title: Millet-porridge with Artemisia annua as first aid for African children with malaria?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In a few malaria-endemic countries with high disease prevalence, especially in children, and local cultivation of Artemisia annua, the availability of recommended malaria medicines is scant. New sources of treatment could be used, drawing from traditional medicine.
  
  
  METHODS
  A popular African millet-porridge was prepared by adding dried, sieved leaves of Artemisia annua. Artemisinin concentrations were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The artemisinin content of the porridge is stable and the concentration is maintained. The taste of the porridge is palatable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further research is needed before proposing the millet-porridge artemisinin formulation, but such an affordable therapy could be an option in the near future (also) for children living in poor areas where access to effective antimalarial drugs is precluded.
authors: Laboratory for Mother and Child Health, Department of Public Health, Mario Negri Pharmacological Research Institute, Via G. La Masa 19, Milan, Italy. mother_child@marionegri.it
authors: Maurizio
authors: M
authors: Bonati
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Severino
authors: Renzo
authors: R
authors: Bagnati
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Carrà
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Fanelli
mesh_terms: D000962:Antimalarials / Q000032:analysis* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D031172:Artemisia annua / Q000737:chemistry*; D037621:Artemisinins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D002523:Edible Grain; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008897:Panicum; D008517:Phytotherapy; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013649:Taste
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D028321:Plant Preparations; C031327:artemisinin