Plantes et dragons

Cet article a pour objectif de démontrer comment les caractéristiques formant l’image du dragon sont employées pour la nomination et la définition des plantes. Pour ce faire, les outils méthodologiques des sciences de l’imaginaire, de la littérature et de la linguistique sont requis. Dans un premier temps, l’article développe l’étude de l’étymologie latine du nom dragon et de ses dérivés, signalant des liens persistants entre l’image de l’animal mythique et celle de certaines plantes. Ensuite, l’article étudie les noms français et botaniques de plantes évoquant l’imaginaire du dragon telles que la serpentaire, Dracunculus vulgaris Schott, l’estragon, Artemisia dracunculus L. et le dragonnier, représentant des arbres du genre des Dracaena Vand. ex L.

The content of macro- and microelements in plants of the genus Artemisia under conditions of introduction in the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the NAS of Ukraine

Purpose. To determine mineral composition of plants of species of the genus Artemisia (A. dracunculus L., A. abrotanum L. and A. argyi H.Lév. & Vaniot) to determine the possibility of their safe use in the food and pharmaceutical industries of Ukraine. Methods. X‑ray fluorescence method for determining the elemental composition of plant raw materials. Results. The content of mineral elements in plants of the genus Artemisia was determined depending on their ability to absorb elements from the soil and accumulate in the roots and organs of the aerial part was determined. The quantitative content of 21 macro- and microelements was established, and some peculiarities of their migration and distribution in the soil – roots – plant system were revealed. In particular, the aerial part of the studied plants contains K, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn, which are the most important elements in the life of the plant organism. The content of mesoelements Ca and S is quite high. The amount of toxic elements Pb, Sr and Zr in plants is insignificant. Elements K and S accumulate in the aerial part. The content of elements in the aerial part of plants by decreasing their concentration can be represented in the form of the following series: for Artemisia dracunculus – S> K> Ca> Cl> Fe> Sr> Zn> Mn> Cu> Zr> Rb> Br> Cr; for A. abrotanum – K> Ca> S> Cl> Fe> Zn> Sr> Mn> Cu> Br> Cr> Co> Zr> Rb> Ni; for A. argyi – K> Ca> S> Fe> Cl> Sr> Zn> Mn> Co> Zr> Cu> Rb> Br> Se. The content of toxic elements in the studied plants was lower than the maximum allowable concentrations for plant raw materials and food. Conclusions. For the first time under conditions of introduction in the M. M. Gryshko National Botanical Garden of the NAS of Ukraine in the plants Artemisia dracunculus, A. abrotanum and A. argyi the content of macro- and microelements, which are directly related to the metabolism of biologically active compounds, was determined. The peculiarities of their distribution by plant organs during the transition from soil to aboveground mass have been clarified. The obtained results can be used to evaluate and compare the quality of plant raw materials of the genus Artemisia, to determine the pharmacological properties of these plants associated with some elements of the mineral composition, and their use in the medical and food industries. The obtained data have both scientific and practical significance in the selection of economically valuable plant species for the enrichment of the cultivated flora of Ukraine.

Artemisia dracunculus (Tarragon): A Review of Its Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

Artemisia dracunculus L. (tarragon), Asteraceae, is a species that has long been used in traditional Asian medicine, mainly in Iran, Pakistan, Azerbaijan and India. It is known as a spice species in Asia, Europe and the Americas. The raw materials obtained from this species are herb and leaf. The presence of essential oil with a highly variable composition, as well as flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins and alkamides, determines the medicinal and/or spice properties of the plant. In traditional Asian medicine, this species is used, for example, in the treatment of digestive system diseases, as an analgesic, hypnotic, antiepileptic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent, and as an effective remedy in the treatment of helminthiasis. Nowadays, A. dracunculus is the subject of professional phytochemical and pharmacological researches. Pharmacological studies have confirmed its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects known from traditional uses; they have also proved very important new findings regarding its biological activity, such as antioxidant, immunomodulating and anti-tumour activities, as well as hepatoprotective and hypoglycaemic effects. A. dracunculus has long-held an established position in the food industry as a spice. And its use is growing in the cosmetics industry. Moreover, it is the subject of biotechnological research focused mainly on the development of micro-propagation protocols.