1PhD Scholar, Graphic Era University, Dehradun
2Asstt. Prof., Graphic Era University, Dehradun
3Asstt. Prof., M.B.G.E., C.B.S.H, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand
4Assoc. Prof., In-charge, Animal Biotechnology Lab., V.P.B., C.V.A.Sc, G. B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand
Online published on 19 December, 2013.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about three-quarters of the world population relies upon traditional remedies (mainly herbs) for health care. Artemisia is one of the diverse genera of Asteraceae family with many important medicinally valuable essential oils and secondary metabolites. The genus Artemisia popularly known as “Sage Brush” or “Worm wood”, is bitter aromatics, wind pollinated and composed of small herbs and shrubs, contains more than 400 species and most of its known species are found predominantly in Asia, Europe and North America. Artemisia is widely distributed in the northern hemisphere with two of its main speciation centers present in western and central Asia and a few of its representatives present in the southern hemisphere. In India 32 species are distributed in different parts, especially Himalaya. Some species are reported to be confined to the high altitudinal regions of cold deserts of India. Most of the species of genus Artemisia are used as a food, forage, medicines, soil stabilizers, and for ornamental purposes. According to the literature, members of the Asteraceae family produce a large number of various secondary metabolites, viz. monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, coumarins and flavonoids, responsible for diverse biological activities. Among them, sesquiterpene lactones and flavonoids are the most interesting ones from the pharmacological point of view. These substances are known for their reported medical efficacy e.g. strong anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antioxidant, antitumor activity, as well as for the fact that they increase immunity and decrease the risk of atherosclerosis, arthritis and gastrointestinal disorders. Genus Artemisia has immense potential to be a candidate for immunomodulatory studies.
