Journal of Plant Production and Sustainability DOI: https://doi.org/10.63072/jpps.25010 Volume 1, Issue 2, 2025, Pages 38-49 ISSN: 3135-7423 (Online) https://jplantps.org/ RESEARCH PAPER
Comparative in vitro evaluation of antimicrobial potential of ethanolic leaf extracts from different Artemisia species against infection-causing pathogens Hina Fazal1, Iram Fatima1, Gohar Rahman1, Abdul Haq1, Nisar Ahmad2*, Arshad Iqbal2 and Mohammad Ali2 1
Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) Laboratories Complex, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan Center for Biotechnology and Microbiology, University of Swat, Swat-19200, Pakistan
2
*Correspondence author’s email: ahmadn@uswat.edu.pk Abstract Artemisia species are commonly administered in polyherbal drugs to treat various infectious diseases. The main component of Artemisia species is artemisinin that showed a multi-dimensional biological activity. Focusing on the therapeutic potential, the aim of this study was to provide scientific evidence for the antimicrobial activity of six Artemisia species viz. Artemisia scoparia, Artemisia persica, Artemisia arborescens, Artemisia absinthium, Artemisia vulgaris and Artemisia nilagirica. Leaf extracts were prepared using ethanol and then antimicrobial assay was performed following agar well diffusion method. Eight bacterial strains were grown on nutrient agar, however, C. albicans was grown in potato dextrose agar (PDA) followed by required incubation. Azithromycin, Ciprofloxacin and Clotrimazole were used as standard antibiotics for antimicrobial activity. Results revealed that all six Artemisia leaf extracts exhibited measurable antimicrobial activity, though with varying potency across
species. A. persica showed the strongest and broadest activity, producing the largest inhibition zones (up to 20.5 mm), particularly against E. coli, B. subtilis, K. pneumoniae, and S. mutans. A. scoparia and A. arborescens also demonstrated broad-spectrum inhibition, with moderate activity across all tested strains. A. absinthium and A. vulgaris displayed comparatively lower but consistent antimicrobial effects, with the greatest activity observed against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, respectively. A. nilagirica exhibited selective activity, showing strong inhibition of S. aureus (17 mm) but no effect on P. aeruginosa, S. typhi, or C. albicans. Overall, the findings indicate that Artemisia species possess varying degrees of antimicrobial potential, with A. persica emerging as the most effective across the tested microorganisms. Hence, it can be concluded that the selected species can be used as a potential source of antimicrobial agents in food and pharmaceutical industries. © 2025 The Author(s) Keywords: Agar-well diffusion assay, Antimicrobial, Artemisia, Bacteria, K. pneumonia, Medicinal plants, S. mutans
Citation: Fazal, H., Fatima, I., Rahman, G., Haq, A., Ahmad, N., Iqbal, A., & Ali, M. (2025). Comparative in vitro evaluation of antimicrobial potential of ethanolic leaf extracts from different Artemisia species against infection-causing pathogens. Journal of Plant Production and Sustainability, 1(2), 38–49. https://doi.org/10.63072/jpps.25010
Introduction Plants have long been recognized as valuable sources of novel therapeutic compounds and have played a crucial role in traditional medicine systems (Parameswari et al., 2019; Khan et al., 2020). Bioactive plant-derived compounds exhibit significant antimicrobial and antitoxin properties, making them reliable candidates for use as antiinfective agents or as adjuncts to conventional therapies (Blaszyle & Holley, 1998). Nonetheless, it is essential to thoroughly investigate the pharmacological properties of these natural mixtures to understand their effects on biological systems (Viegas & Bolzani, 2006; Ushimaru et al., 2007). It is estimated that around 80% of the world’s medicines are derived from plant-based bioactive components (Owolabi et al., 2007). Due to their therapeutic potential, medicinal plants continue to attract considerable interest in modern pharmacological research
and drug discovery (Butler, 2004). Their use offers several advantages over synthetic drugs, particularly in addressing multi-drug resistance and minimizing adverse side effects, as herbal remedies are generally regarded as safer and less toxic alternatives (Keshebo et al., 2016; Nisar et al., 2017). Bacterial infections remain among the leading causes of mortality worldwide (Wu et al., 2022). Antibiotic therapy has long been a cornerstone of treatment; however, the misuse and overuse of antibiotics have accelerated the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial strains (Prestinaci et al., 2015; Crits-Christoph et al., 2022). As a result, many conventional antibiotics and traditional treatments are becoming increasingly ineffective (Styers et al., 2006). Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has therefore evolved into a serious global public health concern (Dupuis et al., 2022). It is projected that by 2050, infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens could be responsible for approximately 10 million deaths annually, posing not only a health crisis but also a