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The aim of this work was to develop and validate an analytical methodology for determination of artemisinin used as antimalaric. The method was based on high performace liquid chromatography, using a CN column with mobile phase composed of methanol : H2O 50:50 (V/V). The results showed that the method presented linearity from 50 to 1500 µg/mL. It was considered selective, accurate, precise according to the specific resolution from ANVISA, the Brazilian regulatory agency.

Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais Considering that the treatment toxoplasmosis are based on drugs that show limited efficacy due to their substantial side effects, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effects of Artemisia annua crude extract on Toxoplasma gondii infection. A. annua was prepared from crude extract of dried herb and tested in cell cultures or C57/BL6 mice that were infected with the parasites by comparison with sulfadiazine, a commercially available drug. Considering citotoxicity (TD50) and inhibition (TD50) values for pre-treatment of parasites, the therapeutic index (TI) was determined. The A. annua crude extract showed a higher value (TI = 544.5) as compared to sulfadiazine (TI = 194.4). When treatment of human fibroblasts with drugs was performed after T. gondii infection, TI of both drugs was similar. In vivo experiments with cystogenic parasite strain demonstrated that an effective control of infection by using A. annua crude extract. In conclusion, our results indicate a potential use of A. annua crude extract to control T. gondii infection, due to its low toxicity and its inhibitory action directly against the parasite, resulting in a well tolerated therapeutic tool. Considerando que o tratamento da toxoplasmose é baseado em drogas que apresentam uma limitada eficácia devido aos seus substanciais efeitos colaterais, a proposta do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do extrato total de Artemisia annua in vitro e in vivo, na infecção por Toxoplasma gondii. O extrato total de A. annua foi preparado a partir de partes aéreas da erva seca, e testado em cultura celular ou em camundongos C57/BL6 que foram infectados com o parasito, em comparação ao tratamento com sulfadiazina, uma droga comercial existente. Considerando valores de citotoxicidade (DT50) e de inibição (DT50) para o pré-tratamento dos parasitos com A. annua foi determinado um índice terapêutico (IT). O extrato total de A. annua apresentou maior valor (IT= 544,5) quando comparado com a sulfadiazina (IT= 194,4). Quando o tratamento de fibroblastos humanos com as drogas foi realizado após a infecção com T. gondii, IT de ambas as drogas foram similares. Em experimentos in vivo utilizando cepa cistogênica do parasito foi demonstrado um eficiente controle da infecção pela utilização de extrato total de A. annua. Em conclusão, nossos resultados indicam uma potencial utilização do extrato total de A. annua no controle da infecção por T. gondii devido a sua baixa citotoxicidade e sua ação inibitória diretamente contra o parasito, resultando em uma ferramenta terapêutica bem tolerada. Mestre em Imunologia e Parasitologia Aplicadas

Malaria is still one of the major diseases in the world, causing physical and economic problems in tropical regions. Artemisinin (Qinghaosu), a natural compound identified in Artemisia annua L. , is an effective drug mainly against cerebral malaria. The action of this drug is immediate and parasitaemia in the treatment of drug-resistant malaria is rapidily reduced, justifying the industrial production of artemisinin. This article focuses on the industrial production of this potent antimalarial drug, including strategies for enhancing yield using inexpensive and easy steps.