Argemone mexicana decoction for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria.
A prospective, dose-escalating, quasi-experimental clinical trial was conducted with a traditional healer using a decoction of Argemone mexicana for the treatment of malaria in Mali. The remedy was prescribed in three regimens: once daily for 3 days (Group A; n=23); twice daily for 7 days (Group B; n=40); and four times daily for the first 4 days followed by twice daily for 3 days (Group C; n=17). Thus, 80 patients were included, of whom 80% were aged<5 years and 25% were aged<1 year. All presented to the traditional healer with symptoms of malaria and had a Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia>2000/microl but no signs of severe malaria. The proportions of adequate clinical response (ACR) at Day 14 were 35%, 73% and 65% in Groups A, B and C, respectively (P=0.011). At Day 14, overall proportions of ACR were lower in children aged<1 year (45%) and higher in patients aged>5 years (81%) (P=0.027). Very few patients had complete parasite clearance, but at Day 14, 67% of patients with ACR had a parasitaemia<2000/microl. No patient needed referral for severe disease. Only minor side effects were observed. Further research should determine whether this local resource could represent a first-aid home treatment in remote areas.
Willcox
Merlin L
ML
Antenna Technologies, Geneva, Switzerland. merlinwillcox@doctors.org.uk
Graz
Bertrand
B
Falquet
Jacques
J
Sidibé
Oumar
O
Forster
Mathieu
M
Diallo
Drissa
D
D000818:Animals; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D031674:Argemone / Q000737:chemistry*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D008517:Phytotherapy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010963:Plasmodium falciparum; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000962:Antimalarials; D028321:Plant Preparations