Randomized controlled trial of a traditional preparation of Artemisia annua L. (Annual Wormwood) in the treatment of malaria.
The Chinese medicinal plant Artemisia annua L. (Annual Wormwood) contains the antimalarial compound artemisinin. The locally grown herb may offer an additional tool for the control of malaria, especially in poor countries where modern antimalarial drugs are often unavailable. In an open, randomized, controlled pilot trial, we investigated the efficacy and safety of traditional tea preparations of Artemisia annua in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria. Treatment resulted in a quick resolution of parasitaemia and of clinical symptoms. After 7 d of medication, cure rates were on average 74% for the Artemisia preparations compared with 91% for quinine. However, recrudescence rates were high in the Artemisia groups. Therefore, monotherapy with Artemisia annua L. cannot be recommended as alternative to modern antimalarials, but may deserve further investigation.
Mueller
Markus S
MS
German Institute for Medical Mission, P.O. Box 1307, 72003 Tübingen, Germany. heide@uni-tuebingen.de
Runyambo
Nyabuhanga
N
Wagner
Irmela
I
Borrmann
Steffen
S
Dietz
Klaus
K
Heide
Lutz
L
D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D031172:Artemisia annua; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000188:drug therapy; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011803:Quinine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000962:Antimalarials; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D011803:Quinine