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Negri S, Pietrolucci F, Andreatta S, Chinyere Njoku R, Antunes Silva Nogueira Ramos C, Crimi M, Commisso M, Guzzo F, Avesani L. Bioprospecting of Artemisia genus: from artemisinin to other potentially bioactive compounds. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4791. [PMID: 38413638 PMCID: PMC10899597 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55128-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Species from genus Artemisia are widely distributed throughout temperate regions of the northern hemisphere and many cultures have a long-standing traditional use of these plants as herbal remedies, liquors, cosmetics, spices, etc. Nowadays, the discovery of new plant-derived products to be used as food supplements or drugs has been pushed by the exploitation of bioprospection approaches. Often driven by the knowledge derived from the ethnobotanical use of plants, bioprospection explores the existing biodiversity through integration of modern omics techniques with targeted bioactivity assays. In this work we set up a bioprospection plan to investigate the phytochemical diversity and the potential bioactivity of five Artemisia species with recognized ethnobotanical tradition (A. absinthium, A. alba, A. annua, A. verlotiorum and A. vulgaris), growing wild in the natural areas of the Verona province. We characterized the specialized metabolomes of the species (including sesquiterpenoids from the artemisinin biosynthesis pathway) through an LC-MS based untargeted approach and, in order to identify potential bioactive metabolites, we correlated their composition with the in vitro antioxidant activity. We propose as potential bioactive compounds several isomers of caffeoyl and feruloyl quinic acid esters (e.g. dicaffeoylquinic acids, feruloylquinic acids and caffeoylferuloylquinic acids), which strongly characterize the most antioxidant species A. verlotiorum and A. annua. Morevoer, in this study we report for the first time the occurrence of sesquiterpenoids from the artemisinin biosynthesis pathway in the species A. alba.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Negri
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 15, Strada Le Grazie, 37134, Verona, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Fabio Pietrolucci
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 15, Strada Le Grazie, 37134, Verona, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Ruth Chinyere Njoku
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 15, Strada Le Grazie, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Massimo Crimi
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 15, Strada Le Grazie, 37134, Verona, Italy
| | - Mauro Commisso
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 15, Strada Le Grazie, 37134, Verona, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133, Palermo, Italy
| | - Flavia Guzzo
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 15, Strada Le Grazie, 37134, Verona, Italy.
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Linda Avesani
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, 15, Strada Le Grazie, 37134, Verona, Italy.
- National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), 90133, Palermo, Italy.
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Nabi N, Singh S, Saffeullah P. An updated review on distribution, biosynthesis and pharmacological effects of artemisinin: A wonder drug. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2023; 214:113798. [PMID: 37517615 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2023.113798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Plant-based drugs have been used for centuries for treating different ailments. Malaria, one of the prevalent threats in many parts of the world, is treated mainly by artemisinin-based drugs derived from plants of genus Artemisia. However, the distribution of artemisinin is restricted to a few species of the genus; besides, its yield depends on ontogeny and the plant's geographical location. Here, we review the studies focusing on biosynthesis and distributional pattern of artemisinin production in species of the genus Artemisia. We also discussed various agronomic and in vitro methods and molecular approaches to increase the yield of artemisinin. We have summarized different mechanisms of artemisinin involved in its anti-malarial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral activities (like against Covid-19). Overall the current review provides a synopsis of a global view of the distribution of artemisinin, its biosynthesis, and pharmacological potential in treating various diseases like malaria, cancer, and coronavirus, which may provoke future research efforts in drug development. Nevertheless, long-term trials and molecular approaches, like CRISPR-Cas, are required for in-depth research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelofer Nabi
- Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Seema Singh
- Department of Botany, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Peer Saffeullah
- Department of Botany, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, 110062, India.
