AccScience Publishing / GHES / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/ghes.4927
REVIEW ARTICLE

Medicinal plants as more sustainable therapeutic solutions: Artemisia annua and Artemisia afra as case studies

Pamela J. Weathers1*
Show Less
1 Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester MA, United States of America
Submitted: 24 September 2024 | Revised: 19 December 2024 | Accepted: 9 January 2025 | Published: 5 February 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
Abstract

Humans have used botanicals as traditional medicines for millennia, yet Western biomedicine has shunned many of these as undefined and often unreliable. While not all botanicals have a strong scientific basis or can be directly used as therapeutics, two, Artemisia annua and Artemisia afra, are quite well-established for their safety and efficacy within ethnopharmacological and scientific literature. A. annua, being better studied, is especially effective against many diseases. It is inexpensive, has consistent phytochemical content within a cultivar grown in its local region, evades the evolution of parasite drug resistance, and can be reliably produced on both large and small scales. Well-defined botanical drugs offer major benefits for more sustainable global health-care. This review highlights these two plant species as examples of how the broader implementation of botanical drugs can decrease costs, promote environmental sustainability, and deliver economic benefits – especially to rural communities – by empowering them to manage their health-care needs more sustainably. Comparisons are made between the agricultural and production costs of an extracted natural product versus Artemisia as a traditional botanical medicine. The review also examines the impact of climate on these two crops and provides a brief comparison of the carbon footprints of traditionally produced botanical drugs versus their commercially produced counterparts. A specific, successful example of sustainable production of A. annua is also described. Overall, there are many well-established reasons to advocate for broader approval of botanical drugs to strengthen global health-care systems.

Keywords
Rural Artemisia production
Dried leaf Artemisia
Artemisinin
Malaria
Artemisinin bioavailability
Artemisinin drug resistance
Artemisia phytochemical consistency
Funding
Some of the data shared in this report were derived from studies funded to P.J. Weathers (Award No.: NIH- 2R15AT008277-02) from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, which partially funded the analysis of the plant material in this study. The content is solely the responsibility of the author and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health or the National Institutes of Health.
Conflict of interest
The author declares no competing interests.
References

Alejos-Gonzalez, F., Qu, G., Zhou, L.L., Saravitz, C.H., Shurtleff, J.L., & Xie, D.Y. (2011). Characterization of development and artemisinin biosynthesis in self-pollinated Artemisia annua plants. Planta, 234(4):685-697. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-011-1430-z

 

Alin, M.H., & Bjorkman, A. (1994). Concentration and time dependency of artemisinin efficacy against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 50(6):771-776. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.1994.50.771

 

Ashraf, K., Tajeri, S., Arnold, C.S., Amanzougaghene, N., Franetich, J.F., Vantaux, A., et al. (2022). Artemisinin-independent inhibitory activity of Artemisia sp. infusions against different Plasmodium stages including relapse-causing hypnozoites. Life Science Alliance, 5(3):e202101237. https://doi.org/10.26508/lsa.202101237

 

Ataba, E., Dorkenoo, A.M., Nguepou, C.T., Bakai, T., Tchadjobo, T., Kadzahlo, K.D., et al. (2022). Potential emergence of Plasmodium resistance to artemisinin induced by the use of Artemisia annua for malaria and COVID-19 prevention in Sub-African Region. Acta Parasitologica, 67(1):55-60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-021-00489-y

 

Babacan, Ü., Cengiz, M.F., Bouali, M., Tongur, T., Mutlu, S.S., & Gülmez, E. (2022). Determination, solvent extraction, and purification of artemisinin from Artemisia annua L. Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 28:100363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jarmap.2021.100363

 

Berrizbeitia de Morgado, M., Cariaco Sifontes, Y., Imery Buiza, J., & Lutgen, P. (2017). Actividad de infusiones de Artemisia annua sobre epimastigotes de Trypanosoma cruzi. In: Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología clínica. Netherlands: Elsevier, p.390-392.

