Artemisia annua Growing Wild in Romania—A Metabolite Profile Approach to Target a Drug Delivery System Based on Magnetite Nanoparticles

Abstract

The metabolites profile of a plant is greatly influenced by geographical factors and the ecological environment. Various studies focused on artemisinin and its derivates for their antiparasitic and antitumoral effects. However, after the isolation and purification stage, their pharmaceutical potential is limited due to their low bioavailability, permeability and lifetime. The antibacterial activity of essential oils has been another topic of interest for many studies on this plant. Nevertheless, only a few studies investigate other metabolites in Artemisia annua. Considering that secondary metabolites act synergistically in a plant, the existence of other metabolites with antitumor and high immunomodulating activity is even more important. Novel nano-carrier systems obtained by loading herbs into magnetic nanoparticles ensures the increase in the antitumor effect, but also, overcoming the barriers related to permeability, localization. This study reported the first complete metabolic profile from wild grown Romanian Artemisia annua. A total of 103 metabolites were identified under mass spectra (MS) positive mode from 13 secondary metabolite categories: amino acids, terpenoids, steroids, coumarins, flavonoids, organic acids, fatty acids, phenolic acids, carbohydrates, glycosides, aldehydes, hydrocarbons, etc. In addition, the biological activity of each class of metabolites was discussed. We further developed a simple and inexpensive nano-carrier system with the intention to capitalize on the beneficial properties of both components. Evaluation of the nano-carrier system’s morpho-structural and magnetic properties was performed.

Romanian Viscum album L.—Untargeted Low-Molecular Metabolomic Approach to Engineered Viscum–AuNPs Carrier Assembly

“…The spectra of nanoparticle carrier assembly ( Figure 3 a) show the characteristic absorption bands of the viscum sample as well as the AuNPs coated with a surfactant (trisodium citrate) ( Figure 3 a,b). In addition, the peaks at 1622, 1371, 1258, 1114, and 660 cm −1 were found in the synthesized AuNP solution ( Figure 3 a) and are shifted to higher wavenumbers (1641, 1382, 1267, 1153 and 671 cm −1 ), indicating binding of nanoparticles to the functional groups O–H, C=O, C–N, C–S, and C–O belonging to the various phytoconstituents ( Figure 3 a,b and Table 3 ) [ 79 , 80 , 81 , 82 , 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 ]. In particular, the hydroxyl group is considered to be involved in the binding of AuNPs [ 85 , 86 , 87 , 88 , 89 , 90 , 91 , 92 , 93 , 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , 98 ].…”

“…In addition, the peaks at 1622, 1371, 1258, 1114, and 660 cm −1 were found in the synthesized AuNP solution (Figure 3a) and are shifted to higher wavenumbers (1641, 1382, 1267, 1153 and 671 cm −1 ), indicating binding of nanoparticles to the functional groups O-H, C=O, C-N, C-S, and C-O belonging to the various phytoconstituents (Figure 3a,b and Table 3) [79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91]. In particular, the hydroxyl group is considered to be involved in the binding of AuNPs [85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95][96][97][98]. 3) [79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91].…”

“…In particular, the hydroxyl group is considered to be involved in the binding of AuNPs [85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95][96][97][98]. 3) [79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91]. In particular, the hydroxyl group is considered to be involved in the binding of AuNPs [85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95][96][97][98].…”

“…3) [79][80][81][82][83][84][85][86][87][88][89][90][91]. In particular, the hydroxyl group is considered to be involved in the binding of AuNPs [85][86][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94][95][96][97][98]. Figure 4a shows the specific XRD spectrum of AuNPs.…”

New Insights into the Research of Bioactive Compounds from Plant Origins with Nutraceutical and Pharmaceutical Potential

“…Additionally, the evaluation of the changes in the biofilm structure of microorganisms on glass and wood surfaces, such as Salmonella enteritidis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas expansum, and Pseudomonas chrysogenum , were performed using MALDI-TOF MS. Due to the properties of the tested T. vulgaris Syzygium aromaticum L. essential oils, they can be used in the food industry as natural supplements to extend the shelf life of the foods. One study describes the metabolite profile of Artemisia annua L. [ 7 ], which was grown wild in Romania for the first time. Subsequently, a simple and inexpensive nanocarrier system was developed that capitalizes on the therapeutic properties of both the whole plant and magnetic Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles.…”