Download PDF
Planta Med 1994; 60(3): 272-275
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-959474
Paper

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Artemisinin, Related Sesquiterpenes, and Essential Oil in Artemisia annua During a Vegetation Period in Vietnam

Herman J. Woerdenbag1 , Niesko Pras1 , Nguyen Gia Chan2 , Bui Thi Bang2 , Rein Bos1 , Wim van Uden1 , Pham Van Y2 , Nguyen Van Boi2 , Sieb Batterman1 , Charles B. Lugt3
  • 1Department of Pharmacential Biology, University Centre for Pharmacy, University of Groningen, A. Deusinglaan 2, NL-9713 AW Groningen, The Netherlands
  • 2Institute of Materia Medica, 3B Quang Trung, Hanoi, Vietnam
  • 3ACF Beheer BV, P.O. Box 5, NL-3600 AA Maarssen, The Netherlands
Further Information

Publication History

1993

1993

Publication Date:
04 January 2007 (online)

  PDF Download  Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The active principle of Artemisia annua L., artemisinin, is currently being developed to a registered antimalarial drug. For production purposes, plants with a high artemisinin content are required. We followed the development of the artemisinin content and of the biosynthetically related sesquiterpenes artemisinic acid, arteannuin B, and artemisitene in A. annua plants, during a vegetation period in Vietnam, where this species is indigenous. In addition, the essential oil content and composition were studied. Samples of leaves, buds, flowers, or post-bloom flowers and fruits were taken at different stages: vegetative (5, 6, and 8 months old), at mass formation of buds (9 months), at full bloom (10 months), and post-bloom (10œ months). The highest artemisinin content (0.86% dry wt) was present in the leaves of 5 months-old plants. At this stage also the highest leaf yield was found. Subsequently, the artemisinin content gradually dropped. At the age of 5 months the highest artemisinic acid and arteannuin B contents, 0.16 and 0.08% dry wt, respectively, were found as well. Artemisitene was present at all stages of development, ranging from 0.002 to 0.09% dry wt. With 1.9% v/w, the essential oil content was maximal just before flowering and was composed of 55% monoterpenes and 45% sesquiterpenes. At all other stages (0.4 - 1.0% v/w oil) this ratio was ca. 30%/70%. The main components of the oil were camphor and germacrene-D.

Key words

Artemisia annua L. - Asteraceae - artemisinin - contents - essential oil - sesquiterpenes - vegetation period

      >