Artemisinin, molecular weight 282.34, formerly known as Qinghaosu, basic chemical formula C₁...H₂₂O..., is a naturally-occurring quadricyclic endoperoxide sesquiterpene lactone used in the treatment of multi-drug resistant strains of "falciparum" malaria. It forms colorless, orthorhombic crystals that are soluble in alcohol, and more so in ethyl acetate. It is most frequently used as part of a combination therapy with other antimalarial drugs. It is also being investigated for the treatment of cancer.
Sources
Plasmodium Falciparum Parasites; CDC; Wikimedia Commons
For hundreds of years, the source of artemisinin has been the sweet wormwood bush, "artemisia annua." This bush was once popularly used in the production of absinthe, and currently is used to flavor some vermouth.More recently, synthesis of artemisinin and similar analogues has been undergoing investigation in the laboratory, leading to production of combination drugs, as encouraged by the World Health Organization (WHO). Such treatment is termed ACT for Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy. Biosynthetic methods are undergoing evaluation.
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