 

Bonati, M., Severino, F., Bagnati, R., Carrà, A., & Fanelli, R. (2011). Millet-porridge with Artemisia annua as first aid for African children with malaria? The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 17(4):371-373. https://doi.org/10.1089/acm.2010.0252

 

Brisibe, E.A., & Chukwurah, P.N. (2013). Production of artemisinin in planta and in microbial systems need not be mutually exclusive. In: Artemisia Annua-pharmacology and Biotechnology. Germany: Springer, p.269-292.

 

Cao, J., Yang, M., Cao, F., Wang, J., & Su, E. (2017). Well-designed hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents as green and efficient media for the extraction of artemisinin from Artemisia annua leaves. ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering, 5(4):3270-3278. https://doi.org/10.1021/acssuschemeng.6b03092

 

Chidumayo, E.N., & Gumbo, D.J. (2013). The environmental impacts of charcoal production in tropical ecosystems of the world: A synthesis. Energy for Sustainable Development, 17(2):86-94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2012.07.004

 

Daddy, N.B., Kalisya, L.M., Bagire, P.G., Watt, R.L., Towler, M.J., & Weathers, P.J. (2017). Artemisia annua dried leaf tablets treated malaria resistant to ACT and I.V artesunate. Phytomedicine, 32:37-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2017.04.006

 

Daddy, N.B., Lutgen, P., & Gisenya, P. (2021). Breakthrough against tuberculosis: High efficacy of Artemisia afra infusions. Pharmacy and Pharmacology International Journal, 9:58-62. https://doi.org/10.15406/ppij.2021.09.00328

 

Dalziell, J., & Rogers, W. (2022). Are the ethics of synthetic biology fit for purpose? A case study of artemisinin. Proceedings of the IEEE, 110(5):511-517. https://doi.org/10.1109/JPROC.2022.3157825

 

Daussy, J., & Staudt, M. (2020). Do future climate conditions change volatile organic compound emissions from Artemisia annua? Elevated CO2 and temperature modulate actual VOC emission rate but not its emission capacity. Atmospheric Environment: X, 7:100082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aeaoa.2020.100082

 

De Faveri Favero, F., Basting, R.T., De Freitas, A.S., Rabelo, L.D.S.D., Nonato, F.R., Zafred, R.R.T., et al. (2024). Artemisinin and deoxyartemisinin isolated from Artemisia annua L. promote distinct antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in an animal model. Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy, 178:117299.

 

De Vries, P., Chan, N., & De Goeje, P. (1999). Production and Application of Artemisinin in Vietnam. Vietnam: Institute of Materia Medica, Viet Nam and the University of Amsterdam. Gioi Publishers.

 

Derda, M., Hadaś, E., Cholewiński, M., Skrzypczak, Ł., Grzondziel, A., & Wojtkowiak-Giera, A. (2016). Artemisia annua L. as a plant with potential use in the treatment of acanthamoebiasis. Parasitology Research, 115(4):1635-1639. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-016-4902-z

 

Desrosiers, M.R., & Weathers, P.J. (2016). Effect of leaf digestion and artemisinin solubility for use in oral consumption of dried Artemisia annua leaves to treat malaria. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 190:313-318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2016.06.041

 

Desrosiers, M.R., & Weathers, P.J. (2018). Artemisinin permeability via Caco-2 cells increases after simulated digestion of Artemisia annua leaves. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 210:254-259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2017.08.038

 

Desrosiers, M.R., Mittelman, A., & Weathers, P.J. (2020). Dried leaf Artemisia annua improves bioavailability of artemisinin via cytochrome P450 inhibition and enhances artemisinin efficacy downstream. Biomolecules, 10(2):254. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom10020254

 

Devaraj, A., & Roelofson, M.F. (2015). Artemisia annua tea as a rejuvenative therapy for HIV infected non ART AIDS patients. World Journal Pharmaceutical Research, 4(6):941-946.

