PROGRESS IN THE RESEARCH OF ARTEMISININ-RELATED ANTIMALARIALS - AN UPDATE

Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone endoperoxide isolated from Artemisia annua L., and a number of its semisynthetic derivatives have shown to possess antimalarial properties. They are all eflective against Plasmodium parasites that are resistant to the newest and commonly used antimalarial drugs. This article gives a survey of the literature dealing with artemisinin-relaled antimalarial issues that have appeared from the end of 1989 up to the beginning of 1994. A broad range of medical and pharmaceutical disciplines is covered, including phytochemical aspects like the selection of high-producing plants, analytical procedures, and plant biotechnology. Furthermore, the organic synthesis of artemisinin derivatives is discussed, as well as their mechanism of action and antimalarial activity, metabolism and pharmacokinetics, clinical studies, sideeffects and toxicology, and biological activities other than antimalarial activity. © 1994 Royal Dutch Association for Advancement of Pharmacy.