In our continuous R+D processes, Biotech Tricopharming Research, in collaboration with the National Centre for Food Technology and Safety (CNTA), has carried out an evaluation of the antioxidant therapeutic potential of Artennua®, our Artemisia annua plant optimized version, compared to other aromatic and medicinal plants (MAPs) with high antioxidant properties.
The evaluation is part of the “Validation of a production platform for biomolecules of industrial interest (BIOENHANCE)” CDTI-Cervera project for Technology Transfer and R&D, which main objective is the development and validation of a production system that enhance the production in plants of biomolecules with high therapeutic value with industrial/commercial interest.
During the analyzes, in vitro tests were conducted to determine the antioxidant potential of Artennua® leaves respect to other MAPs species with a high and proved antioxidant value, obtaining very satisfactory results which are worth noting.
Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), was determined by the UV-VIS spectroscopy technique at 515 nm after two extractions with 50% methanol/water (v/v). During our research, a comparison was made with other aromatic plant leaves such as oregano, stevia, rosemary, mint, lavender and basil, under the same protocol carried out by CNTA.
As we can see in graph 1, TAC results expressed as µmol Trolox / g, Artennua® leaves extract has a TAC much higher (447 µmol Trolox / g) than stevia (31 µmol Trolox / g), rosemary (112 µmol Trolox / g), lavender (226 µmol Trolox / g) and basil (355 µmol Trolox / g), being lower than the plant per excellence with the highest antioxidant power, oregano (766 µmol Trolox / g) and mint (645 µmol Trolox / g ).
Due to the increase in certain pathologies and the acceleration of aging in the world population, large industries have concentrated their efforts on the use of natural raw materials in order to contribute to the prevention and treatment of diseases in both humans and animals. Artemisia annua produce flavonoid and phenolic compounds that are the main responsible for the protection and limitation of the action of free radicals. These molecules include casticin, eupatorin, quercetin, ruthoxide, camphor, germacrene D, trans-pinocarveol, beta-caryophyllene, beta-selinen, artemisia ketone or caffeic acid, which are capable of preventing and retarding oxidation in the body; thus being an excellent raw material for the production and manufacturing of products with high value as an antioxidant in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, nutraceutical and veterinary industries.
Artennua®, our optimized version of Artemisia annua, has great scientific and wide therapeutic potential, not only for its higher concentration of artemisinin molecules, but also for its enriched concentration within other important secondary metabolites, among which the antioxidant flavonoids stand out. Once again, the results of a new scientific validation study demonstrate the great potential of Artennua® improved using 100% natural biotechnology; and turns our product into an excellent natural source of antioxidants, ideal for preventing diseases and disorders in our body.
