Artemisia vulgaris L., Artemisia alba Turra and their constituents reduce mitomycin C-induced genomic instability in human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of aqueous and acetone extracts from Artemisia vulgaris L. (AV) and Artemisia alba Turra (AA), and two major polyphenols compounds (3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and quercetin-3-O-glucopyranoside) presented in both extracts of the plants against mitomycin C (MMC)-induced genomic instability. Genomic instability was measured using cytokinesis block micronucleus (MN) assay in human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) in vitro by analyzing two biomarkers - MN and nuclear division index (NDI). Extracts were tested in a concentration-dependent manner (10-250 µg/mL), while 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and quercetin-3-O-glucopyranoside were tested in three different concentrations, in combination with 0.5 µg/mL of MMC. Aqueous and acetone extracts obtained from both plants significantly reduced MMC-induced MN frequency in PBLs, compared to positive control cells (p < 0.05). Extracts from AV did not affect NDI, whereas the concentrations of 10-100 μg/mL of aqueous and acetone AA extracts significantly elevated MMC-decreased NDI values in comparison to positive control cells (p < 0.05). Combined treatment of 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid and MMC showed a significant reduction of MMC-induced MN frequency, while quercetin-3-O-glucopyranoside increased MN frequency compared to positive control cells (p < 0.05). Both compounds decreased NDI values but only at the highest tested concentration of quercetin-3-O-glucopyranoside it was of greater significance. In conclusion, all extracts from AV and AA and 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid showed protective effect, whereby aqueous AA demonstrated the highest protective effect on MMC- induced genomic instability, while quercetin-3-O-glucopyranoside showed co-mutagen effect.

Activity-guided isolation and identification of antiherpesvirus and antineuroinflammatory active terpenoids from Artemisia vulgaris L. based on the LC-MS/MS molecular network

Seven undescribed terpenoids, comprising two guaiane-type sesquiterpene lactones (1-2), one eucalyptol-type sesquiterpene (3), one monolactone (4), and three triterpenoids (5-7), along with 35 known analogues, were isolated from the leaves of Artemisia vulgaris L. Their structures and configurations were analysed by extensive spectroscopy. Compounds 1, 2, 8-10, 13, 17, 19, and 28 showed antineuroinflammatory activity, and compounds 1 and 2 revealed remarkable antineuroinflammatory effects, with an IC50 value of 2.2 ± 0.1 and 1.6 ± 0.1 μM, more potent than the positive control drug dexamethasone. Furthermore, compounds 1 and 2 could inhibit the expression of BV-2 inflammatory genes (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β) induced by LPS, downregulate the critical inflammatory protein production of iNOS and COX-2. The anti-HSV-1 activity screening revealed that compounds 28, 29 and 38 exhibited inhibitory activity against HSV-1 proliferation. Particularly, compound 28 exhibited a significant anti-HSV-1 effect, inhibiting the proliferation of HSV-1 and acyclovir-resistant strains of HSV-1/153 and HSV-1/Blue. Our research identified compounds 1, 2, and 28 from A. vulgaris., which could potentially serve as lead compounds for antineuroinflammatory and anti-HSV-1 activities.

Antiviral activities of Artemisia vulgaris L. extract against herpes simplex virus

BACKGROUND

Artemisia vulgaris L. is often used as a traditional Chinese medicine with the same origin of medicine and food. Its active ingredient in leaves have multiple biological functions such as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and insecticidal, anti-tumor, antioxidant and immune regulation, etc. It is confirmed that folium Artemisiae argyi has obvious anti-HBV activity, however, its antiviral activity and mechanism against herpesvirus or other viruses are not clear. Hence, we aimed to screen the crude extracts (Fr.8.3) isolated and extracted from folium A. argyi to explore the anti-herpesvirus activity and mechanism.

