Essential Oil of Artemisia annua L.: An Extraordinary Component with Numerous Antimicrobial Properties

摘要: Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae) is native to China, now naturalised in many other countries, well known as the source of unique sesquiterpene endoperoxide lactone artemisinin, and used treatment chloroquine-resistant cerebral malaria. The essential oil rich mono- sesquiterpenes represents a by-product with medicinal properties. Besides significant variations its percentage composition have been reported (major constituents can be camphor (up 48%), germacrene D 18.9%), artemisia ketone 68%), 1,8 cineole 51.5%)), has subjected numerous studies supporting exciting antibacterial antifungal activities. Both gram-positive bacteria (Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Listeria spp.), gram-negative (Escherichia, Shigella, Salmonella, Haemophilus, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas spp.) microorganisms (Candida, Saccharomyces, Aspergillus investigated. However, experimental performed date different methods diverse microorganisms; consequence, comparative analysis on quantitative basis very difficult. aim this review sum up data antimicrobial activity A. major components facilitate future approach microbiological field.