Recent pharmacological advances in the repurposing of artemisinin drugs
Yuqing Meng, Nan Ma, Haining Lyu, Yin Kwan Wong, Xing Zhang, Yongping Zhu, Peng Gao, Peng Sun, Yali Song, Lizhu Lin, Jigang Wang
Abstract
Artemisinins are a family of sesquiterpene lactones originally derived from the sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua). Beyond their well-characterized role as frontline antimalarial drugs, artemisinins have also received increased attention for other potential pharmaceutical effects, which include antiviral, antiparsitic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities. With concerted efforts in further preclinical and clinical studies, artemisinin-based drugs have the potential to be viable treatments for a great variety of human diseases. Here, we provide a comprehensive update on recent reports of pharmacological actions and applications of artemisinins outside of their better-known antimalarial role and highlight their potential therapeutic viability for various diseases.