Artemisia capillaris: Medicinal uses and Future Source for Commercial Uses from Western Himalaya of Uttrakhand

 

Rakesh K Joshi*

Department of Chemistry, Kumaun University, Nainital, India

*Corresponding Author E-mail:- raakeshjoshi@rediffmail.com

 

ABSTRACT

The present review article is an effort to compile all the phytochemical and pharmacological investigations regarding the plant Artemisia capillaris. The plant is traditionally used to food additives and traditional medicines, particularly treatment of hepatitis, inflammation, malaria, cancer, and microbial infections. Several phytoconstituents has been isolated and identified from the different parts of the plant. A review of chemical constituents present and their pharmacological activities are given in the present article.

 

KEYWORDS: Essential oil,  Artemisia capillaris, antimicrobial activity.

 

INTRODUCTION:

Uttrakhand Himalaya is bestowed with a rich flora of aromatic plants. The climatic variations from subtropical to alpine have favored the growth of many aromatic plants. Herbal drugs are traditional method of treating the diseases in worldwide, the plant having ability to treat the diseases also known as medicinal plant. Several types of medicinal plants are breathing in the nature and effective in different type of diseases. Plants have been the target of research for a long period because of their unique properties. Due to the side effects that synthetic drugs might elicit, there is an increasing demand for traditional medicine as an alternative. Besides, bioactive components of plant extracts including different monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoid, flavonioids, fatty acids, and lignans have attracted the attention of scientists1-7. The genus Artemisia (Family: Asteraceae) is a source of valuable drugs and essential oils because of its intricate chemical composition comprising several chemotypes. Reports on chemical composition of various Artemisia species from different origins show the presence of 1, 8-cineole, a-thujone, b-thujone, chamazulene, davanone, artemisia ketone, germacrene D, β-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide 8, 9. In recent years, there has been increasing interest in healthy lifestyles and healthy aging. As a result, many people are involved in searches for natural compounds that can improve health, especially those of plant origins.

 

 

 

A great number of aromatic, spicy, medicinal, and other plants belonging to the family Asteraceae contain chemi­cal compounds exhibiting antimicrobial and antioxidant properties10. Antimicrobial and antioxidative plant oils and extracts have been used for many purposes, including raw and processed food pres­ervation, pharmaceuticals, alternative medicines, and natural therapies. Natural products are perceived as having fewer negative impacts than syn­thetic agents; natural products may be effective, selec­tive, biodegradable, and less toxic to the environment. The genus Artemisia is one of the most important gen­era in the family Asteraceae and is widespread through­out the world11. Artemisia capillaris Thunb. (Compositae) is a medicinal plant, which is distributed in worldwide. The whole part of A. capillaris has been used for the food additives and traditional medicines, particularly treatment of hepatitis, inflammation, malaria, cancer, and microbial infections 12, 13, 14.

 

1.       Geographical distribution:

A. capillaris native to, Western Asia: Afghanistan, Mongolia: Mongolia Russian Far East: Russian Federation -Far East China: China Eastern Asia: Japan; Korea; Taiwan, Indian Subcontinent: India (Uttrakhand, Jammu Kashmir) Pakistan Malaysia, Philippines.

 

2.       Taxonomy:  

Artemisia capillaris Thunb.

Genus: Artemisia

Family: Asteraceae (alt. Compositae)

Subfamily: Asteroideae

Tribe: Anthemideae

Sub tribe: Artemisiinae.

 

Photo of plant at mature stage A.capillaris

 

Common names:

Capillary artemisia  (Source: Herbs Commerce ) – English

Yin-chen wormwood (Source: Herbs Commerce)– English

Yin chen (Source: Herbs Commerce)– Transcribed Chinese

Yin chen hao (Source: Herbs Commerce)–Transcribed Chinese

Armoise capillaire  (Source: Dict Rehm ) – French

Rumput roman  (Source: Dict Rehm) – Malay

Tradmalort  (Source: Vara kulturvaxt namn ) – Swedish

 

3.       Physical Characteristics:

Artemisia capillaris is a decidious shrub growing to 0.5m by 0.5m is hardy to zone 7 and is in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by wind. The plant prefers neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. Artemisia capillaris requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate strong winds but not maritime exposure.

 

4.       Traditional Chinese Medicinal Uses:

Artemisia capillaris (Yin Chen Hao) has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for over 2,000 years and is considered to be a bitter and cooling herb, clearing "damp heat" from the liver and gall ducts and relieving fevers. Artemisia capillaris is an effective remedy for liver problems, being specifically helpful in treating hepatitis with jaundice. Modern research has confirmed that the plant has a tonic and strengthening effect upon the liver, gallbladder and digestive system. Yin Chen Hao is contraindicated for pregnant women15. The leaves and young shoots are antibacterial, anticholesterolemic, antiviral, cholagogue, diuretic, febrifuge and vasodilator16, 17. An infusion is used internally in the treatment of jaundice, hepatitis, gall bladder complaints and feverish illnesses18. Externally it has been applied in the form of a plaster for treating headaches 19.

