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• Abad, M
• Bedoya, L
• Apaza, L
• Bermejo, P
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• Bedoya, L
• Apaza, L
• Bermejo, P
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• Abad, M
• Bedoya, L
• Apaza, L
• Bermejo, P

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Molecules 2012, 17(3), 2542-2566; doi:10.3390/molecules17032542

Review

The Artemisia L. Genus: A Review of Bioactive Essential Oils

María José Abad * , Luis Miguel Bedoya, Luis Apaza and Paulina Bermejo

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University Complutense, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 20 December 2011; in revised form: 27 February 2012 / Accepted: 28 February 2012 / Published: 2 March 2012

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Terpenoids)

Download PDF Full-Text [248 KB, uploaded 2 March 2012 11:14 CET]

Abstract: Numerous members of the Anthemideae tribe are important as cut flowers and ornamental crops, as well as being medicinal and aromatic plants, many of which produce essential oils used in folk and modern medicine and in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry. Essential oils generally have a broad spectrum of bioactivity, owing to the presence of several active ingredients that work through various modes of action. Due to their mode of extraction, mostly by distillation from aromatic plants, they contain a variety of volatile molecules such as terpenes, phenol-derived aromatic and aliphatic components. The large genus Artemisia L., from the tribe Anthemideae, comprises important medicinal plants which are currently the subject of phytochemical attention due to their biological and chemical diversity. Artemisia species, widespread throughout the world, are one of the most popular plants in Chinese traditional preparations and are frequently used for the treatment of diseases such as malaria, hepatitis, cancer, inflammation and infections by fungi, bacteria and viruses. Extensive studies of the chemical components of Artemisia have led to the identification of many compounds as well as essentials oils. This review summarizes some of the main reports on the chemistry and anti-infective activities of Artemisia. Li. essential oils from the data in the recent literature (2000–2011).

Keywords: Artemisia L.; essential oil; isoprenic structure; anti-infective

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