Bioactive Compounds, Pharmacological Actions, and Pharmacokinetics of Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium)

Abstract

Plants have been used since ancient times to cure certain infectious diseases, and some of them are now standard treatments for several diseases. Due to the side effects and resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to antibiotics and most drugs on the market, a great deal of attention has been paid to extracts and biologically active compounds isolated from plant species used in herbal medicine. Artemisia absinthium is an important perennial shrubby plant that has been widely used for the treatment of several ailments. Traditionally, A. absinthium has always been of pharmaceutical and botanical importance and used to manage several disorders including hepatocyte enlargement, hepatitis, gastritis, jaundice, wound healing, splenomegaly, dyspepsia, indigestion, flatulence, gastric pain, anemia, and anorexia. It has also been documented to possess antioxidant, antifungal, antimicrobial, anthelmintic, anti-ulcer, anticarcinogenic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, antidepressant, analgesic, immunomodulatory, and cytotoxic activity. Long-term use of A. absinthium essential oil may cause toxic and mental disorders in humans with clinical manifestations including convulsions, sleeplessness, and hallucinations. Combination chemotherapies of artemisia extract or its isolated active constituents with the currently available antibabesial or anti-malarial drugs are now documented to relieve malaria and piroplasmosis infections. The current review examines the phytoconstituents, toxic and biological activities of A. absinthium.

Biological Properties, Bioactive Constituents, and Pharmacokinetics of Some Capsicum spp. and Capsaicinoids

“…Reduced tear production and damaged corneal reflex lacrimation have been documented [210]. The toxic effects of Capsicum on the eyeball were documented by numerous researchers [208,211]. Contact may happen via breathing, producing an immediate redness of the mucous membranes [212].…”

Ganoderma Lucidum from Red Mushroom Attenuates Formaldehyde-Induced Liver Damage in Experimental Male Rat Model

“…Additionally, G. lucidum possesses protective roles as it has the ability to restore antioxidant, lipid profile and anti-inflammatory statuses. Hence, G. lucidum may be a probable drug candidate to target liver damage [ 54 , 55 ].…”

Research Advances on Health Effects of Edible Artemisia Species and Some Sesquiterpene Lactones Constituents

“…For example, A. annua is cited in several ancient books as being suitable for the treatment of consumptive fever, jaundice, summer heat wounds, tuberculosis, lice, scabies, dysentery, and hemorrhoids in addition to pain relievers, while in Iran is used as antispasmodic, carminative, or sedative remedy for children [ 9 , 16 , 18 ]. In turn, A. absinthium has been traditionally used to treat mainly gastrointestinal diseases and as anthelmintic although for example in Italy it is also used as an antiparasitic, antihypertensive and anti-inflammatory, while in France it is also used to stimulate appetite, as an antipyretic, and emmenagogue [ 17 , 19 ]. However, many other species are used on each continent.…”

“…The result of this vast investigation showed the Artemisia species (extracts and essential oils) as exhibiting antiparasitic, anticancer and anti-inflammatory action in addition to antioxidant, wound healing, antinociceptive, immunoregulation, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anti-asthmatic, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, anti-adipogenic, anti-ulcerogenic, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-osteoporotic activities [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 18 , 19 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ].…”