A systematic review of the pharmacological properties of Artemisia afra (African wormwood): A literature-based systematic review design.

Abstract

Background
Artemisia afra (African wormwood) is widely used in African traditional medicine for treating respiratory infections, fever, gastrointestinal disorders, and inflammatory conditions. In recent years, scientific interest has increased in validating its phytochemical composition, pharmacological properties, and therapeutic relevance. This systematic review evaluated published evidence on the phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and clinical relevance of A. afra to determine the extent to which traditional uses are supported by scientific research.

 Methods
A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2025 were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar using predefined search terms related to Artemisia afra and its pharmacological activities. Eligible studies included phytochemical analyses, in vitro and in vivo experimental studies, toxicological investigations, and limited clinical trials. Articles lacking experimental data or not published in English were excluded. The level of evidence of included studies was classified, with most evidence derived from preclinical laboratory studies (Level III–IV) and a small number of pilot clinical studies (Level II). Data were extracted and synthesised narratively.

 Results
A total of 47 studies met the inclusion criteria. Phytochemical analyses consistently identified flavonoids, terpenoids, essential oils, and phenolic compounds as major constituents. Experimental studies demonstrated antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimalarial, antifungal, and bronchodilator activities. In vivo studies supported efficacy in respiratory and malaria models, while toxicological evidence indicated low adverse effects at traditional dosage ranges. However, human clinical evidence remains limited.

 Conclusion
Available scientific evidence supports several traditional uses of Artemisia afra, particularly for respiratory and inflammatory conditions. Nonetheless, higher-level clinical evidence is required.

 Recommendation
Future research should focus on well-designed clinical trials, standardised dosing, and safety evaluation to support evidence-based integration into healthcare systems.