades físicas fueron coherentes con la presencia de los compuestos químicos encontrados. Todos los aceites esenciales presentan potenciales usos agroindustriales, que varían de acuerdo con la especie y con sus componentes, desde usos en el sector de fragancias, cosmético, medicinal, alimenticio, hasta usos en el sector agrícola.

Platelet hyperactivity and platelet interaction with endothelial cells contribute to the development and progression of many cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and thrombosis. The impact of platelet activity with different pharmacological agents, such as acetylsalicylic acid and coumarin derivatives, has been shown to be effective in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Artemisia dracunculus, L. Asteraceae (Tarragon) is used for centuries in the daily diet in many Middle Eastern countries, and it is well known for its anticoagulant activity. The present study investigates the presence of coumarins in tarragon leaves and subsequently determines the extract with a major amount of coumarin derivatives. The solvents of different polarities and different pH values were used for the purpose of purifying the primary extract in order to obtain fractions with the highest coumarin content. Those extracts and fractions were investigated for their anticoagulant activity by determining prothrombin time (PT) and the international normalized ratio (INR), expressed in relation to the coagulation time of the healthy person. Purified extracts and fractions obtained from plant residue after essential oil distillation, concentrated in coumarin derivatives, showed the best anticoagulant activity, using samples of human blood. INR maximum value (2.34) and consequently the best anticoagulant activity showed the methanol extract at concentration of 5%. The INR value of normal plasma in testing this extract was 1.05.