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Zhang N, Yang H, Han T, Kim HS, Marcelis LFM. Towards greenhouse cultivation of Artemisia annua: The application of LEDs in regulating plant growth and secondary metabolism. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 13:1099713. [PMID: 36743532 PMCID: PMC9889874 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1099713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone produced in glandular trichomes of Artemisia annua, and is extensively used in the treatment of malaria. Growth and secondary metabolism of A. annua are strongly regulated by environmental conditions, causing unstable supply and quality of raw materials from field grown plants. This study aimed to bring A. annua into greenhouse cultivation and to increase artemisinin production by manipulating greenhouse light environment using LEDs. A. annua plants were grown in a greenhouse compartment for five weeks in vegetative stage with either supplemental photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (blue, green, red or white) or supplemental radiation outside PAR wavelength (far-red, UV-B or both). The colour of supplemental PAR hardly affected plant morphology and biomass, except that supplemental green decreased plant biomass by 15% (both fresh and dry mass) compared to supplemental white. Supplemental far-red increased final plant height by 23% whereas it decreased leaf area, plant fresh and dry weight by 30%, 17% and 7%, respectively, compared to the treatment without supplemental radiation. Supplemental UV-B decreased plant leaf area and dry weight (both by 7%). Interestingly, supplemental green and UV-B increased leaf glandular trichome density by 11% and 9%, respectively. However, concentrations of artemisinin, arteannuin B, dihydroartemisinic acid and artemisinic acid only exhibited marginal differences between the light treatments. There were no interactive effects of far-red and UV-B on plant biomass, morphology, trichome density and secondary metabolite concentrations. Our results illustrate the potential of applying light treatments in greenhouse production of A. annua to increase trichome density in vegetative stage. However, the trade-off between light effects on plant growth and trichome initiation needs to be considered. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms of light spectrum regulation on artemisinin biosynthesis need further clarification to enhance artemisinin yield in greenhouse production of A. annua.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningyi Zhang
- Horticulture and Product Physiology, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Haohong Yang
- Horticulture and Product Physiology, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Tianqi Han
- Horticulture and Product Physiology, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Hyoung Seok Kim
- Smart Farm Convergence Research Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung, Republic of Korea
| | - Leo F. M. Marcelis
- Horticulture and Product Physiology, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands
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Yu X, Jia D, Duan P. Plasmid engineering of aphid alarm pheromone in tobacco seedlings affects the preference of aphids. PLANT SIGNALING & BEHAVIOR 2019; 14:e1588669. [PMID: 30849285 PMCID: PMC6512937 DOI: 10.1080/15592324.2019.1588669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Plants producing sufficient amount of aphid alarm pheromone by expressing (E)-β-Farnesene (EβF) synthase gene may contribute to plant protection by reducing aphid populations. However, terpene biosynthesis varies among plant species and developmental stages. In the present study, volatile headspace analysis of tobacco seedlings with MaβFS1 (an EβF synthase from the Asian peppermint Mentha asiatica) failed to generate EβF. We further targeted MaβFS1 to the tobacco plastid, using a chloroplast targeting sequence, either with or without the AtFPS1 gene for the biosynthesis of the precursor farnesyl diphosphate. When both MaβFS1 and AtFPS1 genes were targeted to the chloroplast, low levels of EβF were detected in stably transformed tobacco seedlings; resulting in specific repellence of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae. These data indicate that redirecting the EβF biosynthetic pathway from its natural cytosolic location to the chloroplast is a valid strategy. This redirecting strategy may be very useful for other crop plants that do not naturally produce EβF or other repellent volatiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiudao Yu
