In-vitro Evaluation of Anti-microbial and Cytotoxic Activity of Artemisia judaica Leaves and Stem Extracts via Induction of Caspase Dependent Apoptosis

Abstract

Medicinal plants and herbs are commonly used in the world to treat various human disorders. Artemisia judaica is one of these herbal species that is commonly used in medicine due to its contents of many bioactive compounds such as; flavonoids, lactones, essential oil and sesqui-terpenoids. It was used in many traditional medicines as an anthelmintic, antispasmodic, anti-rheumatic, and antibacterial agent. In recent years, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer activity of medicinal herbs are highly investigated. The present study is focused on the anti-microbial and cytotoxic effect of methanolic extract of Artemisia judaica leaves and stem. The antimicrobial assay was done on different gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and it was revealed that leaves and stem extracts possess high and moderate activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC 312.5μg/ml and 625μg/ml) and Proteus vulgaris (MIC 312.5μg/ml and 1250μg/ml) for leaves and stem, respectively. Extracts were screened against HepG2, HCT-116, MCF-7, A-549 and MRC-5 cancer cells and it was found that both extracts were active against all cell lines with highest selectivity and cytotoxic activity observed against HepG2 cells (IC 50 = 3.38 and 6.84μg/ml, for leaves and stem respectively). Further mechanistic studies on HepG2 cells showed that both extracts resulted in S-phase arrest and induced apoptosis via activation of caspase-3, p53 and Bax

Exploring the Antibacterial Potential of Artemisia judaica Compounds Targeting the Hydrolase/Antibiotic Protein in Klebsiella pneumoniae: In Vitro and In Silico Investigations

“…Several studies have explored the antimicrobial properties of various Artemisia species, including Artemisia judaica, against different bacterial pathogens [18,31,32]. Some studies have reported similar findings, supporting the antibacterial efficacy of Artemisia judaica extract against pathogenic bacteria [33]. For example, a study on the antibacterial activity of Artemisia against a range of bacterial strains, including K. pneumoniae, was conducted and observed inhibition zones in agreement with the outcomes of the current study [34].…”

3′-Demethoxy-6-O-Demethylisoguaiacin and Norisoguaiacin Nematocidal Lignans from Artemisia cina against Haemonchus contortus Infective Larvae

“…The antiparasitic compounds from the Asteraceae family are described as sesquiterpenes, lactones, phenols as tannins or gallic acid [ 6 ]. The anthelmintic compounds described below are reported as members of the genus Artemisia [ 7 ]. Artemisia was used against Trypanosoma cruzi and Giardia lamblia infections in humans [ 8 ].…”