 

Dhorda, M., Kaneko, A., Komatsu, R., Kc, A., Mshamu, S., Gesase, S., et al. (2024). Artemisinin-resistant malaria in Africa demands urgent action. Science, 385(6706):252-254. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adp5137

 

Diaz, K. (2023). Freight Container Farms: A Feasibility and Sustainability Assessment. Champaign: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

 

Ding, F., Ma, T., Hao, M., Wang, Q., Chen, S., Wang, D., et al. (2020). Mapping worldwide environmental suitability for Artemisia annua L. Sustainability, 12(4):1309. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12041309

 

Dolivo, D., Weathers, P., & Dominko, T. (2021). Artemisinin and artemisinin derivatives as anti-fibrotic therapeutics. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B, 11(2):322-339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsb.2020.09.001

 

Efferth, T. (2009). Artemisinin: A versatile weapon from traditional Chinese medicine. In: Herbal Drugs: Ethnomedicine to Modern Medicine. Germany: Springer, p.173-194.

 

Efferth, T. (2018). Beyond malaria: The inhibition of viruses by artemisinin-type compounds. Biotechnology Advances, 36:1730-1737. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2018.01.001

 

Elfawal, M.A., Towler, M.J., Reich, N.G., Golenbock, D., Weathers, P J., & Rich, S.M. (2012). Dried whole plant Artemisia annua as an antimalarial therapy. PLoS One, 7(12):e52746. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0052746

 

Elfawal, M.A., Towler, M.J., Reich, N.G., Weathers, P.J., & Rich, S.M. (2015). Dried whole-plant Artemisia annua slows evolution of malaria drug resistance and overcomes resistance to artemisinin. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(3):821-826. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1413127112

 

Ellman, A. (2010). Cultivation of Artemisia annua in Africa and Asia. Outlooks on Pest Management, 21(2):84-88. https://doi.org/10.1564/21apr08

 

Feeney, A.J., Goad, J.A., & Flaherty, G.T. (2024) Global perspective of the risks of falsified and counterfeit medicines: A critical review of the literature. Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, 61:102758.

 

Feng, J., Li, T., Yee, R., Yuan, Y., Bai, C., Cai, M., et al. (2019). Stationary phase persister/biofilm microcolony of Borrelia burgdorferi causes more severe disease in a mouse model of Lyme arthritis: Implications for understanding persistence, post-treatment lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS), and treatment failure. Discovery Medicine, 27(148):125-138.

 

Feng, J., Shi, W., Zhang, S., & Zhang, Y. (2015). Identification of new compounds with high activity against stationary phase Borrelia burgdorferi from the NCI compound collection. Emerging Microbes and Infections, 4(1):e31. https://doi.org/10.1038/emi.2015.31

 

Feng, J., Wang, T., Shi, W., Zhang, S., Sullivan, D., Auwaerter, P.G., et al. (2014). Identification of novel activity against Borrelia burgdorferi persisters using an FDA approved drug library. Emerging Microbes and Infections, 3(1):1-8.

 

Ferreira, J.F., Benedito, V.A., Sandhu, D., Marchese, J.A., & Liu, S. (2018). Seasonal and differential sesquiterpene accumulation in Artemisia annua suggest selection based on both artemisinin and dihydroartemisinic acid may increase artemisinin in planta. Frontiers in Plant Science, 9:1096. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.01096

 

Ferreira, J.F., Peaden, P., & Keiser, J. (2011). In vitro trematocidal effects of crude alcoholic extracts of Artemisia annua, A. absinthium, Asimina triloba, and Fumaria officinalis. Parasitology Research, 109(6):1585-1592. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-011-2418-0

 

Ganfon, H., Yemoa, A., Assanhou, A.G., N’oueni, K., Amoussa, A., Morimont, L., et al. (2019). Pilot study of quality control of Artemisia annua-based herbal medicine sold in Benin. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, 8(6):1817-1822.

 

Ghaffarifar, F., Heydari, F.E., Dalimi, A., Hassan, Z.M., Delavari, M., & Mikaeiloo, H. (2015). Evaluation of apoptotic and antileishmanial activities of Artemisinin on promastigotes and BALB/C mice infected with Leishmania major. Iranian Journal of Parasitology, 10(2):258.

 

Goel, R., Kumari, R., Singh, V., Kumari, R., Srivastava, S., & Kumar, S. (2018). Perspectives of the Artemisia annua dry leaf therapy (ALT) for malaria and of its re-purposement as an affordable cure for artemisinin-treatable illnesses. Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy, 18(3):750-780.

