Use of Artemisia annua L. Infusion for Malaria Prevention: Mode of Action and Benefits in a Ugandan Community
Patrick E. Ogwang *
Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Institute, Ministry of Health, P. O. Box 4864, Kampala, Uganda and School of Veterinary Medicine, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
Jasper O. Ogwal
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072 Kampala, Uganda.
Simon Kasasa
School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
Francis Ejobi
School of Veterinary Medicine, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
David Kabasa
School of Veterinary Medicine, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
Celestino Obua
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, P. O. Box 7072 Kampala, Uganda.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Malaria is major public health problem in Uganda endemic in 95% contributing up to 40% of hospital outpatient attendances. Approaches to controlling the disease include; environmental, entomological and medicinal interventions. Some communities use medicinal plants to control the disease. In this paper we report the use of Artemisia annua L. for malaria prophylaxis at a Ugandan floricultural farm. We conducted a survey of the farm workers to determine extent of use of A. annua ‘tea’, their clinic attendance patterns and also quantified the levels of artemisinin and flavonoids in A. annua. We further tested the effect of artemisinin devoid extract in laboratory animal models. Findings from the survey showed that 84.2% of the managers and 62% of field workers in this farm consumed A. annua ‘tea’ once a week to prevent malaria and related fevers. Clinic attendance due to fevers or symptoms associated with malaria was reduced by 80% while cases of laboratory confirmed diagnosis of malaria reduced by 16.7%. Laboratory test of A. annua leaf powder used in community indicated the presence of artemisinin (0.4% to 0.5%) and flavonoids (9% to 11%). A. annua extract devoid of artemisinin was found to significantly boost monocyte counts in albino rats (p<0.001).The action of these flovonoids could explain the mechanism of prophylaxis of A. annua ‘tea’. A. annua variety or product thereof rich in flavonoids but devoid of artemisinin should be developed and tried for mass prevention of malaria as a beverage or food taken regularly.
Keywords: Artemisia annua, flavonoids, malaria, prevention