1996•Microbiological ReviewsOpen access
Artemisinin and the antimalarial endoperoxides: from herbal remedy to targeted chemotherapy
Steven R. Meshnick, Terrie Ellen Taylor, Sumalee Kamchonwongpaisan
Open full text 590 citations
Abstract
Artemisinin and its derivatives are endoperoxide-containing compounds which represent a promising new class of antimalarial drugs. In the presence of intraparasitic iron, these drugs are converted into free radicals and other electrophilic intermediates which then alkylate specific malaria target proteins. Combinations of available derivatives and other antimalarial agents show promise both as first-line agents and in the treatment of severe disease.