 

Goodman, C., Tougher, S., Shang, T.J., & Visser, T. (2024). Improving malaria case management with artemisinin-based combination therapies and malaria rapid diagnostic tests in private medicine retail outlets in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. PLoS One, 19(7):e0286718. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286718

 

Gruessner, B.M., Cornet-Vernet, L., Desrosiers, M.R., Lutgen, P., Towler, M.J., & Weathers, P.J. (2019). It is not just artemisinin: Artemisia sp. for treating diseases including malaria and schistosomiasis. Phytochemistry Reviews, 18(6):1509-1527. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-019-09645-9

 

Han, B., Kim, S.M., Nam, G.E., Kim, S.H., Park, S.J., Park, Y.K., et al. (2020). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centered clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Artemisia annua L. extract for improvement of liver function. Clinical Nutrition Research, 9(4):258. https://doi.org/10.7762/cnr.2020.9.4.258

 

Hsu, E. (2006). Reflections on the ‘discovery’ of the antimalarial qinghao. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 61:666-670. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2006.02673.x

 

Hsu, E. (2013). How techniques of herbal drug preparation affect the therapeutic outcome: Reflections on Qinghao 青蒿 (Herba Artemisiae annuae) in the history of the Chinese materia medica. In: Artemisia annua-Pharmacology and Biotechnology. Germany: Springer, p.1-7.

 

Hunt, S., McNamara, D., & Stebbings, S. (2016). An open-label 6-month extension study to investigate the safety and efficacy of an extract of Artemisia annua for managing pain, stiffness and functional limitation associated with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. The New Zealand Medical Journal, 129(1444):97-102.

 

Ishengoma, D.S., Gosling, R., Martinez-Vega, R., Beshir, K.B., Bailey, J.A., Chimumbwa, J., et al. (2024). Urgent action is needed to confront artemisinin partial resistance in African malaria parasites. Nature Medicine, 30(7):1807-1808. https://doi.org/10.1038/d41591-024-00028-y

 

Islamuddin, M., Farooque, A., Dwarakanath, B., Sahal, D., & Afrin, F. (2012). Extracts of Artemisia annua leaves and seeds mediate programmed cell death in Leishmania donovani. Journal of Medical Microbiology, 61(12):1709-1718. https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.049387-0

 

Jansen, F., Jansen-Luts, A., Ameye, C., & Penali, L. (2006). Is artesunate or its active metabolite dihydroartemisinin being excreted in the milk of lactating mothers? American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 75(5):158.

 

Kane, N.F., Kiani, B.H., Desrosiers, M.R., Towler, M.J., & Weathers, P.J. (2022). Artemisia extracts differ from artemisinin effects on human hepatic CYP450s 2B6 and 3A4 in vitro. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 298:115587. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.115587

 

Kane, N.F., Kyama, M.C., Nganga, J.K., Hassanali, A., Diallo, M., & Kimani, F.T. (2019). Acute toxicity effect of Artemisia afra plant extracts on the liver, kidney, spleen and in vivo antimalarial assay on Swiss Albino mice. Advances in Bioscience and Bioengineering, 7(4):64-71. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.abb.20190704.12

 

Kellogg, J.J., Alonso, M.N., Jordan, R.T., Xiao, J., Cafiero, J.H., Bush, T., et al. (2024). An O-methylflavone from Artemisia afra kills non-replicating hypoxic Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 333:118500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2024.118500

 

Khan, S., Ali, A., Ahmad, S., & Abdin, M.Z. (2015). Affordable and rapid HPTLC method for the simultaneous analysis of artemisinin and its metabolite artemisinic acid in Artemisia annua L. Biomedical Chromatography, 29(10):1594-1603. https://doi.org/10.1002/bmc.3465

 

Kiani, B.H., Alonso, M.N., Weathers, P.J., & Shell, S.S. (2023). Artemisia afra and Artemisia annua extracts have bactericidal activity against mycobacterium tuberculosis in physiologically relevant carbon sources and hypoxia. Pathogens, 12(2):227. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12020227

