Essential Oil ofArtemisia annuaL.: An Extraordinary Component with Numerous Antimicrobial Properties

Abstract

Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae) is native to China, now naturalised in many other countries, well known as the source of the unique sesquiterpene endoperoxide lactone artemisinin, and used in the treatment of the chloroquine-resistant and cerebral malaria. The essential oil is rich in mono- and sesquiterpenes and represents a by-product with medicinal properties. Besides significant variations in its percentage and composition have been reported (major constituents can be camphor (up to 48%), germacrene D (up to 18.9%), artemisia ketone (up to 68%), and 1,8 cineole (up to 51.5%)), the oil has been subjected to numerous studies supporting exciting antibacterial and antifungal activities. Both gram-positive bacteria (Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Bacillus, and Listeria spp.), and gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia, Shigella, Salmonella, Haemophilus, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas spp.) and other microorganisms (Candida, Saccharomyces, and Aspergillus spp.) have been investigated. However, the experimental studies performed to date used different methods and diverse microorganisms; as a consequence, a comparative analysis on a quantitative basis is very difficult. The aim of this review is to sum up data on antimicrobial activity of A. annua essential oil and its major components to facilitate future approach of microbiological studies in this field.

Antibacterial activity of Tuscan Artemisia annua essential oil and its major components against some foodborne pathogens

“…The hydrophobic nature of most essential oils and plant extract components prevents their uniform diffusion through the agar medium; therefore, we performed MBC to have a complete view of the antibacterial activity of the compounds tested (Bilia et al, 2014). The hydrophobic properties are, in any case, decisive in order to destroy the microorganisms.…”

“…Plants containing polyphenols are the most investigated herbal drugs for their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities (Quideau, Deffieux, Douat-Casassus, & Pouysegu, 2011;Vlase et al, 2014). However, in popular tradition, aromatic plants have often been used with success in the therapeutic field, such as the species Artemisia annua L., a very interesting plant because of its numerous constituents (Bilia, Melillo de Malgalhaes, Bergonzi, & Vincieri, 2006;Bilia, Santomauro, Sacco, Bergonzi, & Donato, 2014).…”

“…Recently, the attention of researchers for this plant has also been focused on the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil, rich in mono-and sesquiterpenes, with a strong activity against some Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and fungi (Bilia et al, 2014). A great variability in the essential oil content is reported in literature, attributed to geographical source, harvesting season, climate, drying process, and the part of the plant that is distilled, which are significant factors influencing the chemical composition and relative proportions of the individual components in the essential oil of Artemisia annua (Viuda-Martos et al, 2010).…”

“…A great variability in the essential oil content is reported in literature, attributed to geographical source, harvesting season, climate, drying process, and the part of the plant that is distilled, which are significant factors influencing the chemical composition and relative proportions of the individual components in the essential oil of Artemisia annua (Viuda-Martos et al, 2010). However, the activity does not seem to be strongly related to the different chemical profiles (Bilia et al, 2014).…”

In vitro and in vivo antileishmanial activity of Artemisia annua L. leaf powder and its potential usefulness in the treatment of uncomplicated cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans

“…As the capsules only contain leaves, the possibility of the sub-therapeutic doses to generate resistance in malaria is low 29 . The advantage of A. annua L. powder, in comparison to the tea preparation, is that the powder may supply all the molecules present in the plant, particularly the polysaccharides, coumarins, saponins, phytosterols, essential oils, polyphenols, and flavonoids 30 . These molecules were reported to enhance the action of artemisinin 31 and may also have their own specific antimalarial action 32 .…”