Artemisia Extracts and Artemisinin-Based Antimalarials for COVID-19 Management: Could These Be Effective Antivirals for COVID-19 Treatment?

Molecules. 2022 Jun 14;27(12):3828. doi: 10.3390/molecules27123828.

Abstract

As the world desperately searches for ways to treat the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a growing number of people are turning to herbal remedies. The Artemisia species, such as A. annua and A. afra, in particular, exhibit positive effects against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and COVID-19 related symptoms. A. annua is a source of artemisinin, which is active against malaria, and also exhibits potential for other diseases. This has increased interest in artemisinin's potential for drug repurposing. Artemisinin-based combination therapies, so-called ACTs, have already been recognized as first-line treatments against malaria. Artemisia extract, as well as ACTs, have demonstrated inhibition of SARS-CoV-2. Artemisinin and its derivatives have also shown anti-inflammatory effects, including inhibition of interleukin-6 (IL-6) that plays a key role in the development of severe COVID-19. There is now sufficient evidence in the literature to suggest the effectiveness of Artemisia, its constituents and/or artemisinin derivatives, to fight against the SARS-CoV-2 infection by inhibiting its invasion, and replication, as well as reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, and mitigating lung damage.

Keywords: Artemisia; COVID-19; antiviral; artemisinins; drug repurposing.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Retracted Publication

MeSH terms

  • Antimalarials* / pharmacology
  • Antimalarials* / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Artemisia annua*
  • Artemisia*
  • Artemisinins* / pharmacology
  • Artemisinins* / therapeutic use
  • COVID-19 Drug Treatment*
  • Humans
  • Malaria* / drug therapy
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Artemisinins
  • Plant Extracts

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.