Antimalarial Drug - Artemisia annua

Abstract

The objective of this review is to highlight the importance of anti-malarial compound artemisinin, a sesquiterpene from Chinese plant Artemisia annua L. It has been used for centuries as a folk remedy in China for the chills and fever caused by malaria. Artemisinin and its derivatives are effective against both chloroquine-resistant and sensitive strains of P. falciparum. Many derivatives of dihydroartemisinin (artemether, arteether, artesunic acid and artelinic acid) are either in use or being evaluated for use. Low yield of artemisinin in plant, increasing demand and extremely difficult synthesis in laboratory has motivated scientists worldwide to investigate an economical alternative.

Keywords: Anti-malarial; artemisinin; Artemisia annua; P. falciparum; chloroquin-resistant