Artemisinin Herbal Extract Cures Malaria, Breast Cancer and Leukemia

Artemisia annua (Sweet Wormwood, Sweet Annie, Sweet Sagewort 1) herb is a tropical plant used to treat malaria and is toxic against breast cancer and prostate cancer. Also, the herb has shown favorable pre-clinical results against leukemia and other cancer cells. 2 The herbal plant has bright yellow flowers and camphor smell scent. The average height of Artemisia annu two millimeters tall with a single stem and leaves 2.5 - 5 centimeters length. 2 "The Chinese call the plant Qinghao (artemisia annua) and have long used it for a multitude of medicinal uses." Artemisia annu dates back to 168 BC, suggested treatment for hemorrhoids. During the past two millennia Sweet Annie formidable treated fevers. Many flower arrangements, floral wreaths and ornamental decorations display Sweet Annie. 3 Artemisia annua native herb plant of China and Vietnam, as well grown in East Africa. The Indonesia government developed large scale cultivation of the herb, recognizing the importance of the herb main ingredient, treatment against multi-drug-resistant strains of falciparum malaria. 5 Main ingredient in Artemisia annua Swiss drug-maker incorporates to produce ant-malaria drug. 1

Most dangerous type of malaria (infectious disease) is falciparum transmitted by female mosquitoes. 4 Falciparum malaria causes up to 400 million infections and more than a million deaths a year. 1 Victims of falciparum malaria endure a rapidly high fever, as a result frequently lose consciousness and die of brain damage. 6

In 1972 scientists discovered an active ingredient to combat malaria, artemisinin ("formerly referred to as arteannuin) extract of Atremisia annua herb plant: Extraction process occurs when the herb plant is boiled (Leaves and stems. The concentration of artemisinin located in upper portion of the plant) to a low point. 2 "A single dose of any artemisinin derovative given rectally is better at clearing parasites after 24 hours than a conventional injection of the older drug quinine for people with severe malaria. " 1 Scientists have not concussively determined artemisia tea is effective to treat malaria, compared to developing the main ingredient of the herb plant for commercialize pharmaceutical application. 2

Swiss Drug - maker Novartis manufactures and supplies Coartem: During the past nine years Coartem most effect anti - malaria drug on the market (Not-for-profit basis, price per treatment .80 cents 7) containing the extract artemisinin (one of two active ingredients 8) 7 Coartem drug has ninety-five percent cure rate to treat malaria, and multi-drug resistance. 8 Novartis teamed up with Kenya's East African Botanicals group increase cultivation of artemisia annua plant and extraction of artemisinin. Prior to 2005, limited supply of artemisia limited to remote mountain regions of China. Coartem has saved more than 550,000 lives. 8 Preventing malaria equally as important to provide treatment for malaria, manufactures of Wormwood extracts suggest taking whole bottle of (approximately 150 mg artemisinin), traveling to areas where malaria is present. 12 "The entire process of making Coartem takes approximately 14 months from planting of seeds to final production of the medicine." 9

In January 2009, Novartis reported development (after four years of research 7) first pediatric dose of Coartem (Coartem Dispersible) (10) - "less bitter and easier to swallow than the adult version." 8 Coartem Dispersible received regulatory approval for dispensing, fourteen countries in Africa. "Africa bears the overwhelming burden of malaria." Statistically every thirty seconds one child dies of malaria. 10 Novartis expects pediatric Coartem eventually eradicate childhood malaria. 8

Bioengineering researchers Professor Henry Lai and assistant research Professor Narendra Singh discovered extract chemical properties of Artemisia attacked breast cancer cells. In 2001, published in issue of the journal Life Sciences, study confirmed within sixteen hours, after human breast cancer cells were exposed to Artemisia been eradicated. "Professor Lai said: "It's highly toxic to the cancer cells but has a marginal impact on normal breast cells." 3

Chemical reaction takes place when artemisinin comes in contact with malaria and cancer cells. Malaria and cancer cells (not normal healthy cells) have high iron concentrations. 3 Iron is essential in cancer cells to replicate DNA when dividing or metastasize according to Professor Lai. 11 "When artemisinin comes into contact with iron, a chemical reaction ensures, spawning charged atoms that chemists call "free radicals." The free radicals attack cell membranes breaking them apart and killing the single cell parasite (same for cancer cells)." Study confirmed high concentration of iron in leukemia cells could be targeted and killed by artemisinin, within eight hours of treatment. Professor Lai explained: "Leukemia cells can have more than 1,000 times the concentration of iron that normal cell have." 3

Future may hold for cancer patients take non-toxic pill composed of artemisinin, treatment and cure for breast cancer and leukemia. 11

References:

1.) Artemisia annua by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Artemisia annus herb information - http://www.raysahelian.com/artemisiaannua.html

2.) Artemisia annua - http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Artemisia_annua

3.) Artemisa annua: an old treatment for malaria - a new treatment for cancer - http://www.denvernaturopathic.com/news/artemisia.html

4.) Plasmodium falciparum - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasmodium_falciparum

5.) INDONESIA: Home-grown Artemisinin to boost malaria fight - http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/7561d79c9a1e50e460199a5c925907a6.htm

6.) Falciparum Malaria - http://grunt.space.swri.edu/malaria.htm

7.) A Better Deal on Malaria - http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1882004,00.html?xid=rss-business

8.) Novartis partners with East African Botanicals to expand cultivation and extraction of natural ingredient used in anti-malarial Coartem - http://www.npicenter.com/anm/templates/newsATemp.aspx?articleid=12640&zoneid=22

9.) Novartis announces initiative to improve access to state-of-the-art anti-malarial treatment Coartem - http://www.corporatecitizenship.novartis.com/news/2007-01-09_coartem.shtml

10.) Unique collaboration launches a new malaria medicine to save millions of children - http://www.mmv.org/article.php3?id_article=572

11.) Wormwood is the Basis for a Cancer-fighting Pill - http://www.cancersalves.com/botanical_approaches/individual_herbs/wormwood.html

12.) Wormwood - http://www.digitalnaturopath.com/treat/T225441.html