Extraction Yield, Phytochemicals Analysis and Certain In-Vitro Biological Activities of Artemisia herba alba Extracts

The objectives of this study were to determine the extraction yield and phytochemical composition of different Artemisia herba-alba (AHA) extracts, as well as to investigate in-vitro their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-glycation, and antibacterial activities. Four solvents with different polarities were used to prepare AHA extracts. The extraction yield was determined using the gravimetric method. The qualitative analysis was performed using the standard methods. The quantitative analysis, the antioxidant, and the anti-inflammatory activities were estimated using the colorimetric method. The anti-glycation activity was measured using the spectrofluorimetric method. The antibacterial activity was performed using an agar diffusion method. Our findings showed that 80% aqueous ethanolic extract significantly (p ≤ 0.05) compared to other extracts exhibited high extraction yield (15.3%), high phytochemical content (263.93±2.46 mg GAE/g E for total phenols), (40.94±1.45 mg QE /g E for total flavonoids), and (35.99±1.20 mg GAE/g E for total tannins), better Diphenyl-2-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity (IC50 = 4.13±0.02 mg/mL) with no significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) when compared to methanolic extract, as well as high anti-glycation activity (IC50 = 3.96±0.09 mg/mL). The methanolic extract had a significant inhibitory effect against the majority of the tested bacteria ccompared to other extracts. The anti-inflammatory potential of distilled water extract was significantly (p ≤0.05) higher (IC50 = 2.96±0.06 mg/mL) compared to the rest yet failed to show any antimicrobial activity against all assayed bacteria. In summary, the solvent type had a significant effect on the chemical and biological characteristics of AHA. The diversity and significance of Artemisia herba-alba’s biological activities demonstrate its potential application within the pharmaceutical and food areas.