Review of the use of artemisinin and its derivatives in the treatment of malaria

This article reviews the development of the artemisinins used in the treatment of drug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The story starts in China with Artemisia annua L., a plant that was traditionally used as an antipyretic. The activity of Annual wormwood can be explained by the presence of the active substance artemisinin. Soon, artemether, artemotil, artenimol, artesunate and sodium artesunate, derivatives of artemisinin, have been developed. Each has its own physical and pharmaceutical properties, dosage and dosage forms. Other aspects, such as the general guidelines for use, safety during pregnancy and the perspectives of artemisinin compounds, are being discussed.