ARTEMISIA ANNUA

ARTEMISIA ANNUA

Synonyms : Qningho, Sweet-annie.

Biological source : This consists of Chinese traditional herb Artemisia annua Linn. Fam. Asteraceae

Geographical source : It is endemic to china and grows wild in Europe and America. It is cultivated in Vietnam, China, Turkey and Australia. It is also cultivated on experimental basis in Gujrat, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar pardesh, Himachal pardesh and Karnataka.

Chemical Nature: Out of seven of Artemisia, on;y. A annua contains aterminisin, deoxyaremisinin 1.0% it is a sesquiterpene loctone with an internal peroxide linkage. Artemisinic acid, arteanuuin  A and B are the other constituents of drug.

Uses: Artemisinin shows antimalarial effects by its rapied blood schizonticidal activity. The trophozite development is arrested and pathological consequences are not observed. It acts both against chloroquine sensitive and resistant P. falciparum and P. vivax malarial parasites. Presently, artemisinin is the most porent drug for trearing cerebral malaria. Artesunate and artemether, which are the derivatives of artemisinin, have also been found to be highly effective. Artemether has been developed by C.D.R.I., Luknow. Artemisic acid is reported to have not only antibacterial but also cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory actions.