The Artemisia genus: Panacea to several maladies

Abstract

The genus Artemisia belongs to the family Asteraceae which has now become the subject of great attraction because of its rich species diversity and phytochemical composition. This genus has a very long history of use in the treatment of human diseases in different parts of the world. This medicinally important genus has promising therapeutic potential which includes antimalarial, anti-parasitic, hepato-protective, anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcerogenic, antimicrobial, antitumour, antioxidant, anticancer, anticonvulsant, anti-leishmanial, anti-diabetic, anti-promastigote, antidepressant and anticonvulsant. A total of 839 chemical compounds (volatile and non-volatile) have been reported in different species of this genus. These chemical compounds can be categorised into major classes such as flavonoids, lignans, terpenes, fatty acids, phenylpropanoids, sterols, fatty esters, phenolics, hydrocarbons and miscellaneous compounds. Strategic conservation of Artemisia species shall continue to provide molecules of pharmaceutical importance in future.