Chemical Composition and Some Biological Activities of Artemisia marschalliana Essential Oil

Abstract

<strong>Background and objectives</strong>: The aerial parts of <em>Artemisia marschalliana </em>Sprengel as an indigenous species of genus <em>Artemisia</em> in the East Azerbaijan province of Iran, was subjected to phytochemical analysis, as well asanti-proliferative, free-radical-scavenging and anti-malarialactivities. <strong>Methods:</strong> The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of <em>A. marschalliana </em>was analyzed by GC/MS (gas chromatography/mass spectrometry) and GC/FID (gas chromatography/ flame ionization detector). The anti-proliferative, anti-oxidant, and anti-malarial activities of the essential oil were assessed by MTT, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and cell-free β-hematin formation assays, respectively. <strong>Results: </strong>A total of 38 constituents were identified, which represented 95.55% of the oil. The essential oil was characterized by a high content of oxygenated sesquiterpenes. The major components of the oil were spathulenol (38.25%), isoaromadendrene epoxide (8.5%), and caryophyllene oxide (7.31%). The oil exhibited cytotoxic activity against the human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell line. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of anti-malarial assay was 0.38±0.04 mg/mL; the oil, however, displayed low anti-oxidant activity. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> These findings will be beneficial for the further development of new chemotherapeutic or anti-malarial agents.<br />