Essential Oil from the Aerial Parts of Artemisia serotina Bunge (Winter Wormwood) Growing in Kazakhstan-Phytochemical Profile and Bioactivity

Arshyn Kadyrbay ¹, Liliya N Ibragimova ², Magdalena Iwan ³

¹School of Pharmacy, Asfendiarov Kazakh National Medical University, Tole-bi Str. 94, Almaty 000050, Kazakhstan.
²Pharmacy and Pharmacology Center, Asfendiarov Kazakh National Medical University, Tole-bi Str. 94, Almaty 000050, Kazakhstan.
³Department of Toxicology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 6 Str., 20-093 Lublin, Poland.
⁴Department of Pharmacognosy with the Medicinal Plant Garden, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 1 Str., 20-093 Lublin, Poland.
⁵Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 1 Str., 20-093 Lublin, Poland.
⁶Department of Virology with Viral Diagnostics Laboratory, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 1 Str., 20-093 Lublin, Poland.
⁷Independent Medical Biology Unit, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8b Str., 20-090 Lublin, Poland.
⁸Department of Biotechnology and General Chemical Engineering, Asfendiarov Kazakh National Medical University, Tole-bi Str. 94, Almaty 000050, Kazakhstan.
⁹Department of Engineering Disciplines and Good Practices, Asfendiarov Kazakh National Medical University, Tole-bi Str. 94, Almaty 000050, Kazakhstan.
¹⁰Department of Comprehensive Paediatric and Adult Dentistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 6 Str., 20-093 Lublin, Poland.

⁰School of Pharmacy, Asfendiarov Kazakh National Medical University, Tole-bi Str. 94, Almaty 000050, Kazakhstan.

Molecules (basel, Switzerland) +

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July 30, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

The essential oil from Artemisia serotina (ASEO) growing in Kazakhstan contains unique monoterpenes. This study reveals ASEO

Area Of Science

Phytochemistry and ethnopharmacology
Natural product chemistry
Medicinal botany

Background

Artemisia serotina Bunge is an endemic species in Central Asia with limited documented phytochemical and biological data.
Essential oils from Artemisia species are known for diverse biological activities.

Purpose Of The Study

To analyze the chemical composition of essential oil from Artemisia serotina (ASEO) from south Kazakhstan.
To evaluate the antimicrobial, antiviral, and anticancer activities of ASEO.

Main Methods

Essential oil isolation via hydrodistillation.
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) for chemical analysis.
Microbiological assays for antimicrobial activity (MIC determination).
Cell-based assays for antiviral and anticancer activity (cytotoxicity, cell cycle, thiol levels, vitality).

Main Results

ASEO chemical composition is characterized by irregular monoterpenes, with santolina alcohol as the major compound (34.6%).
ASEO demonstrated significant antifungal activity against Candida albicans (MIC = 2 mg/mL) and moderate antibacterial activity (MIC = 4-16 mg/mL).
No significant antiviral activity was observed, but a reduction in cytopathic effects for Human Herpesvirus type 1 was noted. The breast cancer T47-D cell line showed the highest sensitivity to ASEO (IC50 ≈ 33-41 µg/mL).

Conclusions

Artemisia serotina from south Kazakhstan represents a new chemotype with a unique essential oil composition.
ASEO exhibits promising antifungal and anticancer properties, warranting further investigation for therapeutic potential.
The anticancer effects may involve cytostatic induction and disruption of intracellular redox balance.

Keywords:

Artemisia serotina Bunge Candida albicans Central Asia anticancer activity antifungal activity breast carcinoma irregular monoterpenes new chemotype santolina alcohol