Microscopical and Phytochemical Investigation of Egyptian Artemisia judaica l. Var. Sinaitica tackholm and its Free Radical Scavenging Activity

Artemisia judaica L. (Asteraceae) is a perennial fragrant small shrub widely growing in desert and coast of Egypt. Microscopical features of the leaves were characterized by the presence of non glandular T-shaped trichomes beside the tube like secretory duct responsible for oil production and storage. Phenolic and flavonoid contents were estimated using colorimetric assays where ethyl acetate had the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents. Orientin was the major identified flavonoid. Radical scavenging activity was estimated using DPPH assay where butanol extract showed the highest potency compared with ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxyanisol. A. judaica represents a future antioxidant candidate from natural source.