Chemical Composition and Some Biological Activities of Artemisia marschalliana Essential Oil

Background and objectives: The aerial parts of Artemisia marschalliana Sprengel as an indigenous species of genus Artemisia in the East Azerbaijan province of Iran, was subjected to phytochemical analysis, as well as anti-proliferative, free-radical-scavenging and anti-malarial activities. Methods: The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of A. marschalliana 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 beta-hematin formation assays, respectively. Results: 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. Conclusion: These findings will be beneficial for the further development of new chemotherapeutic or antimalarial agents.