 

Kim, D.M., & Neiva, R. (2015). Periodontal soft tissue non-root coverage procedures: A systematic review from the AAP regeneration workshop. Journal of Periodontology, 86(2 Suppl):S56-S72. https://doi.org/10.1902/jop.2015.130684

 

Lapkin, A.A., Plucinski, P.K., & Cutler, M. (2006). Comparative assessment of technologies for extraction of artemisinin. Journal of Natural Products, 69(11):1653-1664. https://doi.org/10.1021/np060375j

 

Larson, S.A., Dolivo, D., & Dominko, T. (2018). Artesunate antagonizes myofibroblast markers and fibrosis‐associated extracellular matrix protein expression in human dermal fibroblasts. The FASEB Journal, 32:660-667.

 

Larson, S.A., Dolivo, D.M., & Dominko, T. (2019). Artesunate inhibits myofibroblast formation via induction of apoptosis and antagonism of pro‐fibrotic gene expression in human dermal fibroblasts. Cell Biology International, 43(11):1317-1322. https://doi.org/10.1002/cbin.1

 

Larson, T.R., Branigan, C., Harvey, D., Penfield, T., Bowles, D., & Graham, I.A. (2013). A survey of artemisinic and dihydroartemisinic acid contents in glasshouse and global field-grown populations of the artemisinin-producing plant Artemisia annua L. Industrial Crops and Products, 45:1-6.

 

Liu, C., Zuo, Z., Xu, F., & Wang, Y. (2023). Authentication of herbal medicines based on modern analytical technology combined with chemometrics approach: A review. Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry, 53(7):1393-1418. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408347.2021.2023460

 

Lubbe, A., Seibert, I., Klimkait, T., & Van der Kooy, F. (2012). Ethnopharmacology in overdrive: The remarkable anti-HIV activity of Artemisia annua. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 141(3):854-859. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2012.03.024

 

Ma, D.M., Wang, Z., Wang, L., Alejos-Gonzales, F., Sun, M.A., & Xie, D.Y. (2015). A genome-wide scenario of terpene pathways in self-pollinated Artemisia annua. Molecular Plant, 8(11):1580-1598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molp.2015.07.004

 

Mahomoodally, M.F. (2013). Traditional medicines in Africa: An appraisal of ten potent African medicinal plants. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013(1):617459. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/617459

 

Marchese, J.A., Ferreira, J.F., Moraes, R.M., Dayan, F.E., Rodrigues, M.F., Jamhour, J., et al. (2023). Crop phenology and floral induction in different Artemisia annua L. genotypes. Industrial Crops and Products, 192:116118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2022.116118

 

Marchese, J.A., Ferreira, J.F., Rehder, V.L., & Rodrigues, O. (2010). Water deficit effect on the accumulation of biomass and artemisinin in annual wormwood (Artemisia annua L., Asteraceae). Brazilian Journal of Plant Physiology, 22:1-9.

 

Martini, M., Zhang, T., Williams, J., Abramovitch, R., Weathers, P., & Shell, S. (2020). Artemisia annua and Artemisia afra extracts exhibit strong bactericidal activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 262:113191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113191

 

Mesa, L.E., Vasquez, D., Lutgen, P., Vélez, I.D., Restrepo, A.M., Ortiz, I., et al. (2017). In vitro and in vivo antileishmanial activity of Artemisia annua L. leaf powder and its potential usefulness in the treatment of uncomplicated cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans. Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical, 50(1):52-60. https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0457-2016

 

Mishina, Y.V., Krishna, S., Haynes, R.K., & Meade, J.C. (2007). Artemisinins inhibit Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense in vitro growth. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 51(5):1852-1854. https://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.01544-06

 

Munyangi, J., Cornet-Vernet, L., Idumbo, M., Lu, C., Lutgen, P., Perronne, C., et al. (2019). Artemisia annua and Artemisia afra tea infusions vs. artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) in treating Plasmodium falciparum malaria in a large scale, double blind, randomized clinical trial. Phytomedicine, 57:49-56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2018.12.002

 

Mutsaers, H.A., Merrild, C., Nørregaard, R., & Plana-Ripoll, O. (2023). The impact of fibrotic diseases on global mortality from 1990 to 2019. Journal of Translational Medicine, 21(1):818. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-023-04690-7

 

N’Guessan, A., Any-Grah, S.A., Dally, I.L., Tuo, A., Lia, A.G., N’guessan, C., et al. (2019). Formulation de comprimés à base de feuilles et de tiges d’Artemisia annua. Cah. Santé Publique, 18:59-74.

