In vitro evaluation of the potential antibacterial effect of artemisinin on Campylobacter jejuni

Artemisinin, an extract of sesquiterpene lactone endoperoxide obtained from Artemisia annua, is routinely used in the treatment of malaria and various forms of human cancer. In order to extend / establish the therapeutic range on animals, in the context of restrictions imposed by organic agriculture and bacterial antibioresistance with a high impact in cases of food toxi-infections in humans, Artemisinin was evaluated in this study for a potential antibacterial effect against Campylobacter jejuni 81-176. The experiments were carried out by disc diffusion technique on Mueller Hinton agar supplemented with 5% sheep blood and microdilution assay in Mueller Hinton broth supplemented with 5% fetal bovine serum, on cultures obtained in microaerophilic conditions. The four concentrations of Artemisinin tested by disk diffusion, 10 μg, 20 μg, 40 μg and 80 μg showed an antibacterial effect on Campylobacter jejuni. The inhibition diameters were of 24-41 mm, with lower values for the solution made in DMSO. The minimum inhibitory concentrations ranged between 156.25 ng / ml and 312.5 ng / ml for Artemisinin solution in DMSO and between 39.0 ng / ml and 78,125 ng / ml for Artemisinin in DMF.