Liver disease due to chronic alcohol consumption accounts for the majority of the causes of death for alcoholics. Thus there is an urgent need for an efficient drug to relieve alcoholic liver injury. 

A study investigated the protective effect of artemisinin against chronic alcohol consumption, utilizing 50 male Kunming mice. The experimental mice were randomized into 5 groups as-

• control group (C) who were given 10 ml/kg saline + 10 ml/kg saline, 
• alcohol group (A) who were given 10 ml/kg 56%(v/v) alcohol + 10 ml/kg saline, 
• low dose group of artemisinin (L) who were given 10 ml/kg 56%(v/v) alcohol + 30 mg/kg/day artemisinin (orally), 
• medium dose group of artemisinin (M) who were given 10 ml/kg 56%(v/v) alcohol + 60 mg/kg/day artemisinin (orally),  
• high dose group of artemisinin (H) who were given 10 ml/kg 56%(v/v) alcohol + 120 mg/kg/day artemisinin (orally). 

Mice were closely observed and serum AST and ALT levels were evaluated after treatment with drugs for 30 days. Furthermore, liver weight index and histopathological analysis were also done. 

The following observations were made-

• A marked improvement in the elevated AST and ALT levels in plasma, and the liver weight index was observed on treatment with a high dose of artemisinin.
• Group A demonstrated loss of body weight, tissue injury, oedema and inflammatory cell infiltration in the hepatocytes.
• While groups treated with artemisinin showed marked alleviation of these symptoms. 
• Artemisinin inhibits the activation of NF-кB and the expression of nitric oxide synthase, generated by inflammatory cytokines. 
• Along with this, it also improves the stability of the liver cell membrane and diminishes liver cell membrane damage and liver cells. 

Thus, Artemisinin demonstrated its potential protective effect against chronic alcohol poisoning and thus can be applied clinically to treat alcohol-induced liver injury.

Source- Zhao X, Wang L, Zhang H, Zhang D, Zhang Z, Zhang J. Protective effect of artemisinin on chronic alcohol induced-liver damage in mice, Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology,2017; 52:221-226. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2017.04.008.