Phytochemical Study on the Petroleum Ether Extract of Artemisia ciniformis

Background and objectives: Artemisia ciniformis grows in three countries including Iran. Limited phytochemical studies have been conducted on this species. The petroleum ether extract of A. ciniformis was previously reported as the most potent sample in the cytotoxic and antifungal assays. The current phytochemical study was conducted on this extract. Methods: Vacuum-liquid chromatography (VLC) and semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to isolate phytochemicals in the petroleum ether extract. The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were established through mass spectrometry and 1D, and 2D NMR. The obtained spectroscopic data for the isolated compounds were compared with previously reported values in the literature. Results: An acetophenone derivative (xanthoxylin) and a terpenoid (the hemiketal derivative of hydroxydavanone) were identified in two different fractions of the petroleum ether extract. In addition, another terpenoid was obtained in small amounts, and its structure was tentatively assigned as hexahydrofarnesyl acetone. Conclusion: The petroleum ether extract of A. ciniformis is a new source of davanone-type sesquiterpenoids, and acetophenones. The cytotoxic and antifungal activities of davanone derivatives and antifungal effect of xanthoxylin have been previously reported. Results of the current study align with the reported bioactivities of this plant extract.