Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

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Research Article

Artemisia Annua L. Infusion Consumed Once a Week Reduces Risk of Multiple Episodes of Malaria: A Randomised Trial in a Ugandan Community

Patrick E Ogwang^1,3, Jasper O Ogwal⁴, Simon Kasasa², Deogratius Olila³, Francis Ejobi³, David Kabasa³ and Celestino Obua^4*

¹Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Institute, Ministry of Health, P.O Box 4864, ²School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, PO Box 7072, Kampala, ³Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Makerere University, PO Box 7072, Kampala; ⁴Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, PO Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda

*For correspondence: Email: cobua@chs.mak.ac.ug Tel: +256 712 210 937

Received: 18 February 2011 Revised accepted: 31 March 2012

Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, June 2012; 11(3): 437-444

http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v11i3.14

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the protective effect of Artemisia annua infusion against malaria in a community that uses it as herbal ‘tea’ for malaria prevention.

Methods: 132 flower farm workers who met the study inclusion criteria and were not yet using A. annua infusion were randomized either to A. annua or placebo groups in the ratio of 1:1. Treatments were administered once a week under direct observation to participants. Malaria episodes were documented over a 9-month period while adverse effects were documented over 12 months.

Results: A. annua herbal ‘tea’ significantly reduced the risk of suffering more than one episode of malaria in nine months by 55 % (12/67 vs 26/65, p = 0.005 No participant experienced any serious adverse effect although bitter taste was the most common side effect of the infusion.

Conclusion: Artemisia annua infusion consumed once a week was effective in preventing multiple episodes of malaria in humans living in malaria endemic areas. However, its bitter taste and the risk of development of malaria parasite resistance to the artemisinin contained in it remain major challenges for its use in the mass control of malaria.

Keywords: Artemisia annua, Herbal tea, Community, Malaria prevention