Esquistosomiasis

An acute and chronic illness, common in developing countries, caused by parasitic worms of the Schistosoma genus in infected water.
Every year more than 250 million people require treatment and another 800 million are at risk, causing a heavy economic burden on these countries. Currently it is mostly treated using Praziquantel, but reports suggest resistance to this monotherapy is increasing. Phase 3 clinical trials are evaluating artemisinin and its derivatives dihydroartemisinin, artemether and artesunate to treat Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium parasites in combination with other molecules.

References:

• Gold et al., 2017;
• Elmorshedy et al., 2016;
• Saeed et al. 2016;
• Sokolow et al., 2016;
• Liu et al., 2014;
• Zhang et al. 2014.

Parasitemia

Parasitemia refers to the presence of parasites in the bloodstream. The primary causing parasites are found within the genera Plasmodium (also causal of malaria) and Tripanosoma, causative of trypanosomiasis such as American Trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) and African trypanosomiasis (African sleeping sickness). Clinical trials already at stage 4 suggest Artemisia annua leaf extracts are highly effective to treat these parasites.

References:

• Raffetin et al., 2018;
• Loo et al., 2017;
• Olivera et al., 2015;
• Ho et al., 2014;
• Kappagoda et al., 2011;
• Krishna et al., 2008.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, an intracellular parasite. Toxoplasmosis can cause mild and asymptomatic infections, but become potentially serious when affecting the immunocompromised such as HIV patients who are not on effective antiretroviral therapy; as well as causing congenital toxoplasmosis, a potential mortal infection affecting foetuses. Both artemisinin and its derivatives (in completed phase 3 trials) as well as other components of Artemisia annua leaves have shown to have high potential to treat this parasitic disease.

References:

• Chorlton, 2017;
• Loo et al., 2017;
• Mikaeilov et al., 2016;
• Rostkowska et al., 2016;
• Schultz et al., 2014;
• Gomes et al., 2012.