Effects of two sesquiterpene lactones isolated from Artemisia annua on physiology of Lemna minor

• Published in: Journal of chemical ecology 1994-04, Vol.20 (4), p.969-978
• Main Authors: Stiles, L.H, Leather, G.R, Chen, P.K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; ARTEMISIA; Artemisia annua; Autoecology; BIOASSAYS; Biological and medical sciences; CHEMICAL COMPOSITION; CHLOROPHYLLE; CHLOROPHYLLS; CLOROFILAS; COMPOSICION QUIMICA; COMPOSITION CHIMIQUE; CRECIMIENTO; CROISSANCE; DOSAGE BIOLOGIQUE; ENSAYO BIOLOGICO; EXTRACTOS VEGETALES; EXTRAIT D'ORIGINE VEGETALE; FOTOSINTESIS; Freshwater; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; GROWTH; LACTONAS; LACTONE; LACTONES; Lemna minor; LEMNACEAE; PHOTOSYNTHESE; PHOTOSYNTHESIS; PLANT EXTRACTS; Plants and fungi; SESQUITERPENOID LACTONES; SESQUITERPENOIDE; SESQUITERPENOIDS; SESQUITERPENOS
• ISSN: 0098-0331; 1573-1561
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02059591

The effects of artemisinin and arteannuic acid extracted from Artemisia annua on the physiology of Lemna minor were evaluated. Changes in frond production, growth, dry weight, and chlorophyll content of L. minor were determined. Photosynthesis and respiration were evaluated with a differential respirometer. Artemisinin (5 mu M) inhibited L. minor frond production and dry weight 82 and 83%, relative to methanol controls. Chlorophyll content was reduced 44% by artemisinin (2.5 mu M). Arteannuic acid (10 mu M) was less active, inhibiting frond production 61% and reducing chlorophyll content 66% at 5 mu M. Artemisinin (1 mu M) reduced L. minor photosynthesis 30% and 2.5 mu M reduced respiration 39%. Arteannuic acid had no significant effect on photosynthesis or respiration at the levels tested.