Artemisinins

Kamala Thriemer, Julie A. Simpson, James S. McCarthy, Ric N. Price

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Artemisinin, also known as Qinghaosu, is the active principle extract of Qinghao (Artemisia annua L.), a plant that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. The antimalarial properties of artemisinin were first reported in the Western literature in 1979 (Jiang et al., 1982). Extensive clinical studies have demonstrated that these drugs have a highly potent antimalarial activity, which, combined with a broad stage specificity of action, results in a faster clinical and parasitologic response than any other antimalarial agent in clinical use (Hien and White, 1993). Artemisinin drugs are structurally distinct from all other classes of antimalarials (China Cooperative Research Group, 1982), consisting of a peroxide within a 1,2,4-trioxane configuration. The unique feature of these compounds is the presence of a sesquiterpene lactone ring with an endoperoxide bridge that is essential for their antimalarial activity (Cumming et al., 1997) (see Figure 169.1).

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationKucers' the Use of Antibiotics
Subtitle of host publicationA Clinical Review of Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiparasitic, and Antiviral Drugs
EditorsM. Lindsay Grayson, Sara E. Cosgrove, Suzanne M. Crowe, William Hope, James S. McCarthy, John Mills, Johan W. Mouton, David L. Paterson
Place of PublicationBoca Raton
PublisherCRC Press
Chapter169
Pages2941-2963
Number of pages23
Volume3
Edition7th
ISBN (Electronic)9781498747967
ISBN (Print)9781498747950
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Artemisinins'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this