The potential of Artemisia annua L. as a locally produced remedy for malaria in the tropics: agricultural, chemical and clinical aspects

Authors Mueller, MS; Karhagomba, IB; Hirt, HM; Wemakor, E

Journal JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY , ,:

Abstract The plant Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae) is listed in the Chinese pharmacopoeia as a remedy for various fevers including malaria, and contains the well-established antimalarial compound artemisinin. In this study, a hybrid form of A. annua was successfully cultivated in Central Africa. The aerial parts of the plant contained 0.63-0.70% artemisinin per dry weight, and approximately 40% of this artemisinin could be extracted by simple tea preparation methods. Five malaria patients who were treated with A. annua tea showed a rapid disappearance of parasitaemia within 2-4 days. An additional trial with 48 malaria patients showed a disappearance of parasitaemia in 44 patients (92%) within 4 days. Both trials showed a marked improvement of symptoms. In our opinion, these results justify further examinations of the antimalarial effect of A. annua preparations. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Species covered 黄花蒿 Artemisia annua