A severe case of Plasmodium falciparum malaria imported by a French traveler from Cameroon to French Guiana despite regular intake of Artemisia annua herbal tea

ABSTRACT The use of herbal tea with Artemisia annua by travelers and traditional communities in Africa has increased in recent years as a supposed form of malaria prophylaxis, although its use is not recommended due to lack of efficacy. The risk of severe malaria complications that can lead to death is real regarding said behavior, and awareness needs to be raised. We report a case of severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria imported in the Amazon rainforest by a traveler returning from Cameroon who treated himself with Artemisia annua herbal tea.

Prevalence and factors associated with tea consumption in the first month of life in a birth cohort in the Northeast Region of Brazil / Prevalência e fatores associados ao uso de chá no primeiro mês de vida em uma coorte de nascimento na Região Nordeste do Brasil

Abstract Objectives: to determine the prevalence and analyze the factors associated with newborns drinking tea in a birth cohort. Methods: A cross-sectional study with nested prospective cohort was conduct with 329 puerperal women and their newborns in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia. Sociodemographic and information about the newborn's diet and mothers/babies was obtained at a maternity and 30 days after birth, at home visits. The prevalence ratios (PR) and its respective confidence intervals (CI95%) were estimated with Poisson regression models according to the hierarchical conceptual model. Results: the prevalence of tea consumption up to 30 days of life was 34.6% (CI95%=29.7; 40.0%). The sociodemographic and maternal characteristics associated with the outcome were not having a partner (PR = 1.39; CI95%=1.03-1.88), more than eight years of schooling (PR=1.38; CI95%=1.03-1.84), lower income (PR=2.21; CI95%=1.31-3.73), primiparous (PR=1.48; CI95%=1.01-2.17) and does not have any experience with breastfeeding before (PR=2.25; CI95%=1.48-3.41). As for the child, there was a higher prevalence of tea consumption than among those who received artificial milk in the first month of life (PR= 2.10; CI95%=1.62-2.73). Conclusions: the offer of tea in the first month of life was high. Tea consumption was positively associated with sociodemographic, maternal and newborn feeding factors.

Resumo Objetivos: determinar a prevalência e analisar fatores associados ao uso de chá em recém-nascidos em uma coorte de nascimento. Métodos: estudo transversal aninhado a uma coorte prospectiva conduzida em 329 puérperas e recém-nascidos em Vitória da Conquista, Bahia. Informações sociodemográficas, relativas à alimentação do recém-nascido e relacionadas aos pares mães-bebês foram obtidas na maternidade e aos 30 dias de nascimento, durante visita domiciliar. As razões de prevalência (RP) e seus respectivos intervalos de confiança (IC95%) foram estimados em modelos de regressão de Poisson conforme modelo conceitual hierárquico. Resultados: a prevalência do uso de chá até os 30 dias de vida foi de 34,6% (IC95%=29,7; 40,0%). As características sociodemográficas e maternas associadas ao desfecho foram não possuir companheiro (RP = 1,39; IC95%= 1,03-1,88), ter até oito anos de estudo (RP=1,38; IC95%= 1,03-1,84), menor renda (RP = 2,21; IC95%= 1,31-3,73), ser primípara (RP=1,48; IC95%= 1,01-2,17) e não possuir experiência anterior com amamentação (RP=2,25; IC95%= 1,48-3,41). Quanto à criança, houve maior prevalência de uso de chá entre as que receberam leite artificial no primeiro mês de vida (RP = 2,10; IC95%=1,62-2,73). Conclusões: a oferta do chá no primeiro mês de vida foi elevada. O uso do chá associou-se positivamente a fatores sociodemográficos, maternos e da alimentação do recém-nascido.

Simultaneous HPTLC quantification of three caffeoylquinic acids in Pluchea indica leaves and their commercial products in Thailand

ABSTRACT In Thai traditional medicine, Pluchea indica (L.) Less., Asteraceae, leaf has been widely used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, tumors, hypertension, cystitis, and wounds. P. indica herbal tea is commercially available in Thailand as a health-promoting drink. The study was conducted to develop and validate a high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method for the quantitative analysis of chlorogenic acid, 3,4-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid in P. indica leaf extract and their commercial products in Thailand. The method was validated according to ICH guidelines. The proposed HPTLC method showed acceptable validation parameters. The content of chlorogenic acid, 3,4-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid in P. indica leaves from seven different provinces in Thailand was in the range of not detectable −1.94 ± 0.02%w/w, 0.71 ± 0.01-1.89 ± 0.05%w/w, and 1.00 ± 0.01-2.18 ± 0.03%w/w, respectively, while in the commercial products, it was in the range of 0.59 ± 0.03-2.17 ± 0.05%w/w, 0.53 ± 0.04-3.77 ± 0.03%w/w, and 0.88 ± 0.05-4.72 ± 0.10%w/w, respectively. The results indicated that plantation of P. indica in coastal saline land would be beneficial as it would increase the concentration of its active compounds and improve its medicinal quality. The developed high-performance thin-layer chromatography could be used as a rapid, reliable, less demanding, and cost-effective analytical method.

Investigation of twelve trace elements in herbal tea commercialized in Brazil.

In this study twelve trace elements were investigated in herbal tea commercialized in Brazil. Boldo, Chamomile, Mate and Peppermint tea samples were acquired in Brazil local markets and both herbs and their infusions were evaluated. Trace elements were classified in two groups: poorly (Al, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Fe, Pb and Se) and moderately (Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn) extractable. This patterned showed that even levels above threshold established by Brazilian and MERCOSUR regulations were observed in herbal tea (Cd and Pb in 89% and 78% of mate and peppermint tea samples, respectively), their infusions did not presented toxic levels. The estimative of exposure and dietary intake revealed important values for a daily consumption of a single cup of herbal infusion and an unique composition was also verified for herbal tea samples: although age and origin was unavailable, multivariate analysis classified the samples in four distinct groups.