Abstract
Artesunate, one of the derivatives of artemisinin (“qinghaosu” in Chinese), is known as an antimalarial drug with high efficiency and low toxicity. Of interest, emerging evidences suggest that artesunate also possesses an immunomodulatory effect during innate and adaptive immune responses in cell types and context-dependent manner. Although it shows promising application in many diseases, such as inflammatory diseases, hypersensitivity, autoimmune diseases, and cancers, little is known about underlying molecular. In this review, we summarize recent advances of how artesunate regulates innate and adaptive immune cells. In addition, its potential application in immune-related diseases is also highlighted.
Highlights
Artesunate is a semisynthetic derivative of artemisinin (“qinghaosu” in Chinese), the active component of Artemisia annua
These results provide a new proof for artesunate to treat autoantibody-mediated autoimmune diseases
Artesunate has an immunomodulatory effect on various immune cells and cytokines of immune system, but it shows different regulatory effects in different immune states
Summary
Artesunate is a semisynthetic derivative of artemisinin (“qinghaosu” in Chinese), the active component of Artemisia annua. Due to its rapid onset, high efficiency, and low toxicity, artesunate was approved as a new antimalarial drug by the Chinese Ministry of Health in 1987 [1]. Artesunate was reported to be effective for the treatment of cerebral malaria [2]. Autoimmunity is a critical pathogenic process of cerebral malaria. Artesunate may display immunomodulatory function in addition to the clearance of malaria parasites, which has been exclusively studied for decades. We review the studies of functions of artesunate in specific immune cells including its potential application in treating immune-pathology diseases (Tables 1 and 2)
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