CHINESE JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY AND PARASITIC DISEASES ›› 2022, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (1): 114-120.doi: 10.12140/j.issn.1000-7423.2022.01.018

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A discussion on the broad-spectrum and potential mechanism of artemisinin and its derivatives

LIU Chuang1(), SI Wen-wen2, ZHANG Yin2, LIU Rong2, LIU Yi2, OUYANG Rui-zhuo1, SUN Jun2,*()   

  1. 1 School of Health Science and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
    2 Institute for Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Development, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
  • Received:2021-07-24 Revised:2021-09-07 Online:2022-02-28 Published:2022-01-14
  • Contact: SUN Jun E-mail:chuang194@126.com;swksj@tongji.edu.cn
  • Supported by:
    Innovation Program of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission(201901070007E00017)

Abstract:

Artemisinin and its derivatives have unique efficacies in treating of malaria and schistosomiasis, and have potential in the treatment and prevention of other diseases. Increasing evidences have shown that artemisinin and its derivatives have sophisticated functions, and their broad-spectrum characteristics are attracting attention. This article summarizes the existing research on the application of artemisinin class drugs in parasitic protozoa, and parasitic worms, viruses, bacteria, fungi, insects, plants, and other diseases such as cancer and discusses the potential mechanisms behind the broad functions of artemisinin and its derivatives, based on the broad spectrum characteristics of artemisinin class drugs, and their antimalarial, anti-schistosomiasis and antitumor activities through iron or heme.

Key words: Artemisinin, Artemisinin derivatives, Mechanism

CLC Number: