Artesunate is a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin [
A2118] which is a biological active ingredient isolated from a traditional Chinese herbal medicine
Artemisia annua. Artesunate is a prodrug that is rapidly converted to its active metabolite dihydroartemisinin [
D3793]. Artesunate and its analogs have high efficacy against
Plasmodium falciparum in the blood stages of the disease. The exact mechanism of action is still not clear, while the endoperoxide (O-O) subunit of the trioxane ring is critical for antimalarial activity. Several lines of evidence indicate that the O-O bond is easily broken by Fe
2+, generating a number of reactive radicals oxidatively damage parasite. In addition, after 2000’s, the anti-tumor and antiviral activities of artesunate have been reported.
(The product is for research purpose only.)