Abstract

ACOSTA DE LA LUZ, Lérida  and  CASTRO ARMAS, Ricardo. Botanic, biology, chemical composition and pharmacological properties of Artemisia annua L.. Rev Cubana Plant Med [online]. 2009, vol.14, n.4. ISSN 1028-4796.

INTRODUCTION: this is a bibliographic review on Artemisia annua L., a medicinal herb from Artemisia gender, which includes approximately 400 species. A. annua, traditionally is used as an herbal treatment against malaria in China and in other world zones. OBJETIVE: to collect and update the information published on Artemisia annua L. METHODS: authors conducted a wide bibliographic review allowed them to identify and to look for some ten scientific articles on A. annua, mainly of the past 20 years, as well as some books and monographs on this plant. Aim of present paper is to analyze the most important historical features related to this plant, a botanical description, origin and geographical distribution, environmental requirements, chemical composition, oil production and its pharmacological properties. RESULTS: studies performed showed that not only the artemisinine and its derivatives have a demonstrated pharmacological effectiveness, but also that it essential oil is of interest by its therapeutical use as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, as well as to be effective against asthma and cold. There are evidences that the aerial parts of this plant have antibacterial, antiseptic, febrifugal properties, and seeds use in flatulences as carminative and digestive and the in vitro studies show that artemisinine content may to keel as well as the Protozoa causing of malaria other parasites and bacteria, supporting its traditional use for treatment of gastrointestinal parasites and infectious diarrhea. CONCLUSIONS: from A. annua it have been two derivatives as new drugs to cure of malaria: artesunate and artemeter, which have been reported in essential drugs list by WHO demonstrating its potentials and therapeutical effectiveness in treatment of these diseases.

Keywords : Artemisia annua; artemisinine; medicinal plants; bibliographic review; pharmacological actions; artemeter; artesunate.