1
|
Ekiert H, Świątkowska J, Klin P, Rzepiela A, Szopa A. Artemisia annua - Importance in Traditional Medicine and Current State of Knowledge on the Chemistry, Biological Activity and Possible Applications. Planta Med 2021; 87:584-599. [PMID: 33482666 DOI: 10.1055/a-1345-9528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Artemisia annua (annual mugwort) is a species that has long been used in traditional Asian medicine, mainly Chinese and Hindu. The species is widespread and known as a medicinal plant not only in Asia but also in Europe, in both Americas, and Australia. The species has become a subject of particular interest due to the 2015 Nobel Prize awarded for detecting the sesquiterpene lactone artemisinin in it and proving its antimalarial activities. The raw materials obtained from this species are Artemisiae annuae folium and Artemisiae annuae herba. The leaves are a raw material in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and Vietnamese Pharmacopoeia. Both raw materials are in the International Pharmacopoeia published by the WHO. The main components of these raw materials are mainly specific sesquiterpene lactones, essential oil, flavonoids, coumarins, and phenolic acids. In traditional Asian medicine, the species is used, for example, in the treatment of jaundice and bacterial dysentery, as an antipyretic agent in malaria and tuberculosis, in the treatment of wounds and haemorrhoids, and in viral, bacterial, and autoimmune diseases. Professional pharmacological studies conducted today have confirmed its known traditional applications and explain previously unknown mechanisms of its biological action and have also found evidence of new directions of biological activity, including, among others, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antitumour, and nephroprotective activities. The species is of growing importance in the cosmetics industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Halina Ekiert
- Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Joanna Świątkowska
- Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Paweł Klin
- Family Medicine Clinic, Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum (MVZ) Burgbernheim GmbH, Burgbernheim, Germany
| | - Agnieszka Rzepiela
- Museum of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Szopa
- Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ekiert H, Knut E, Świątkowska J, Klin P, Rzepiela A, Tomczyk M, Szopa A. Artemisia abrotanum L. (Southern Wormwood)-History, Current Knowledge on the Chemistry, Biological Activity, Traditional Use and Possible New Pharmaceutical and Cosmetological Applications. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26092503. [PMID: 33923002 PMCID: PMC8123286 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26092503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Artemisia abrotanum L. (southern wormwood) is a plant species with an important position in the history of European and Asian medicine. It is a species famous as a medicinal plant in Central Asia, Asia Minor, and in South-East and Central Europe. The raw materials obtained from this species are Abrotani herba and Abrotani folium. In the traditional European medicine, they have been used successfully most of all in liver and biliary tract diseases, in parasitic diseases in children and as antipyretic medication. In the official European medicine, this plant species is recommended by the French Pharmacopoeia for use in homeopathy. In many European countries, it is used traditionally in allopathy. The latest studies on the biological activity of extracts from the aboveground parts of the plant and/or the leaves, and/or the essential oil have provided evidence of other possible applications related to their antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anticancer, and antiallergic properties. The latest studies have also focused on the repellent activity of the essential oil of this species and the possibility to use it in the prevention of diseases in which insects are the vectors. The main substances obtained from the plant that are responsible for this activity are: the essential oil, coumarins, phenolic acids, and flavonoids. Some of the latest investigations emphasize the large differences in the composition of the essential oil, determined by the geographical (climatic) origin of the plant. A. abrotanum is recommended by the European Cosmetic Ingredients Database (CosIng) as a source of valuable cosmetic ingredients. Additionally, the leaves of this species possess a well-established position in the food industry. This plant species is also the object of biotechnological studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Halina Ekiert
- Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, ul. Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland; (E.K.); (J.Ś.)
- Correspondence: (H.E.); (A.S.); Tel.: +48-12-620-54-36 (H.E.); +48-12-620-54-30 (A.S.); Fax: +48-620-54-40 (H.E. & A.S.)
| | - Ewa Knut
- Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, ul. Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland; (E.K.); (J.Ś.)
| | - Joanna Świątkowska
- Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, ul. Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland; (E.K.); (J.Ś.)
| | - Paweł Klin
- Family Medicine Clinic, Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum (MVZ) Burgbernheim GmbH, Gruene Baumgasse 2, 91593 Burgbernheim, Germany;
| | - Agnieszka Rzepiela
- Museum of Pharmacy, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, ul. Floriańska 25, 31-019 Kraków, Poland;
| | - Michał Tomczyk
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Białystok, ul. Mickiewicza 2a, 15-230 Białystok, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka Szopa
- Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, ul. Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland; (E.K.); (J.Ś.)