- School of Agricultural Engineering/Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Water Security for Water Source Region of Mid-line of South-to-North Diversion Project, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, Henan, China
| | - Dianyong Jia
- School of Agricultural Engineering/Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Water Security for Water Source Region of Mid-line of South-to-North Diversion Project, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, Henan, China
| | - Pengfei Duan
- School of Agricultural Engineering/Henan Collaborative Innovation Center of Water Security for Water Source Region of Mid-line of South-to-North Diversion Project, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, Henan, China
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Numonov S, Sharopov F, Salimov A, Sukhrobov P, Atolikshoeva S, Safarzoda R, Habasi M, Aisa HA. Assessment of Artemisinin Contents in Selected Artemisia Species from Tajikistan (Central Asia). MEDICINES 2019; 6:medicines6010023. [PMID: 30709043 PMCID: PMC6473495 DOI: 10.3390/medicines6010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Background: Central Asia is the center of origin and diversification of the Artemisia genus. The genus Artemisia is known to possess a rich phytochemical diversity. Artemisinin is the shining example of a phytochemical isolated from Artemisia annua, which is widely used in the treatment of malaria. There is great interest in the discovery of alternative sources of artemisinin in other Artemisia species. Methods: The hexane extracts of Artemisia plants were prepared with ultrasound-assisted extraction procedures. Silica gel was used as an adsorbent for the purification of Artemisia annua extract. High-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection was performed for the quantification of underivatized artemisinin from hexane extracts of plants. Results: Artemisinin was found in seven Artemisia species collected from Tajikistan. Content of artemisinin ranged between 0.07% and 0.45% based on dry mass of Artemisia species samples. Conclusions: The artemisinin contents were observed in seven Artemisia species. A. vachanica was found to be a novel plant source of artemisinin. Purification of A. annua hexane extract using silica gel as adsorbent resulted in enrichment of artemisinin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sodik Numonov
- Research Institution "Chinese-Tajik Innovation Center for Natural Products" of the Tajikistan Academy of Sciences, Ayni str. 299/2, Dushanbe 734063, Tajikistan.
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Chemistry in Arid Regions, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China.
- Center for Research in Innovative Technologies, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan, Dushanbe 734062, Tajikistan.
| | - Farukh Sharopov
- Research Institution "Chinese-Tajik Innovation Center for Natural Products" of the Tajikistan Academy of Sciences, Ayni str. 299/2, Dushanbe 734063, Tajikistan.
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Chemistry in Arid Regions, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China.
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Avicenna Tajik State Medical University, Rudaki 139, Dushanbe 734003, Tajikistan.
| | - Aminjon Salimov
- V.I. Nikitin Institute of Chemistry of the Tajikistan Academy of Sciences, Ayni str. 299/2, Dushanbe 734063, Tajikistan.
| | - Parviz Sukhrobov
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Chemistry in Arid Regions, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China.
| | - Sunbula Atolikshoeva
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Chemistry in Arid Regions, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China.
| | - Ramazon Safarzoda
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Avicenna Tajik State Medical University, Rudaki 139, Dushanbe 734003, Tajikistan.
| | - Maidina Habasi
- Research Institution "Chinese-Tajik Innovation Center for Natural Products" of the Tajikistan Academy of Sciences, Ayni str. 299/2, Dushanbe 734063, Tajikistan.
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Chemistry in Arid Regions, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China.
| | - Haji Akber Aisa
- Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Chemistry in Arid Regions, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China.
