ASTERACEAE

Artemisia annua (Asteraceae), commonly known as sweet wormwood, has been widely used in traditional medicine for treating fevers, malaria, and various infections. While it’s active component, artemisinin, is well known for its antimalarial properties, recent studies have suggested that other bioactive compounds in A. annua may also exhibit significant antimicrobial activity. However, the antimicrobial potential of A. annua leaf extract, particularly against multidrug-resistant bacteria, remains underexplored. This study was therefore designed to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of A. annua leaves and identify constituents with potential antimicrobial activity. The research involved the collection and authentication of A. annua leaves, extraction and fractionation using organic solvents of varying polarity (n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol), acute toxicity screening and antimicrobial testing against selected bacterial strains. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) were employed to identify bioactive compounds in the most active fractions. The results showed that the ethyl acetate fraction exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity, with significant inhibitory effects on a broad spectrum of bacteria. Key bioactive compounds
identified include scopoletin, deoxyqinghaosu, naringenin, kaempferol, and sapogenin. Acute toxicity studies revealed a high safety margin for A. annua extract. These findings highlight A. annua’s potential as a natural antimicrobial agent, offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to synthetic antibiotics, particularly in resource-limited settings.