Inhibition of Neutrophil Functions and Antibacterial Effects of Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculusL.) Infusion-Phytochemical Characterization

The aim of the study was to characterize phytochemicals in an infusion of the aerial parts of tarragon(Artemisia dracunculusL.) using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detector electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS method, as well as an evaluation of its effects on mediators of the inflammation in anin vitromodel of human neutrophils, and antimicrobial activity on selected pathogens. Flavonoids and caffeoylquinic acids were the main phenolic components of the extract of tarragon's aerial parts. The infusion was able to inhibit reactive oxygen species (ROS), interleukin 8 (IL-8), and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) production. The antimicrobial assay was performed with the use of nine strains of bacteria, both Gram-negative and Gram-positive. Three human pathogens,Staphylococcus aureusATCC6538,Staphylococcus epidermidisATCC14990, andStaphylococcus aureusMRSA (methicyllin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus) ATCC43300, proved to be the most sensitive to tarragon infusion. Our study demonstrated the antiinflammatory and antimicrobial properties of tarragon(Artemisia dracunculusL.), meaning the common spice may be a prospective source of health-promoting constituents.