- Correspondence: (H.E.); (A.S.); Tel.: +48-12-620-54-36 (H.E.); +48-12-620-54-30 (A.S.); Fax: +48-620-54-40 (H.E. & A.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ekiert H, Świątkowska J, Knut E, Klin P, Rzepiela A, Tomczyk M, Szopa A. Artemisia dracunculus (Tarragon): A Review of Its Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:653993. [PMID: 33927629 PMCID: PMC8076785 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.653993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Artemisia dracunculus L. (tarragon), Asteraceae, is a species that has long been used in traditional Asian medicine, mainly in Iran, Pakistan, Azerbaijan and India. It is known as a spice species in Asia, Europe and the Americas. The raw materials obtained from this species are herb and leaf. The presence of essential oil with a highly variable composition, as well as flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins and alkamides, determines the medicinal and/or spice properties of the plant. In traditional Asian medicine, this species is used, for example, in the treatment of digestive system diseases, as an analgesic, hypnotic, antiepileptic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent, and as an effective remedy in the treatment of helminthiasis. Nowadays, A. dracunculus is the subject of professional phytochemical and pharmacological researches. Pharmacological studies have confirmed its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects known from traditional uses; they have also proved very important new findings regarding its biological activity, such as antioxidant, immunomodulating and anti-tumour activities, as well as hepatoprotective and hypoglycaemic effects. A. dracunculus has long-held an established position in the food industry as a spice. And its use is growing in the cosmetics industry. Moreover, it is the subject of biotechnological research focused mainly on the development of micro-propagation protocols.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Halina Ekiert
- Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Joanna Świątkowska
- Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Ewa Knut
- Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Paweł Klin
- Family Medicine Clinic, Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum (MVZ) Burgbernheim GmbH, Burgbernheim, Germany
| | - Agnieszka Rzepiela
- Museum of Pharmacy, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Michał Tomczyk
- Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Białystok, Białystok, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Szopa
- Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Jagiellonian University, Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Szopa A, Pajor J, Klin P, Rzepiela A, Elansary HO, Al-Mana FA, Mattar MA, Ekiert H. Artemisia absinthium L.-Importance in the History of Medicine, the Latest Advances in Phytochemistry and Therapeutical, Cosmetological and Culinary Uses. Plants (Basel) 2020; 9:plants9091063. [PMID: 32825178 PMCID: PMC7570121 DOI: 10.3390/plants9091063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Artemisia absinthium-wormwood (Asteraceae)-is a very important species in the history of medicine, formerly described in medieval Europe as "the most important master against all exhaustions". It is a species known as a medicinal plant in Europe and also in West Asia and North America. The raw material obtained from this species is Absinthii herba and Artemisiae absinthii aetheroleum. The main substances responsible for the biological activity of the herb are: the essential oil, bitter sesquiterpenoid lactones, flavonoids, other bitterness-imparting compounds, azulenes, phenolic acids, tannins and lignans. In the official European medicine, the species is used in both allopathy and homeopathy. In the traditional Asian and European medicine, it has been used as an effective agent in gastrointestinal ailments and also in the treatment of helminthiasis, anaemia, insomnia, bladder diseases, difficult-to-heal wounds, and fever. Today, numerous other directions of biological activity of the components of this species have been demonstrated and confirmed by scientific research, such as antiprotozoal, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-ulcer, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, cytotoxic, analgesic, neuroprotective, anti-depressant, procognitive, neurotrophic, and cell membrane stabilizing and antioxidant activities. A. absinthium is also making a successful career as a cosmetic plant. In addition, the importance of this species as a spice plant and valuable additive in the alcohol industry (famous absinthe and vermouth-type wines) has not decreased. The species has also become an object of biotechnological research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Szopa
- Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland;
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (H.E.); Tel.: +48-(12)-6205436 (A.S.); +48-(12)-6205430 (H.E.); Fax: +48-(62)-05440 (A.S.); +48-(62)-05440 (H.E.)
| | - Joanna Pajor
- Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland;
| | - Paweł Klin
- Family Medicine Clinic, Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum (MVZ) Burgbernheim GmbH, Gruene Baumgasse 2, 91593 Burgbernheim, Germany;
| | - Agnieszka Rzepiela
- Museum of Pharmacy, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Floriańska 25, 31-019 Kraków, Poland;
| | - Hosam O. Elansary
- Plant Production Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (H.O.E.); (F.A.A.-M.)
- Floriculture, Ornamental Horticulture, and Garden Design Department, Faculty of Agriculture (El-Shatby), Alexandria University, Alexandria 21545, Egypt
- Department of Geography, Environmental Management, and Energy Studies, University of Johannesburg, APK Campus, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa
| | - Fahed A. Al-Mana
- Plant Production Department, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (H.O.E.); (F.A.A.-M.)
| | - Mohamed A. Mattar
- Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Halina Ekiert
- Chair and Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland;
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (H.E.); Tel.: +48-(12)-6205436 (A.S.); +48-(12)-6205430 (H.E.); Fax: +48-(62)-05440 (A.S.); +48-(62)-05440 (H.E.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rzepiela A. [The "Hortulus" of Valafridus Strabus from the IX-th century: one of the oldest documents of the medieval knowledge of herb-growing]. Arch Hist Filoz Med 2002; 63:195-8. [PMID: 11771506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
Valafridus Strabus, the author of the Latin poem entitled Hortulus (The Little Garden), lived in the Caroline epoch. He was a German monk and a poet and, for some time, he was connected with the famous Benedictine abbey at St. Gallen, which had a garden with curative herbs. He dedicated his best work, The Little Garden, to Grimaldus, the abbot of St. Gallen who was his master and teacher. This work, written in 444 hexameters, consists of 26 chapters which contain descriptions of 23 herbs such as sage, rue, lovage, mint and others. Apart from herbs, there are also descriptions of some vegetables grown in the monastery gardens, such as pumpkin, melon and celery. "The Little Garden" is one of the oldest and most highly valued documents of the medieval knowledge of herb-growing and their curative properties. It also gives us an idea of the arrangement of the medieval monastery garden in which herbs were grown.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Rzepiela
- Muzeum Farmacji Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego, Kraków, Floriańska
| |
Collapse
|