The present study aimed to analyze the artemisinin content in various extracts of Artemisia annua L. using a validated HPTLC densitometry method and evaluate the inhibitory activity of artemisinin against serine hydroxyl methyltransferase (SHMT) of Plasmodium falciparum using in silico approach. High performance thin layer chromatography revealed that the petroleum ether extract of A. annua had the highest artemisinin content (0.71% ± 0.02 w/w), methanol extract (0.25% ± 0.02 w/w), chloroform extract (0.14% ± 0.01 w/w), and water extract (0.06% ± 0.01 w/w). Densitometry result indicated a well-defined and symmetrical peak in the petroleum ether extract, indicating excellent separation of high-purity artemisinin. In silico study of artemisinin with SHMT enzyme portrayed an excellent binding affinity (–9.1 kcal/mol) and convenient interactions compared with control. Moreover, both artemisinin and control compound showed good absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity properties. In conclusion, the study suggested that the petroleum ether extract of A. annua is the most suitable and efficient solvent for extracting high-quantity artemisinin. The findings of the molecular docking analysis further supported the potential inhibitory activity of artemisinin against the SHTM of P. falciparum. This research contributes to the understanding of artemisinin’s antimalarial properties and optimized method of its production efficiently.
Key words: Artemisia annua L.; Artemisinin; HPTLC; Molecular docking; ADMET analysis
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