METHODS

The antiherpes virus activity of Fr.8.3 was mainly characterized by cytopathic effects, real-time PCR detection of viral gene replication and expression levels, western blotting, viral titer determination and plaque reduction experiments. The main components of Fr.8.3 were identified by using LC-MS, and selected protein targets of these components were investigated through molecular docking.

RESULTS

We collected and isolated a variety of A. vulgaris L. samples from Tangyin County, Henan Province and then screened the A. vulgaris L. leaf extracts for anti-HSV-1 activity. The results of the plaque reduction test showed that the crude extract of A. vulgaris L.-Fr.8.3 had anti-HSV-1 activity, and we further verified the anti-HSV-1 activity of Fr.8.3 at the DNA, RNA and protein levels. Moreover, we found that Fr.8.3 also had a broad spectrum of antiviral activity. Finally, we explored its anti-HSV-1 mechanism, and the results showed that Fr.8.3 exerted an anti-HSV-1 effect by acting directly on the virus itself. Then, the extracts were screened on HSV-1 surface glycoproteins and host cell surface receptors for potential binding ability by molecular docking, which further verified the phenotypic results. LC-MS analysis showed that 1 and 2 were the two main components of the extracts. Docking analysis suggested that compounds from extract 1 might similarly cover the binding domain between the virus and the host cells, thus interfering with virus adhesion to cell receptors, which provides new ideas and insights for clinical drug development for herpes simplex virus type 1.

CONCLUSION

We found that Fr.8.3 has anti-herpesvirus and anti-rotavirus effects. The main 12 components in Fr.8.3 were analyzed by LC-MS, and the protein targets were finally predicted through molecular docking, which showed that alkaloids may play a major role in antiviral activity.

Sesquiterpenoids and triterpenoids with anti-inflammatory effects from Artemisia vulgaris L

In this study, eight undescribed sesquiterpenoids (artemvulactone A-G and artemvulemdiol A), and two undescribed triterpenoids, (3S)-dammar-20,25-diene-3-hydroxy-24-one and (3S,23E)-dammar-20,23-diene-25- methoxy-3-ol were isolated from the leaves of Artemisia vulgaris L., together with ten known sesquiterpenoids and three known triterpenoids. The structures of these undescribed terpenoids were determined by extensive spectroscopy methods, including 1D and 2D-NMR, HRESIMS, IR, UV, X-ray diffraction, and ECD. The absolute configurations of artemvulactone A, artemvulactone D, and artemvulactone E were determined by X-ray diffraction (Cu Kα). All isolates were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory efficacy by detecting the expression of inflammatory mediator NO in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells, and the results indicated that artemvulactone E exhibited significant anti-inflammatory effect with an IC50 value of 0.9 ± 0.2 μM. Furthermore, artemvulactone E could reduce LPS-induced COX-2 protein expression dose-dependently by western blotting experiments.

Comparative study of the genotoxic activity of Artemisia vulgaris L. and Artemisia alba Turra extracts in vitro

In this study, the genotoxic activity of acetone and aqueous extracts of two species of genus Artemisia (Artemisia vulgaris L. and Artemisia alba Turra), and possible role of their polyphenolic composition in the observed activities were investigated. Polyphenolic contents were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-PDA), while the genotoxic activity was tested using cytokinesis block micronucleus (CBMN) assay on human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) in vitro. HPLC-PDA showed that both A. alba extracts were richer in polyphenolic contents than A. vulgaris extracts. The acetone A. alba extract was the richest of polyphenolic content where we detected six phenolic acids and two flavonoids. CBMN assay showed that aqueous extract of A. vulgaris significantly increased micronucleus (MN) frequency in the PBLs treated with all tested concentrations (10, 50, 100, and 250 µg/mL), while A. alba did not significantly affect the mean MN frequency. Further, both acetone extracts were genotoxic in all tested concentrations, except the lowest tested (10 µg/mL) of A. alba. All tested extracts affected the nuclear division index (NDI) except the aqueous A. alba extract (p < 0.05). Based on our results, we can conclude that both acetone and aqueous A. vulgaris extracts and A. alba acetone extract were genotoxic in PBLs in vitro. A. alba aqueous extract was not genotoxic and cytotoxic in tested concentrations. We suggest that the aqueous extract of A. alba can be used in treatment, which has been confirmed by traditional medicine, but with a high dose of caution and not in high concentrations.

