Abstract Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) commands a unique position among
all traditional medicines because of its 5000 years of tradition. Our own interest
in natural products from TCM was triggered in the 1990s by sesquiterpene lactones
of the artemisinin type from Artemisia annua L.
The first description of the Chinese herb Artemisia annua L. (qinghao, Sweet wormwood) dates back to 168 B.C.E. Artemisinin (qinghaosu) was identified in 1972 as the active antimalarial
constituent of Artemisia annua L. Artemisinin and its derivatives are used for the
treatment of malaria. As shown in recent years, this class of compounds also shows
activity against cancer cells, schistosomiasis, and certain viruses, i.e., human cytomegalovirus,
hepatitis B anc C virus, and bovine viral diarrhea virus.
Interestingly, the bioactivity of artemisinin seems to be even broader and also includes the
inhibition of other protozaons such as Leishmania, Trypanosoma, and Toxoplasma
gondii, as well as some trematodes, fungi, yeast, and bacteria. The analysis of its
complete profile of pharmacological activities, as well as the elucidation of molecular
modes of action and the performance of clinical trials, will further elucidate the
full potential of this versatile weapon from nature against diseases.
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