Phytochemical and Antioxidant Investigations of Artemisia vulgaris: HPLC isolation and Identification of p-Coumaric Acid, structural characterization and GC/MS Analysis of Essential oil compositions

Abstract

Background: Artemisia vulgaris (Mugwort) is a traditional medicinal plant rich in volatile constituents and phenolic compounds that contribute to its varied biological activities.

Objectives:  Currently, this work investigates the phytochemical isolation, structural identifications, and investigations of essential oil composition and antioxidant potential of Iraqi Artemisia vulgaris. Methods: The aerial parts of A. vulgaris were macerated using an Acetone: Water mixture (80:20, v/v). The isolated phenolic acid compound was identified by liquid chromatography and spectroscopy analyses. The essential oils obtained through hydrodistillation were analyzed using gas chromatography. The evaluation and investigation for antioxidant activity were achieved by assaying the radical scavenging corresponding to ascorbic acid as a reference standard.

Results: The chromatographic analysis revealed that the isolated compound matched that of p-coumaric acid. Spectral characteristics, UV and FTIR, further confirmed its structural characteristics as a hydroxycinnamic acid derivative. The GC/MS analysis of extracted volatile oil identified several major constituents, including α-thujene (21.25%), p-cymene (10.72%), γ-terpinene (8.66%), and D-limonene (5.30%). The crude extract revealed concentration-dependent antioxidant activity, reaching 70.7% radical scavenging at 200 μg/mL. Iraqi Artemisia vulgaris represents a valuable source of phenolic and terpenes compositions.

Conclusion: The successful isolation and identification of p-coumaric acid, together with the characterization of its essential oil constituents, contribute to a significant antioxidant activity, supporting the potential pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.