Jusan (Artemisia L.) in the flora of Kazakhstan: a brief overview of its botanical characteristics, biologically active compounds and medical significance

The genus Artemisia L. (Asteraceae), commonly known as jusan, represents one of the most taxonomically diverse and pharmacologically significant groups of medicinal plants, widely distributed across arid and semi-arid regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Kazakhstan is a major center of diversity for Artemisia, where numerous species play essential ecological, ethnobotanical, and medicinal roles. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the botanical characteristics, phytochemical composition, and pharmacological potential of Artemisia species occurring in the flora of Kazakhstan, with particular emphasis on A. absinthium, A. terrae-albae, A. cina, A. pauciflora, A. vulgaris, and A. schrenkiana. The genus is characterized by a rich spectrum of biologically active compounds, including essential oils, sesquiterpene lactones (notably artemisinin and santonin), flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins, saponins, amino acids, vitamins, and mineral elements. These constituents underpin a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, and anticancer effects.