arteminisiini

Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone that is extracted from the plant Artemisia annua, commonly known as sweet wormwood. This compound is the primary source of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), which are currently the most effective treatments for malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by Plasmodium parasites. Artemisinin and its derivatives, such as artemether, artesunate, and dihydroartemisinin, have a rapid-acting schizonticidal effect, meaning they quickly kill the malaria parasite during its blood-stage development.

The discovery of artemisinin by Chinese scientist Tu Youyou in the 1970s earned her a share of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2015. Her research was inspired by ancient Chinese medicinal texts describing the use of Artemisia annua to treat fevers. Artemisinin works by generating reactive oxygen species within the parasite, which damage essential parasite proteins and membranes. Resistance to artemisinin is a growing concern, and research is ongoing to develop new antimalarial drugs and strategies to combat resistance.

Artemisinin and its derivatives are typically administered orally or intravenously. While generally well-tolerated, potential side effects can include nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. The development and widespread use of ACTs have significantly reduced malaria mortality rates worldwide, making artemisinin a crucial component of global public health efforts against this disease.