Exploring isolation protocols for artemisinin and other bioactive compounds from the algerian Artemisia campestris

Artemisia campestris is a plant species widely used in Algeria since time immemorial as a food spice and natural drug. Thus, here, the impact of several solvents and extraction techniques was investigated, to find the best way for isolating phytochemicals with potential beneficial effects on human health from the aerial portions of Algerian A. campestris. Secondary metabolites were quantified in the various extracts, together with their antioxidant effect and antimicrobial power. The combined application of ultrasound (at 130 kHz) and maceration on delipidated plant material showed the best yield (12.36%) and a high content in phenols, flavonoids and flavonols. On the contrary, a weaker sonication promoted the isolation of condensed tannins, probably due to its capacity to preserve their chemical structure. The extracts revealed a good antiradical property, inversely correlated to their content of tannins. About the antimicrobial potential, they all exerted significant activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Finally, chromatographic analyses demonstrated that A. campestris is one of the richest sources (about 3%) of artemisinin, the best antimalarial natural drug, but also of other nutraceutics, valorizing this folk medicinal plant with an elevated healthy potential.