artêmisinina

Artemisinina is a naturally occurring compound isolated from the plant Artemisia annua, commonly known as sweet wormwood. This plant has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fevers. Artemisinina and its derivatives, collectively known as artemisinins, are a class of drugs that have become a cornerstone of malaria treatment. Their potent antimalarial activity stems from their unique endoperoxide bridge, which under the influence of iron released by the malaria parasite, generates reactive oxygen species. These species are toxic to the parasite, leading to its death.

The discovery and development of artemisinins have been credited with significantly reducing malaria mortality and morbidity worldwide. Artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) are the recommended first-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria by the World Health Organization. These combinations involve using an artemisinin derivative alongside another antimalarial drug to prevent the development of drug resistance. While highly effective, concerns about emerging resistance to artemisinins themselves are a subject of ongoing research and surveillance. Beyond malaria, artemisinins are also being investigated for their potential in treating other diseases, including certain cancers and viral infections, though these applications are still in the research phase.