 

Nague, L.T., Mpondo, E., Nga, E.N., Ekengoue, C.M., & Youagam, R.V. (2022). Formulation et fabrication des suppositoires à visée antipaludique à base du beurre de karité contenant Artémisia annua cultivé à l’ouest cameroun. European Scientific Journal ESJ, 18(27):204. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2022.v18n27p204

 

Nair, M.S., Huang, Y., Fidock, D.A., Polyak, S.J., Wagoner, J., Towler, M.J., et al. (2021). Artemisia annua L. extracts inhibit the in vitro replication of SARS-CoV-2 and two of its variants. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 274:114016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.114016

 

Nardo, A.D., Schneeweiss‐Gleixner, M., Bakail, M., Dixon, E.D., Lax, S.F., & Trauner, M. (2021). Pathophysiological mechanisms of liver injury in COVID‐19. Liver International, 41(1):20-32. https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.14730

 

Naß, J., & Efferth, T. (2018). The activity of Artemisia spp. and their constituents against Trypanosomiasis. Phytomedicine, 47:184-191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2018.06.002

 

News, I. (2009). Small Farmers Cash in on Artemisinin Production. Available from: https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/ report/82486/kenya-small-farmers-cash-artemisinin-production [Last accessed on 2024 Jul 31].

 

Ntutela, S., Smith, P., Matika, L., Mukinda, J., Arendse, H., Allie, N., et al. (2009). Efficacy of Artemisia afra phytotherapy in experimental tuberculosis. Tuberculosis (Edinb), 89(Suppl 1):S33-S40. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1472-9792(09)70009-5

 

Onimus, M., Carteron, S., & Lutgen, P. (2013). The surprising efficiency of Artemisia annua powder capsules. Medicin Aromat Plants, 2(3):125. https://doi.org/10.4172/2167-0412.1000125

 

Paddon, C.J., & Keasling, J.D. (2014). Semi-synthetic artemisinin: A model for the use of synthetic biology in pharmaceutical development. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 12(5):355-367. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrmicro3240

 

Palacios-Lopez, A., Christiaensen, L., & Kilic, T. (2017). How much of the labor in African agriculture is provided by women? Food Policy, 67:52-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2016.09.017

 

Parveen, S. (2021). In silico drug repurposing of fda-approved artemisinins as potent chemotherapeutics targeting BCL-2, CDK-6 and VEGFR-2: Density functional exploration and molecular docking study. Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry, 11:9604-9618.

 

Peplow, M. (2013). Malaria drug made in yeast causes market ferment. Nature, 494(7436):160-161. https://doi.org/10.1038/494160a

 

Peplow, M. (2016). Synthetic malaria drug meets market resistance: First commercial deployment of synthetic biology for medicine has modest impact. Nature, 530(7591):389-391. https://doi.org/10.1038/530390a

 

Räth, K., Taxis, K., Walz, G., Gleiter, C.H., Li, S.M., & Heide, L. (2004). Pharmacokinetic study of artemisinin after oral intake of a traditional preparation of Artemisia annua L. (annual wormwood). The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 70(2):128-132. https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.2004.70.128

 

Rijken, M.J., McGready, R., Phyo, A.P., Lindegardh, N., Tarning, J., Laochan, N., et al. (2011). Pharmacokinetics of dihydroartemisinin and piperaquine in pregnant and nonpregnant women with uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 55(12):5500-5506. https://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.05067-11

 

