Danova K., Trendafilova A., Motyka V., Dobrev P., Ivanova V., Todorova M.
ECOLOGIA BALKANICA 3: 257-273, 2020

Keywords: Artemisia genus, Artemisia alba Turra in vitro, essential oils, phenolic and flavonoid compounds, endogenous cytokinins
Abstract: Genus Artemisia is one of the largest in the Asteraceae family, consisting of ca. 500 representatives, known under the common names “mugwort”, “wormwood” and “sagebrush”. Traditionally many Artemisia species have been utilized as spices, aromatic agents, as well as for their medicinal and ornamental properties. The present review presents a summary of the pharmacological activity, based on secondary metabolites identified in different representatives of the Artemisia genus. The effect of plant extraction on the type of biologically active compounds has also been discussed. Special accent has been given to distribution of Artemisia species throughout Southeast Europe and essential oil bearing of A. alba Turra which is also characteristic for the flora of Bulgaria. Experience of our team on A. alba Turra as a model system for biotechnological development of different classes of secondary metabolites has been summarized. The established flexibility of plant secondary metabolism in relation to morphogenesis in this species might serve as a useful tool for obtaining plant material with desired secondary metabolite profile through modeling plant growth, development and morphogenesis and without the use of genetic modifications in vitro.
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IEB authors: Petre I. Dobrev, Václav Motyka