Artemisia annua, commonly known as sweet wormwood, is a medicinal plant of considerable pharmacological importance, mainly due to its content of artemisinin, the key compound in modern antimalarial therapy. The objective of this study is to provide a comparative analysis of the current uses and future perspectives of this plant in two contrasting regions: Cameroon and Romania. For a better field identification of species of phytotherapeutic interest, a concise dichotomous key was developed. The study also examines the geographical distribution, phytochemical composition, and therapeutic applications of the species. The research methodology involved an extensive review of scientific literature, focusing on the comparative assessment of uses in scholarly and traditional phytotherapy, cultivation technologies, and phytochemical characteristics. Findings indicate that in Cameroon, A. annua is primarily cultivated for artemisinin extraction, used in malaria prevention and treatment programs, while in Romania the plant is not yet fully exploited from a phytotherapeutic perspective. Phytochemical data reveal a complex composition of bioactive metabolites, such as artemisinin, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds, whose concentrations vary depending on environmental, genetic, and agronomic factors. This work contributes to a better understanding of A. annua as a strategic medicinal resource, highlighting the need for sustainable valorization of spontaneous populations. Its originality and relevance derive from the integration of ethnopharmacological knowledge with modern scientific and economic perspectives, supporting the sustainable use of A. annua in Cameroon and Romania.

Artemisia annua, artemisinin, phytochemical composition, antimalarial activity, phytotherapeutic potential, cultivation technology

biology

Presentation: poster