Plant growth regulatory activities of artemisinin and its related compounds

Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone produced in the leaves ofArtemisia annua, was evaluated for its phytotoxicity in mono- and dicotyledonous plants. Artemisinin inhibited seed germination, seedling growth, and root induction in all species tested. The concentration of artemisinin required for 50% inhibition ofLemna minor growth was 5 μM. Inhibitory plant responses appeared to require the endoperoxide moiety of this compound since similar chemicals without endoperoxide, deoxyartemisinin, arteannuic acid, and arteannuin B, were less phytotoxic. InL. minor, artemisinin and arteannuic acid caused the leakage of proteins into the growth medium, suggesting the site of activity was at the plant cell membrane.