Artemisia Species and Their Active Constituents for Treating Schistosomiasis

Abstract Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease, affects millions of lives and accounts for thousands deaths each year. The Schistosoma parasites depend on two hosts during their lifecycle: snails as intermediate human beings definitive hosts. Therefore, to control ultimately eliminate schistosomiasis relies the reduction snail populations well prevention treatment infections. Praziquantel is primary drug treatment, although it considered safe efficacious, concerns exist regarding emerging resistance due mass administration. For this reason, novel antischistosomal drugs are in need genus Artemisia might be promising source. Notably, species not only have been evaluated effects against parasites, but also molluscicidal vectors. Extracts afra seem most active, with IC 50 values comparable positive control, praziquantel. antimalarial artemisinin, obtained from A. annua , its semisynthetic derivatives artemether, artesunate, artemisone both schistosomes Artemether artesunate found notably active adult juvenile stages schistosomes, whereas was shown effective treating harboring schistosomes. Artemisinin other hand combination praziquantel presents good lead curing schistosomiasis. Graphical