Artesunate is an anti-malarial drug and has been found to be effective against multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax malaria. Artesunate has also been found to have anti-cancer activity against leukemia and colon cancer cell lines.
| Mechanism of Action | Artesunate causes double stranded breaks in parasite DNA which leads to a buildup of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). |
| Spectrum | Artesunate is active against Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax. |
| Impurity Profile | Single impurity: Not more than 0.5% Total impurities: Not more than 2.0% |
| Molecular Formula | C19H28O8 |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water, freely soluble in ethanol, acetone, and chloroform |
| Impurity Profile | Single impurity: Not more than 0.5% Total impurities: Not more than 2.0% |
| References | Efferth, Thomas, Heather Dunstan, Axel Sauerbrey, Hayato Miyachi, and Christopher Chitambar. "The Anti-malarial Artesunate Is Also Active against Cancer." Int J Oncol International Journal of Oncology (2001): n. pag. Web. Gopalakrishnan, Anusha M., and Nirbhay Kumar. "Antimalarial Action of Artesunate Involves DNA Damage Mediated by Reactive Oxygen Species." Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 59.1 (2014): 317-25. Web. |