Ethnopharmacology of Artemisia annua L.: A review

Abstract

Artemisia annua L. has been recognized as important ethanomedicinal herb since two millennia. It has been included in ancient pharmacopoeias of various Asian and European countries. World Health Organization has recommended A. annua as antimalarial drug. Its most common ethnobotanical practice involves the use of whole plant decoction for the treatment of malaria, cough, and cold. Diarrhea is also reported to be cured by taking its dry leaves powder. Whole flowering plant is known to be antihelminth, antipyretic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, stimulant, tonic, and stomachic. The tincture was formally used to treat nervous diseases and crushed plants in liniments. A. annua tea infusion has been used for the treatment of malaria in African countries. A. annua contains vital compound known as artemisinin that provide structural chemical base for combinatorial treatment therapy for world antimalarial program. Research studies also report that artemisinin is effective for killing human breast cancer cells. Therefore, isolation and characterization of artemisinin has increased the interest in A. annua worldwide. Several ethnobotanical uses in Africa claim that the A. annua tea is also effective against HIV. Recently, research investigations are more focused to evaluate its antiviral potential against HIV, as it is highly emerging disease throughout the world. Therefore, scientific validation can provide the support to the concept of ethnopharmacology in overdrive.