Essential oil composition of Artemisia abrotanum L. during different vegetation stages in Lithuania

Abstract

Artemisia abrotanum L. was introduced in the Middle of Lithuania Collection of Spice–Melliferous Plants of the Scientific Sector of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the Botanical Garden ex situ at Vytautas Magnus University since 1980. The object of investigation was Artemisiae abrotani herba of Artemisia abrotanum L. All samples were collected at different vegetation stages: growth and leaf production, flower bud development, the beginning of flowering, massive flowering and the end of flowering. Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation. The chemical composition of the essential oils of Artemisiae abrotani herba was studied by GC/MS in the Department of Analytical and Toxicological Chemistry at the Lithuanian University of Health Science in 2018–2019. Fifty-six compounds of the oil were identified, of which (+)-piperitone was the major component (20.38–38.48%). The data in this study showed a remarkable quantitative variation of constituents in the essential oils. The highest content and diversity of compounds was determined during the flower bud development stage. Sixty identified compounds in this stage reached 76.6% of the identified oil content. The highest concentration of this compound (38.48%) was detected at the end of the flowering vegetation stage and the lowest amount (20.38%) was found during the growth and leaf production. Among the other major compounds were (+)-piperitone, 1,4-cineole, lavandulyl butyrate, aromandendrene and isogermacrene D.

Artemisia Species with High Biological Values as a Potential Source of Medicinal and Cosmetic Raw Materials

“…Additionally, various sesquiterpenoid compounds have been reported in essential oils of the discussed Artemisia ssp. ( Table 2 ) [ 2 , 11 , 33 , 54 , 55 , 57 , 65 , 73 , 74 , 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 , 99 , 100 , 101 , 102 , 103 , 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 ].…”

“…In addition, the presence of coumarin ( Figure 3 a), esculetin ( Figure 3 b), scopoline ( Figure 3 c), and herniarin ( Figure 3 d) has been documented in most of the discussed Artemisia ssp. ( Table 2 ) [ 2 , 54 , 55 , 84 , 89 , 97 , 102 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 , 118 , 119 , 120 ].…”

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

“…Analyses of the compounds present in A. abrotanum have focused primarily on the essential oil present in the herb of the species [ 9 , 11 , 40 ]. The composition and concentration of A. abrotanum essential oil are variable and dependent on the cultivation site, among other things [ 9 ]. The dominant fraction of the oil are compounds with a monoterpenoid structure.…”

“…The compound that was present in the highest amounts was piperitone. The remaining substances isolated in large amounts were: 1,4-cineole, lavandulyl butanoate, aromadendrene, and isogermacrene D. The essential oil content in the herb of the plant was the highest at the stage of flower-bud setting (38.48%), and the lowest at the stage of leaf growth and development (20.38%) [ 9 ].…”

“…This species also has its natural habitats in Asia Minor, Central Asia, and on the Arabian Peninsula [ 8 ]. The herb of this species— Abrotani herba — occupies an important position in the traditional medicine of European countries [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. It is recommended most often for the treatment of diseases of the liver and the biliary tract.…”