Artemisinin
Artemisinin
Artemisinin (/ɑːrtɪˈmiːsɪnɪn/), also known as qinghaosu (Chinese: 青蒿素), is a medication used to treat malaria. The compound, a sesquiterpene lactone, is derived from the plant Artemisia annua, or sweet wormwood.
Etymology
The term "artemisinin" is derived from the plant's genus name, Artemisia, which in turn is named after the Greek goddess Artemis. The Chinese name, "qinghaosu", translates to "substance of green wormwood".
Usage
Artemisinin is used in the treatment of malaria, a disease caused by parasites that enter the body through the bite of a mosquito. It is typically used in combination with other antimalarial drugs to increase its effectiveness and reduce the risk of resistance.
Related Terms
- Artemisia annua: The plant from which artemisinin is derived.
- Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT): The standard treatment for malaria, which combines artemisinin with another antimalarial drug.
- Sesquiterpene lactone: The class of organic compounds to which artemisinin belongs.
- Antimalarial medication: A type of medication used to prevent and treat malaria.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Artemisinin
- Wikipedia's article - Artemisinin
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