The Medical Value Of Artemisinin

What is Artemisinin?

Artemisinin (C15H22O5）is an organic compound. Artemisinin is a colorless needle-like crystal of sesquiterpene lactone with a peroxide group extracted from the stems and leaves of the compound inflorescence plant Artemisia annua. Pharmacologist Tu Youyou discovered it in 1971. It is a colorless needle-like crystal with a melting point of 156-157°C. It is easily soluble in chloroform, acetone, ethyl acetate and benzene, soluble in ethanol and ether, slightly soluble in cold petroleum ether, and almost insoluble in water. Because of its special peroxy group, it is thermally unstable and easily decomposed by moisture, heat and reducing substances.

Application field

Artemisinin is the most effective drug for treating malaria drug resistance. Combination therapy with artemisinin-based drugs is also the most effective and important means of treating malaria at present. With the deepening of research, more and more other effects of artemisinin have been discovered and applied, such as anti-tumor, treatment of pulmonary hypertension, anti-diabetes, embryotoxicity, anti-fungal, immune regulation, etc.

1) Anti-malarial

The peroxy bond in the artemisinin structure is oxidative and is an essential group for antimalarial. Artemisia annua can not only kill pathogenic parasites, but also has anti-schistosomiasis effect, treatment of Toxoplasma gondii infection, anti-Pneumocystis carinii effect, anti-coccidial effect and so on. Clinical trials have shown that artemisinin and its derivatives have not found any significant side effects in the treatment of malaria.

2) Antitumor

A certain dose of artemisinin can induce apoptosis of liver cancer cells, breast cancer cells, cervical cancer cells and other cancer cells, and significantly inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Artemisinin can regulate the expression of cyclin in tumor cells, enhance the effect of CKIs, and cause tumor cell cycle arrest; or induce apoptosis and inhibit tumor angiogenesis to resist the occurrence and development of tumors.

3) Treat pulmonary hypertension

Artemisinin for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension: Reduces pulmonary arterial pressure in patients with PAH by dilating blood vessels, improving symptoms.

4) Immunomodulatory

Studies have found that the dosage of artemisinin and its derivatives can better inhibit T lymphocyte mitogen without causing cytotoxicity, thereby inducing the proliferation of spleen lymphocytes in mice. This finding has a good reference value for the treatment of autoimmune diseases mediated by T lymphocytes

5) Antifungal

The antifungal effect of artemisinin also makes artemisinin show a certain antibacterial activity. Studies have confirmed that the slag powder and decoction of artemisinin have a certain bacteriostatic effect on Bacillus anthracis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella spp.

6) Anti-diabetic

Artemisinin turns glucagon-producing alpha cells into insulin-producing beta cells. Artemisinin binds to a protein called gephyrin, which activates the GABA receptor, the master switch in cell signaling, leading to the production of insulin.

7) Other application

Artemisinin is also clinically used in combination with Cordyceps sinensis, which can inhibit the recurrence of lupus nephritis and achieve the effect of protecting the kidneys. Its anti-fibrotic effect can significantly reduce the degree of fibrosis in lung tissue, and has a good practical prospect for the prevention and treatment of scars.