Comparative in vitro evaluation of antimicrobial potential of ethanolic leaf extracts from different Artemisia species against infection-causing pathogens

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)