Abstract

Background: This study was designed to study the adaptation of cola herb (Artemisia abrotanum L.) for semi-arid condition of middle region of Iraq, pharmacognostical evaluation including macroscopical and microscopical characters. Furthermore, this study conducted to phytochemical investigation of this plant. Aims and Objectives: This type of Artemisia was introduced recently to Iraq for ornamental purposes without any study about adaptation this plant for environmental conditions of semi-arid of Iraq and no studies about active compounds and pharmacognostical characters of this plant, therefore, this study conducted to agriculture and investigation of active compounds of this plant.
Materials and Methods: The methods of this study were included plantation of herb cola at medicinal plants garden of College of Pharmacy of Al-Mustansiriya University in Baghdad. Active compounds of the leaves of this plant were investigation using different reagents and the essential oil was extracted by clevenger with analysis by gas liquid chromatography.
Results: The results were referred to good adaptation of this plant for semi-arid conditions of middle region of Iraq because this plant has different morphological characteristics prevent water losing from leaves surface. Furthermore, the results were referred to this plant have different active compounds such as saponin, tannin, coumarin, and flavonoids. The volatile oil study was referred to 2-4% of volatile of plant leaves, and the most important compounds of this volatile oil were soloinene, limonene, myrecen, camphene, thusene, α-pinene, and others. Conclusion: The results were gave the best indication for the possibility of this plant to grow and more distributed under Iraq conditions and need more chemical and clinical studies of active compounds with open field experiments or trails to improve quality and quantity of volatile oil.