Compound Monograph
Artemisinin
Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone from sweet wormwood that is a cornerstone antimalarial drug.
Where Does It Come From? (1)
Artemisinin is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene lactone (with endoperoxide), found in Sweet wormwood. It is flagged as moderately toxic.
Research & Evidence
Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua), a herb long used in traditional Chinese medicine for fevers. Its defining feature is an unusual endoperoxide bridge, which is essential to its activity against malaria parasites. Artemisinin and its semi-synthetic derivatives are now central to artemisinin-based combination therapies, the standard first-line treatment for Plasmodium falciparum malaria, and the discovery was recognised with a Nobel Prize. It has also been investigated for other antiparasitic and anticancer activity.
Toxicity & Safety
Used as part of properly formulated combination antimalarial therapy, artemisinin derivatives are generally well tolerated, with side effects usually mild. To preserve their effectiveness and reduce the risk of resistance, they are given in combination rather than as monotherapy. Antimalarial treatment should always be directed by a clinician. Safety in pregnancy depends on the agent and trimester and is a matter for medical guidance.