Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT)

Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) is a treatment for malaria that combines artemisinin with other antimalarial drugs to enhance efficacy and reduce resistance.

  • Artemisinin combination therapy Provide rapid clearance of parasite providing relief.
  • This therapy is recommended by WHO as the first line treatment for uncomplicated malaria.
  • Various ACTs are available namely artemether-lumefanterine and artesunate-mefloquine that provides flexibility in treatment based on regional resistance patterns and patent tolerance for a regional parasite.

Uses of Artemisinin – Structure and Mode of Action

Artemisinin is a bioactive compound obtained from the leaves of a sweet wormwood plant known as Artemisia annua. It is a sesquiterpene endoperoxidase. Understanding Artemisinin uses and Artemisinin structure is crucial for appreciating its role in medicine.

In this article, we will cover Artemisinin mechanism of action, derivatives, and biological sources along with Artemisinin Combination Therapy in detail.

Table of Content

  • What is Artemisinin?
  • Chemical Nature of Artemisinin
  • Structure of Artemisinin
  • Derivatives of Artemisinin
  • Isolation and Extraction of Artemisinin
    • (a) Extraction
    • (b) Isolation & purification
  • Uses of Artemisinin
  • Artemisinin Mechanism of Action
  • Challenges and Concerns Related to Artemisinin
  • Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT)

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What is Artemisinin?

Artemisinin was first discovered by Tu Youyou in 1972, as an antimalarial drug, earning her the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2015. Artemisinin combination therapies (ACTs) are recognised worldwide as a standard treatment against the unicellular eukaryote Plasmodium falciparum that causes malaria....

Artemisinin Uses

Some of the major uses of Artemisinin are:...

Artemisinin Mechanism of Action

The Artemisinin mechanism of action is discussed below:...

Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT)

Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) is a treatment for malaria that combines artemisinin with other antimalarial drugs to enhance efficacy and reduce resistance....

Structure of Artemisinin

Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone featuring a unique peroxide bridge (a 1,2,4-trioxane ring) which is crucial for its antimalarial activity. The molecule is derived from the plant Artemisia annua and has a complex structure with multiple chiral centers. This peroxide bridge is responsible for generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) when it interacts with iron in the malaria parasite, leading to the destruction of the parasite. The structural complexity of artemisinin makes it effective but also presents challenges in synthetic production....

Chemical Nature of Artemisinin

Artemisinin belongs to the sesquiterpene lactones group which are distinguished by their chemical structure that has an endoperoxide 1,2,4-trioxane ring. This is pivotal for its efficacy as an antimalarial agent. Some of the information of the compound is mention in the table below:...

Artemisinin Derivatives

Derivatives of artemisinin used to treatment of malaria are:...

Isolation and Extraction of Artemisinin

Artemisinin is obtained from the leaves of the plant and the isolation and extraction process is as follows:...

Challenges and Concerns Related to Artemisinin

Drug Resistance: Emergence of resistance of the parasite to artemisinin and its derivatives threatens malaria control efforts, and also reducing treatment effectiveness. Monotherapy discouragement: WHO discourages artemisinin monotherapy due to resistance risks. Cost and access: ACTs, though effective, can be costly and inaccessible in some areas, especially in poor areas with high malaria cases. Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics: It has poor bioavailability and pharmacokinetics which affects efficacy and dosing different patient groups. Sustainability: Addresses issues like cultivation and supply chain management....

Conclusion

Artemisinin, a compound extracted from the leaves of Artemisia annua, originating from traditional Chinese medicine, plays an important role in treating malaria. Despite its success, there are challenges such as drug resistance by the parasite, demanding research and vigilance in this area. Apart from treating malaria, artemisinin has shown promising results in treating other infections, such as cancer, and autoimmune diseases. In navigating global health issues, artemisinin innovation and resilience emphasizes on the transformative potential of scientific discovery for a healthier population....

FAQs on Artemisinin

What is the Use of Artemisinin?...