Recent pharmacological advances in the repurposing of artemisinin drugs

作者：Meng, Yuqing; Ma, Nan; Lyu, Haining; Wong, Yin Kwan; Zhang, Xing; Zhu, Yongping; Gao, Peng; Sun, Peng^*; Song, Yali^*; Lin, Lizhu^*; Wang, Jigang^*

来源：Medicinal Research Reviews, 2021, 41(6): 3156-3181.

DOI：10.1002/med.21837

• artemisinins
• autoimmune disorder
• cancer
• infection
• inflammation

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.

• 单位
  广州中医药大学; 1; 南方医科大学