Artemisia annua, possible treatment against Covid-19 : Status report on research
WHO indicates that Artemisia annua, traditionally used against malaria, is considered as a possible treatment for Covid-19 (see Press release May 4, 2020).
A dozen international research laboratories have decided to conduct trials on this medicinal plant to evaluate its efficacy and possible adverse effects.
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion Salvador Zubiran, Mexico
Launch of a large-scale clinical study on 360 Covid-19 patients with co-morbidities (diabetes, obesity, hypertension…) in September 2020.
The aim of the clinical trial is to establish whether Artemisia annua prevents hospitalization or serious illness. Description of the clinical study
- Institut Max Planck (18 Nobel Prizes), Germany
“The Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam (Germany) will collaborate with ArtemiLife Inc., a US based company and medical researchers in Denmark and Germany to test Artemisia annua plant extract and artemisinin derivatives in laboratory cell studies against the novel coronavirus Sars-CoV-2.”. Press release Max Planck Institute, April 8, 2020
According to Prof. Peter Seeberger, Director at the Max Planck Institute, a multi-prize winning chemist :
“The tests are very promising. The substances [from Artemisia annua] prepare the body and reduce the viral load of Covid-19. ».
Arte Documentary September 2020
- Mateon Therapeutics, California, USA
The laboratory has shown strong in vitro activity to inhibit the coronavirus that causes Covid-19. It has initiated an in vivo study to establish the efficacy of artemisinin as an affordable first-line treatment in India.
Press Releases:
– Mateon expands its Covid-19 therapeutic program to include artemisinin, April 8th, 2020
– Mateon Therapeutics to fund observational studies of Artemisinin in developing countries, July 13th, 2020
– Patient Enrollment in India, Sept 14th, 2020
- North West University, South Africa
“We are raising funds to scientifically investigate the potential to develop Artemisia into an effective treatment of COVID 19. All funds will be managed by North-West University.”, Prof Frank van der Kooy. Presentation of research progress
- University of Kentucky, USA
“The University of Kentucky and UK Markey Cancer Center are delighted to continue our collaboration with ArtemiLife to study this Kentucky-grown Artemisia annua as a potential treatment for patients with COVID infections”. Press release University of Kentucky, June 25, 2020
- University Of California-Santa Clara, USA
“The team has selected a list of priority botanicals for deep analysis, focusing on several well-known natural products that have been used for anti-inflammatory effects or for enhancing the immune system. The list includes sweet Annie (Artemisia annua, also called sweet wormwood)”. Press release University Of California, July 8, 2020
La Maison de l’Artemisia has become the most documented specialist of issues concerning these plants and is in contact with all key players (agronomic, medical, societal, etc.).
La Maison de l’Artemisia is a French humanitarian association working to fight malaria with Artemisia annua and afra, targeting the most vulnerable populations. These two plants have been used in Traditional Medicine for centuries in China and East Africa.
Its mission is twofold :
– accelerate research into Artemisia herbal tea
– oversee and develop its sustainable production in malaria-endemic countries through a network of Houses of Artemisia, centres of expertise which coordinate knowledge and distribution of the plant.
