Pharmacognostic standardization and monograph development of Artemisinin from Artemisia annua grown in Nigeria: Step towards local production of Artemisinin based combination therapies

Towards combating the epidemic of malaria in Nigeria, cultivated Artemisia annua was subjected to various investigations. Isolation and characterization of artemisinin, along with antimalarial screening were carried out in order to standardize the product and produce a monograph. These studies resulted in the 0.5% artemisinin yield employing a modified method [1], melting point of 155^°C, TLC fingerprints and white spindle shaped crystals. Pharmacognostic investigation on Artemisia annua yielded the presence of alkaloids, sterols, terpenes, anthraquinone, flavonoids and carbohydrates, with absence of saponins and tannins. Moisture content of 13.1%, total ash value of 12.6%, acid insoluble value of 1.9%, water soluble extractive value of 22.7% and alcohol soluble extractive value of 14.3%. NMR and HPLC analyses were further carried out to determine the identity, purity and quality of the artemisinin obtained and the result indicated a high degree of these parameters. Antiplasmodial activity (in vitro) of the isolated artemisinin from A. annua against chloroquine resistant Plasmodium falciparum (strain K1) parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) assay [2] yielded a comparable antimalarial activity to the reference drug. Efforts are currently on to determine the artemisinin contents in the different A. annua biomasses obtained from different pilot farms in Nigeria as guide to further cultivation expansion. These results along with others being compiled are aimed at local production of ACTs in the country as Nigeria strives to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

Acknowledgments: The Artemisinin Development Company Abuja Nigeria, & Prof. Andi Brisibe.

1. Klayman D.L. et al. (1984)J. Nat. Prod. 47:715–717.

2. Makler, M.T. et al. (1993). Am. J.Trop. Med.Hyg. 48:739–741.