Medicinal and mechanistic overview of artemisinin in the treatment of human diseases

• Published in: Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy 2023-07, Vol.163, p.114866-114866, Article 114866
• Main Authors: Posadino, Anna Maria, Giordo, Roberta, Pintus, Gianfranco, Mohammed, Soheb Anwar, Orhan, Ilkay Erdogan, Fokou, Patrick Valere Tsouh, Sharopov, Farukh, Adetunji, Charles Oluwaseun, Gulsunoglu-Konuskan, Zehra, Ydyrys, Alibek, Armstrong, Lorene, Sytar, Oksana, Martorell, Miquel, Razis, Ahmad Faizal Abdull, Modu, Babagana, Calina, Daniela, Habtemariam, Solomon, Sharifi-Rad, Javad, Cho, William C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anticancer; Antimalarials - pharmacology; Antimalarials - therapeutic use; Antimicrobial; Antioxidant; Artemisinin; Artemisinins - pharmacology; Artemisinins - therapeutic use; Humans; Malaria - drug therapy; Pharmacological mechanisms; Safety profile
• ISSN: 0753-3322; 1950-6007
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114866

Artemisinin (ART) is a bioactive compound isolated from the plant Artemisia annua and has been traditionally used to treat conditions such as malaria, cancer, viral infections, bacterial infections, and some cardiovascular diseases, especially in Asia, North America, Europe and other parts of the world. This comprehensive review aims to update the biomedical potential of ART and its derivatives for treating human diseases highlighting its pharmacokinetic and pharmacological properties based on the results of experimental pharmacological studies in vitro and in vivo. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of action, tested doses and toxic effects of artemisinin were also described. The analysis of data based on an up-to-date literature search showed that ART and its derivatives display anticancer effects along with a wide range of pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antiviral, antimalarial, antioxidant and cardioprotective effects. These compounds have great potential for discovering new drugs used as adjunctive therapies in cancer and various other diseases. Detailed translational and experimental studies are however needed to fully understand the pharmacological effects of these compounds. [Display omitted] •Artemisinin (ART) is a bioactive compound isolated from the plant Artemisia annua.•ART has a great therapeutic potential for treating human chronic diseases.•Studies confirmed the effects in malaria, cancer, viral , bacterial infections and cardiovascular diseases.•ART has potential when is used as adjunctive therapies in cancer and other diseases.