Phytochemical Profiling, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Cholinesterase Inhibitory Effects of Essential Oils Isolated from the Leaves of Artemisia scoparia and Artemisia absinthium

Abstract

The current studies were focused on the phytochemical profiling of two local wild Artemisia species, Artemisia scoparia and Artemisia absinthium leaves' essential oils, extracted via the hydro distillation method along with evaluation of their antioxidant as well as antimicrobial effects. The constituents of EOs were identified using a combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) technique. A total of 25 compounds in A. scoparia essential oil (EOAS) were identified, and 14 compounds with percentage abundance of >1% were tabulated, the major being tocopherol derivatives (47.55%). A total of nine compounds in Artemisia absinthium essential oil (EOAA) were enlisted (% age >1%), the majority being oleic acid derivatives (41.45%). Strong antioxidant effects were pronounced by the EOAS in DPPH (IC50 = 285 ± 0.82 µg/mL) and in ABTS (IC50 = 295 ± 0.32 µg/mL) free radical scavenging assays. Both the EOs remained potent in inhibiting the growth of bacterial species; Escherichia coli (55–70%) and Shigella flexneri (60–75%) however remained moderately effective against Bacillus subtilis as well as Staphylococcus aureus. Both EOAS and EOAA strongly inhibited the growth of the tested fungal species, especially Aspergillus species (up to 70%). The oils showed anti-cholinesterase potential by inhibiting both Acetylcholinesterase (AChE; IC50 = 30 ± 0.04 µg/mL (EOAS), 32 ± 0.05 µg/mL (EOAA) and Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE; IC50 = 34 ± 0.07 µg/mL (EOAS), 36 ± 0.03 µg/mL (EOAA). In conclusion, the essential oils of A. scoparia and A. absinthium are promising antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticholinergic agents with a different phytochemical composition herein reported for the first time.

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of the Leaf Essential Oils of Curcuma longa, Curcuma aromatica and Curcuma angustifolia

“…Several such spices are widely utilized in Ayurvedic and Chinese traditional medicines as dietary agents in the management of infectious and chronic illness [ 3 , 4 ]. Bioactive compounds and extracts from various aromatic plants are known for their biological activities, including antimicrobial properties [ 5 , 6 ]. Members of Zingiberaceae, Apiaceae, Lamiaceae, and Myrtaceae are well-known spices with potential health benefits.…”

Biological Evaluation of Valeriana Extracts from Argentina with Potent Cholinesterase Inhibition for the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders and Their Comorbidities—The Case of Valeriana carnosa Sm. (Caprifoliaceae) Studied in Mice

“…Studies on ChE inhibition by methanol extracts of different parts of Nelumbo nucifera have shown weak ChE inhibition by rhizomes, potent BChE inhibition by embryos and active AChE inhibition by seeds [ 49 , 50 ]. Artemisia scoparia and Artemisia absinthium leaves’ essential oils also show anticholinesterase potential by inhibiting both AChE (IC 50 of 30 ± 0.04 µg/mL and 32 ± 0.05 µg/mL, respectively) and BChE (IC 50 of 34 ± 0.07 µg/mL and 36 ± 0.03 µg/mL, respectively) [ 51 ]. Another study has described the inhibitory activity against BChE of 26 ethanolic extracts of Chinese medicinal plants.…”

Plant-Derived Bioactive Compounds in the Management of Neurodegenerative Disorders: Challenges, Future Directions and Molecular Mechanisms Involved in Neuroprotection

“…GC-MS was used to detect multiple bioactive constituents in the leaves and essential oils of Artemisia scoparia and Artemisia absinthium . Only nine phytochemicals were found to have substantial antioxidant activity with an IC 50 value of 285 ± 0.82 µg/mL, whereas oils showed some good inhibitory action against AChE and BChE, with IC 50 values of 30 ± 0.04 µg/mL and 34 ± 0.07 µg/mL, respectively [ 45 ]. Furthermore, the phytochemical analysis, antioxidants, and cholinesterase inhibitory activity of Mentha pulegium (L.), a plant growing in Bosnia and Herzegovina, were studied.…”