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Muangphrom P, Seki H, Fukushima EO, Muranaka T. Artemisinin-based antimalarial research: application of biotechnology to the production of artemisinin, its mode of action, and the mechanism of resistance of Plasmodium parasites. J Nat Med 2016; 70:318-34. [PMID: 27250562 PMCID: PMC4935751 DOI: 10.1007/s11418-016-1008-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is a worldwide disease caused by Plasmodium parasites. A sesquiterpene endoperoxide artemisinin isolated from Artemisia annua was discovered and has been accepted for its use in artemisinin-based combinatorial therapies, as the most effective current antimalarial treatment. However, the quantity of this compound produced from the A. annua plant is very low, and the availability of artemisinin is insufficient to treat all infected patients. In addition, the emergence of artemisinin-resistant Plasmodium has been reported recently. Several techniques have been applied to enhance artemisinin availability, and studies related to its mode of action and the mechanism of resistance of malaria-causing parasites are ongoing. In this review, we summarize the application of modern technologies to improve the production of artemisinin, including our ongoing research on artemisinin biosynthetic genes in other Artemisia species. The current understanding of the mode of action of artemisinin as well as the mechanism of resistance against this compound in Plasmodium parasites is also presented. Finally, the current situation of malaria infection and the future direction of antimalarial drug development are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paskorn Muangphrom
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Hikaru Seki
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Ery Odette Fukushima
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
- Continuing Professional Development Center, Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Toshiya Muranaka
- Department of Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
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Li C, Chen F, Zhang Y. GA3 and other signal regulators (MeJA and IAA) improve xanthumin biosynthesis in different manners in Xanthium strumarium L. Molecules 2014; 19:12898-908. [PMID: 25157461 PMCID: PMC6271588 DOI: 10.3390/molecules190912898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2014] [Revised: 08/09/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Xanthanolides from Xanthium strumarium L. exhibit various pharmacological activities and these compounds are mainly produced in the glandular trichomes of aerial plant parts. The regulation of xanthanolide biosynthesis has never been reported in the literature. In this study, the effects of phytohormonal stimulation on xanthumin (a xanthanolide compound) biosynthesis, glandular trichomes and germacrene A synthase (GAS) gene expression in X. strumarium L. young leaves were investigated. The exogenous applications of methyl jasmonate (MeJA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and gibberrellin A3 (GA3) at appropriate concentrations were all found to improve xanthumin biosynthesis, but in different ways. It was suggested that a higher gland density stimulated by MeJA (400 µM) or IAA (200 µM) treatment caused at least in part an improvement in xanthumin production, whereas GA3 (10 µM) led to an improvement by up-regulating xanthumin biosynthetic genes within gland cells, not by forming more glandular trichomes. Compared to the plants before the flowering stage, plants that had initiated flowering showed enhanced xanthumin biosynthesis, but no higher gland density, an effect was similar to that caused by exogenous GA3 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changfu Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Fangfang Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Yansheng Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Plant Germplasm Enhancement and Specialty Agriculture, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China.
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Pani A, Mahapatra RK, Behera N, Naik PK. Computational identification of sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua) microRNA and their mRNA targets. GENOMICS PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2012; 9:200-10. [PMID: 22289476 PMCID: PMC5054163 DOI: 10.1016/s1672-0229(11)60023-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2011] [Accepted: 10/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Despite its efficacy against malaria, the relatively low yield (0.01%-0.8%) of artemisinin in Artemisia annua is a serious limitation to the commercialization of the drug. A better understanding of the biosynthetic pathway of artemisinin and its regulation by both exogenous and endogenous factors is essential to improve artemisinin yield. Increasing evidence has shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) play multiple roles in various biological processes. In this study, we used previously known miRNAs from Arabidopsis and rice against expressed sequence tag (EST) database of A. annua to search for potential miRNAs and their targets in A. annua. A total of six potential miRNAs were predicted, which belong to the miR414 and miR1310 families. Furthermore, eight potential target genes were identified in this species. Among them, seven genes encode proteins that play important roles in artemisinin biosynthesis, including HMG-CoA reductase (HMGR), amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS), farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPS) and cytochrome P450. In addition, a gene coding for putative AINTEGUMENTA, which is involved in signal transduction and development, was also predicted as one of the targets. This is the first in silico study to indicate that miRNAs target genes encoding enzymes involved in artemisinin biosynthesis, which may help to understand the miRNA-mediated regulation of artemisinin biosynthesis in A. annua.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alok Pani
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India
| | - Rajani Kanta Mahapatra
- School of Biotechnology, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751024, India
- School of Life Sciences, Sambalpur University, Burla, Odisha 768019, India
- Corresponding author.
| | - Niranjan Behera
- School of Life Sciences, Sambalpur University, Burla, Odisha 768019, India
| | - Pradeep Kumar Naik
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, Jaypee University of Information Technology, Solan, Himachal Pradesh 173215, India
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