 

5.       Presently Used as:

Healthy liver detoxification, Support gall bladder problems, Natural herbal dietary supplement

 

Artemisia capillaris - Health Support for:

Get Well Natural's Artemisia capillaris is a concentrated herbal extract that supports healthy detoxification and immune regulation. Artemisia's unique properties enhance healthy cleansing activities within the body. This vital activity is crucial for those undergoing stressful challenges of toxicity. Toxins that surround us include chemical, physical and biological substances. Detoxification is crucial in the elimination of these harmful stressors since they can lead to many types of illness or disease if not removed. Artemisia capillaris has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years as an effective herbal support for the liver. High quality herbs that support normal liver detoxification is important for a healthy liver. Normal detoxification pathways in the liver are important for anyone concerned with chemical toxicity, hepatitis, jaundice, or gall bladder dysfunction 20-24.

 

Artemisia capillaris (100 Capsules)

 

6.       Phytochemical analysis:

Previous studies showed terpenoid and acetylenic components reported in Artemisia capillaris have been identified, including p-cymene, S-phenyl-1, 3-diyne, dehydrofalcarinone and dehydrofalcarinol. The distribution of volatile components in different parts of the plant is described 25. A new flavone was isolated from Artemisia capillaris and its structure was determined by spectroscopic methods as 5, 2’,4’-trihydroxy 6,7,5’-trimethoxyflavone 26. Eight new phenylalkynes, capillaridins A-H, together with three known compounds, capillin, capillene and O-methoxycapillene, were isolated and identified from the aerial parts of Artemisia capillaris27. Two new compounds, 6′-O-caffeoyl-p-hydroxyacetophenone-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1) and 6-amino-9-[1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethyl]-9H-purine (2) were isolated from the aerial parts of Artemisia capillaris Thunb 28. The main components of A. capillaris essential oil were 1, 8-cineole (13.75%), germacrene D (10.41%), and camphor (8.57%)29. GC and GC-MS analysis of leaf and root oils of Artemisia capillaris Thunb. syn. A. scoparia Waldst. and Kit. (family:Asteraceae) showed the dominant presence of phenyl alkynes (61.2%, 85.5%), viz. capillene 60.2% and 82.9%, respectively besides 1-phenyl-penta-2,4-diyne. Besides phenyl alkynes the leaf oil contained γ-terpinene (11.1%), p-cymene (4.5%), and (E)-β-ocimene (4.4%), while the root oil showed only trace quantities of monoterpenoids30.

 

 

7.       Biological activities:

On biological studies of principles from this plant, a few coumarins have been elucidated as anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory agents 31. Isolation of many classes of biological active metabolites such as coumarins, essential oils, flavonoids, polyacetylenes, and sterol glycosides were reported to have a wide range of activities, including hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-malaria, anti-cancer, anti-viral, antifungal, anticomplementary, and interferon inducing 32 Previous reports on A. capillaris showed that it has antifungal effects33 and allelopathic effects 34 stimulates immune activi­ties in human cells, and has anticancer activity 35. The major active components of A. capillaris are scoparone and capillarisin, and the concentrations of these compounds are related to the season of harvest36. Many members of the genus Artemisia (Asteraceae) are important medicinal plants. For example, A. vulgaris (mugwort), native of Britain and Europe, has been used as a tonic, febrifuge, anthelmintic, women's menstrual troubles and infertility, anti-nervous disorders, against complaints of the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. stomach ulcers and indigestion). The essential oil shows the antimicrobial activity and contains 1,8- cineole, camphor and thujone as major constituents37. Antimicrobial activity of essential oil from A.capillaris from Uttrkhand Himalaya also reported which showed very good activity 38.

 

CONCLUSION:

Now we can conclude that Artemisia capillaris (Yin Chen Hao) has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for over 2,000 years and is considered to be a bitter and cooling herb, clearing "damp heat" from the liver and gall ducts and relieving fevers. Artemisia capillaris is an effective remedy for liver problems, being specifically helpful in treating hepatitis with jaundice. Modern research has confirmed that the plant has a tonic and strengthening effect upon the liver, gallbladder and digestive system. Yin Chen Hao is contraindicated for pregnant women. Artemisia capillaris which is used as a Artemisia Capillaris 100 capsule in China for different purposes. The previous investigation also reveals that the essential oil of Artemisia capillaris is found to be good natural antibacterial and antifungal agent. Attempts will be made in future to isolate the huge amount of oil to use commercially by growing in high altitude regions of Uttrakhand, which will increase the economy of local migratory people and check migration of peoples from hill areas to planes to search of employment.

 

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Received on 25.04.2013          Accepted on 10.06.2013        

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Asian J. Res. Pharm. Sci. 2013; Vol. 3: Issue 3, Pg 137-140