Traditional Herbal Medicines For Malaria Traditional Herbal Medicines For Malaria | Página 2

Traditional Herbal Medicines For Malaria Malaria, the scourge of the tropics, no longer remains localized and has spread across the globe. In the early 60’s, widespread use of DDT and other pesticides against the vectors of Malaria led to the control of the disease to a considerable extent. However, in a few years, malaria returned with more severity, and most insecticides became ineffective. In the early 50’s quinine which is a derivative of Chinchona bark was widely used. However the discovery of synthetic anti-malarial stated to be used, and gradually, use of Quinine was discontinued. However the arrival of Chloroquine-resistant malaria in the 80’s once again sent the medical fraternity to the earlier drugs, and it was discovered that Quinine and the new wonder drug, Artesunate derived from Artemisia annua, also known as sweet wormwood was useful in complicated and drug-resistant Malaria. Traditional and herbal medicines have been used for the treatment of malaria since ancient times and today are the basis of two major drugs artemisinin and quinine derivatives for the treatment of resistant disease. Drug resistance has become a bane of anti-malarial therapies, especially the Plasmodium Falciparum variety of malaria. This coupled with the exorbitant costs of hospitalization makes it difficult for the economically weaker section of the society to get proper treatment. Artemisia annua is listed in ancient Chinese treatise as a remedy for malaria and different grades of fever. The herb contains a well established antimalarial compound artemisinin. The traditional method of treatment envisages extraction by simple tea preparation methods and the aerial parts of the plant contained 0.63– 0.70% artemisinin per dry weight, and approximately 40% of this artemisinin could be extracted. Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone endoperoxide derived from the plant Artemisia annua and has become the treatment of drug-resistant malaria. Malaria kills more than one and three million people and affects 515 million people. With the rising global temperatures, more and more countries which do not have an incidence of malaria will be facing the scourge of the 21st century. The gradual warming of temperate regions means that vectors will have more and more friendly atmosphere to propagate. Antimalarial drugs such as chloroquine which was the mainstay of treating malaria are ineffective today, and once again the medical fraternity is turning back to its roots and traditional medicines. AOR.CA