Anti-pathogenic effects of Artemisia argyi and its applications: the past, present, and future

Abstract

As a globally known medicinal and aromatic herb, Artemisia argyi (A. argyi) has excellent health benefit and economic value, especially in the field of anti-pathogenic microorganisms. At present, pathogens such as parasites, fungi, bacteria, and viruses, pose a serious threat to human health and environmentally friendly, becoming a substantial global medical burden. Researchers worldwide are focusing on developing natural antibacterial drugs. Thereinto, we collected data on the pharmacological effects of A. argyi on pathogenic microorganisms from ancient Chinese herbal texts and medical books, and the publications referring to the effects of A. argyi on bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other pathogenic microorganisms from 2005 to 2025. Simultaneously, patent searches were conducted to explore the development and utilization of the anti-pathogenic activity of A. argyi in various fields over the past 20 years. We found that A. argyi has excellent efficacy and extensive practical applications against pathogenic microorganisms. Modern studies have confirmed its inhibitory effects on common bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus; human and crop pathogenic fungi such as Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger; and viruses such as herpes zoster virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and hepatitis B virus. Moreover, the development and application of anti-pathogenic activity of A. argyi are broad. In brief, this study provides perspectives for fully utilizing the advantages of A. argyi in anti-pathogenic effect, and supporting its potential for functional product development and applications in the fields of daily health products, agriculture and the pharmaceutical industry.

Keywords

Artemisia argyi / Anti-pathogenic effect / Applications / Bacteria / Fungi / Viruses

Funding

This work was supported by the Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases-National Science and Technology Major Project (No. 2024ZD0530702), the Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province (Nos. 2025AFB820, and 2024AFD241), Hubei Provincial Science and Technology Plan Project-Major Technological Innovation (No. 2025BCA007), and Hubei Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences-Hubei Health Industry Development Research Center (No. 2025Z01).

Declaration of competing interest

These authors have no conflict of interest to declare.

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