Risite, H., Salim, M.H., Oudinot, B.T., Ablouh, E.H., Joyeux, H.T., Sehaqui, H., et al. (2022). Artemisia annua stems a new sustainable source for cellulosic materials: Production and characterization of cellulose microfibers and nanocrystals. Waste and Biomass Valorization, 13(4):2411-2423. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-021-01658-w

 

Romero, M.R., Efferth, T., Serrano, M.A., Castaño, B., Macias, R.I., Briz, O., et al. (2005). Effect of artemisinin/artesunate as inhibitors of hepatitis B virus production in an “in vitro” replicative system. Antiviral Research, 68(2):75-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.antiviral.2005.07.005

 

Savage, R.L., Hill, G.R., Barnes, J., Kenyon, S.H., & Tatley, M.V. (2019). Suspected hepatotoxicity with a supercritical carbon dioxide extract of Artemisia annua in grapeseed oil used in New Zealand. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 10:1448. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2019.01448

 

Sewanan, L.R., Clerkin, K.J., Tucker, N.R., & Tsai, E.J. (2023). How does COVID-19 affect the heart? Current Cardiology Reports, 25(3):171-184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-023-01841-6

 

Singh, S.J., Baldwin, M.M., Daynes, E., Evans, R.A., Greening, N.J., Jenkins, R.G., et al. (2023). Respiratory sequelae of COVID-19: pulmonary and extrapulmonary origins, and approaches to clinical care and rehabilitation. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 11(8):709-725. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(23)00159-5

 

Snider, D., & Weathers, P.J. (2021). In vitro reduction of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes: Artemisia spp. tea infusions vs. artemisinin. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 268:113638.

 

Staub, S.A. (2023). Malaria Business: Knowledge, Power and the Governance of Artemisia in the Fight Against Malaria. Gainesville, FL: University of Florida.

 

Stebbings, S., Beattie, E., McNamara, D., & Hunt, S. (2016). A pilot randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to investigate the efficacy and safety of an extract of Artemisia annua administered over 12 weeks, for managing pain, stiffness, and functional limitation associated with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. Clinical Rheumatology, 35(7):1829-1836. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-015-3110-z

 

Supaibulwattana, K., Kuntawunginn, W., Cha-Um, S., & Kirdmanee, C. (2011). Artemisinin accumulation and enhanced net photosynthetic rate in Qinghao (Artemisia annua L.) Hardened in vitro in Enriched-CO2 photoautotrophic conditions. Plant Omics, 4(2):75-81.

 

Taljaard, L., Probst, A., Tornow, R., Keiser, J., Haynes, R.K., & Van der Kooy, F. (2022). In vitro antischistosomal activity of Artemisia annua and Artemisia afra extracts. Phytomedicine Plus, 2(3):100279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phyplu.2022.100279

 

Thu, B.T.T., Van Minh, T., Lim, B.P., & Keng, C.L. (2011). Effects of environmental factors on growth and artemisinin content of Artemisia annua L. Tropical Life Sciences Research, 22(2):37-43.

 

Titulaer, H., Zuidema, J., Kager, P., Wetsteyn, J., Lugt, C.B., & Merkus, F. (1990). The pharmacokinetics of artemisinin after oral, intramuscular and rectal administration to volunteers. Journal of pharmacy and Pharmacology, 42(11):810-813. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-7158.1990.tb07030.x

 

Triemer, S., Gilmore, K., Vu, G.T., Seeberger, P.H., & Seidel‐ Morgenstern, A. (2018). Literally green chemical synthesis of artemisinin from plant extracts. Angewandte Chemie International Edition English, 57(19):5525-5528. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201801424

 

Tu, Y. (2016). Artemisinin-a gift from traditional Chinese medicine to the world (Nobel lecture). Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 55(35):10210-10226. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201601967

 

Wang, D., Shi, C., Alamgir, K., Kwon, S., Pan, L., Zhu, Y., et al. (2022). Global assessment of the distribution and conservation status of a key medicinal plant (Artemisia annua L.): The roles of climate and anthropogenic activities. Science of the Total Environment, 821:153378. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153378

 

Weathers, P., Desrosiers, M., & Cornet-Vernet, L. (2024). Artemisia annua, a cost-effective sustainable therapeutic for the masses and the political challenges for its implementation. In: Krueger, R., Telliel, Y., & Soboyejo, W., editors. Science, Engineering, and Sustainable Development: Cases in Planning, Health, Agriculture, and the Environment. Germany: De Gruyter. p21-36.