Enhanced Production of β-Caryophyllene by Farnesyl Diphosphate Precursor-Treated Callus and Hairy Root Cultures of Artemisia vulgaris L

Artemisia vulgaris L. produces a wide range of valuable secondary metabolites. The aim of the present study is to determine the effects of various concentrations of farnesyl diphosphate (FDP) on β-caryophyllene content in both callus and hairy root (HR) cultures regeneration from leaf explants of A. vulgaris L. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4D; 4-13 μM), α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA; 5-16 μM), and FDP (1 and 3 μM) was used for callus induction and HR regeneration from leaf explants of A. vulgaris L. In this study, precursor-treated (2,4D 13.5 μM + FDP 3 μM) callus displayed the highest biomass fresh weight (FW)/dry weight (DW): 46/25 g, followed by NAA 10.7 μM + FDP 3 μM with FW/DW: 50/28 g. Two different Agrobacterium rhizogenes strains (A₄ and R₁₀₀₀) were evaluated for HR induction. The biomass of HRs induced using half-strength MS + B₅ vitamins with 3 μM FDP was FW/DW: 40/20 g and FW/DW: 41/19 g, respectively. To determine β-caryophyllene accumulation, we have isolated the essential oil from FDP-treated calli and HRs and quantified β-caryophyllene using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The highest production of β-caryophyllene was noticed in HR cultures induced using A₄ and R₁₀₀₀ strains on half-strength MS medium containing 3 μM FDP, which produced 2.92 and 2.80 mg/ml β-caryophyllene, respectively. The optimized protocol can be used commercially by scaling up the production of a β-caryophyllene compound in a short span of time.

Safety and efficacy of a tincture derived from Artemisia vulgaris L. (Mugwort tincture) when used as a sensory additive in feed for all animal species

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of a tincture from Artemisia vulgaris L. (Mugwort tincture) when used as a sensory feed additive for all animal species. The product is a water/ethanol ■■■■■ solution, with a dry matter content of approximately 1.7%. The product is specified to contain a minimum of 0.01% hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (expressed as chlorogenic acid). However, since the 74% of the dry matter fraction of the additive remains uncharacterised, the FEEDAP Panel cannot conclude on the safety of the additive at the proposed use levels of up to 400 mg/kg complete feed for all animal species or for the consumer. No specific data were provided by the applicant regarding the safety of the additive for users. In the absence of data, no conclusions can be drawn on the additive's potential to be a dermal/eye irritant or a skin sensitiser. A. vulgaris is native to Europe. Consequently, the use of a tincture derived from the plant at the maximum proposed dose is not considered to be a risk for the environment. Since the major components of the additive are recognised to provide flavour in food and its function in feed would be essentially the same, no demonstration of efficacy is considered necessary.

Novel synthesis of gold nanoparticles using Artemisia vulgaris L. leaf extract and their efficacy of larvicidal activity against dengue fever vector Aedes aegypti L

The Aedes aegypti L. mosquito transmits dengue and yellow fever, which cause millions of death every year. Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease that has rapidly spread worldwide particularly in countries with tropical and subtropical climates areas. The present study denotes a simple and eco-friendly biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles using Artemisia vulgaris L. leaf extract as reducing agent. The synthesized gold nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Visible Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Zeta Potential (ZP), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX). Solid state ¹³C NMR was utilized to confirm the presence of larvicidal compound Beta caryophyllene in the synthesized AuNPs. Larvicidal activity of the synthesized AuNPs was measured against A. aegypti over 12 and 24h exposure periods and compared with essential oil in various concentrations (25ppm, 50ppm, 100ppm, 200ppm and 400ppm). After a 12h exposure period, the larvicidal activity of 3^rd instar larva by AuNPs showed LC₅₀=156.55ppm and LC₉₀=2506.21ppm, while and essential oil displayed LC₅₀=128.99ppm and LC₉₀=1477.08ppm. Larvicidal activity of 4^th instar larva by AuNPs showed LC₅₀=97.90ppm and LC₉₀=1677.36ppm, while essential oil displayed LC₅₀=136.15ppm and LC₉₀=2223.55ppm. After a 24h of exposure period, larvicidal activity of 3^rd instar larva by AuNPs showed LC₅₀=62.47ppm and LC₉₀=430.16ppm and essential oil showed LC₅₀=111.15ppm and LC₉₀=1441.51ppm. The larvicidal activity of 4^th instar larva and AuNPs displayed LC₅₀=43.01ppm and LC₉₀=376.70ppm and for essential oil LC₅₀=74.42ppm, LC₉₀=858.36ppm. Histopathology of A. aegypti with AuNPs for 3^rdand 4^th stage larvae after 24h exposure at the highest mortality concentration (400ppm) showed that the area of the midgut, epithelial cells and cortex were highly affected. The present findings demonstrate that the biosynthesis of AuNPs using A. vulgaris leaf extracts could be an eco-friendly, safer nanobiopesticide and treatment against A. aegypti which could be used to combat of dengue fever.

Pharmacological characteristics of Artemisia vulgaris L. in isolated porcine basilar artery

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

In Vietnamese traditional herbalism, there are conflicting opinions about the effect of Artemisia vulgaris L. (AVL, English name: mugwort) on hypertension. Some ethnic doctors recommend the use of AVL for treatment of hypertension, whereas others advise against it. The purpose of this study was to clarify the pharmacological characteristics of AVL in isolated arteries to explain the conflicts surrounding the use of AVL for treatment of hypertension.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We initially performed a functional study using an organ bath system to investigate the effect of AVL extract on isolated porcine basilar artery. We then measured the change in intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration elicited by AVL using cultured smooth muscle cells loaded with the Ca(2+) indicator fluo-4. Finally, using HPLC, we determined the active components in AVL.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

AVL induced vasoconstriction at resting tension, and endothelial removal enhanced this effect significantly. Pretreatment with PD123319 (an AT2 receptor antagonist), Nω-nitro-L-arginine (a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), or both, also enhanced this effect. AVL-induced contraction was competitively inhibited by methiothepin (a 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 receptor antagonist) in the presence of ketanserin (a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist). Removal of extracellular calcium with nifedipine (an L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker) or ruthenium red (a ryanodine receptor blocker) significantly reduced AVL-induced contraction, whereas losartan (an AT1 receptor antagonist) and diphenhydramine (a H1 receptor antagonist) had no effect on this contraction. AVL increased the intracellular free Ca(2+) concentration in cultured cells, and this increment was inhibited by methiothepin. HPLC analysis revealed that the retention time of the first peak in the AVL profile was similar to that of the 5-HT standard, and that addition of 5-HT to the AVL sample enhanced this peak. On the other hand, AVL induced endothelium-independent relaxation under precontracted conditions with 60mM KCl. Captopril (an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor), atenolol (a β1 receptor antagonist) and cimetidine (a H2 receptor antagonist) had no effect on this relaxation. In Ca(2+)-free 60mM KCl-containing solution, pretreatment with AVL significantly inhibited CaCl2-induced contraction.

CONCLUSION

For the first time, the present study has demonstrated that AVL has two opposite effects, contraction and relaxation, on isolated artery, which may help to explain the conflicting indications for AVL in traditional herbalism. 5-HT is a significant factor affecting artery contraction in the presence of AVL.