 

Weathers, P., Towler, M., Kiani, B.H., Dolivo, D., & Dominko, T. (2024). Differential anti-fibrotic and remodeling responses of human dermal fibroblasts to Artemisia sp., artemisinin, and its derivatives. Molecules, 29(9):2107. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092107

 

Weathers, P.J. (2023). Artemisinin as a therapeutic vs. its more complex Artemisia source material. Natural Product Reports, 40(7):1158-1169.

 

Weathers, P.J., & Towler, M.J. (2014). Changes in key constituents of clonally propagated Artemisia annua L. during preparation of compressed leaf tablets for possible therapeutic use. Industrial Crops and Products, 62:173-178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2014.08.033

 

Weathers, P.J., Arsenault, P.R., Covello, P.S., McMickle, A., Teoh, K.H., & Reed, D.W. (2011). Artemisinin production in Artemisia annua: Studies in planta and results of a novel delivery method for treating malaria and other neglected diseases. Phytochemistry Reviews, 10(2):173-183. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-010-9166-0

 

Weathers, P.J., Elfawal, M.A., Towler, M.J., Acquaah-Mensah, G.K., & Rich, S.M. (2014). Pharmacokinetics of artemisinin delivered by oral consumption of Artemisia annua dried leaves in healthy vs. Plasmodium chabaudi-infected mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 153(3):732-736. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2014.03.037

 

Weathers, P.J., Jordan, N.J., Lasin, P., & Towler, M.J. (2014). Simulated digestion of dried leaves of Artemisia annua consumed as a treatment (pACT) for malaria. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 151(2):858-863. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.043

 

Wetzstein, H.Y., Porter, J.A., Janick, J., Ferreira, J.F.S., & Mutui, T.M. (2018). Selection and clonal propagation of high artemisinin genotypes of Artemisia annua. Frontiers in Plant Science, 9:358. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.00358

 

White, N.J. (2008). Qinghaosu (artemisinin): The price of success. Science, 320(5874):330-334. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1155165

 

WHO. (2013). WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy: 2014-2023. Available from: https://iris.who.int/ bitstream/handle/10665/92455/9789241506090_eng.pdf;jsessionid=0bb134e5ee8a8ed49f6a35bdb9a5c9f1 [Last accessed on 2024 Jul 31].

 

World Health Organization. (2002). WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2002-2005. World Health Organization; Retrieved May 13, 2024. Available from: https://www.who.int/ publications/i/item/who-edm-trm-2002.1 [Last accessed on 2024 May 13]

 

Zheng, H., Williams, J.T., Aleiwi, B., Ellsworth, E., & Abramovitch, R.B. (2019). Inhibiting Mycobacterium tuberculosis DosRST signaling by targeting response regulator DNA binding and sensor kinase heme. ACS Chemical Biology, 15(1):52-62. https://doi.org/10.1021/acschembio.8b00849

 

Zhou, Y., Gilmore, K., Ramirez, S., Settels, E., Gammeltoft, K. A., Pham, L.V., et al. (2021). In vitro efficacy of artemisinin-based treatments against SARS-CoV-2. Scientific Reports, 11(1):1-14. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93361-y

 

Zime-Diawara, H., De Tove, Y.S.S., Akogbeto, O.E., Ogouyemi- Hounto, A., Gbaguidi, F.A., Kinde-Gazard, D., et al. (2015). Etude de l’efficacité et de la tolérance d’une tisane à base de Artemisia annua L.(Asteraceae) cultivée au Bénin pour la prise en charge du paludisme simple. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences, 9(2):692-702. https://doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v9i2.10

 

 

Share
Back to top
Global Health Economics and Sustainability, Electronic ISSN: 2972-4570 Print ISSN: 3060-8546, Published by AccScience Publishing