已发表论文

青蒿素类抗疟疾药物的再利用:从抗疟疾到泛治疗药物的药理学前景与治疗挑战

 

Authors Wu D, Zeng H, Tan J, Xu Q, Khan FA, Pandupuspitasari NS, Yang S, Huang C 

Received 6 June 2025

Accepted for publication 28 September 2025

Published 11 October 2025 Volume 2025:19 Pages 9199—9226

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/DDDT.S545163

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 2

Editor who approved publication: Dr Muzammal Hussain

Di Wu,1,* Hong Zeng,2,* Jiachen Tan,1 Qinzheng Xu,1,3 Faheem Ahmed Khan,4 Nuruliarizki Shinta Pandupuspitasari,5 Shengqiang Yang,2 Chunjie Huang1 

1School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Basic Medicine, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, 533000, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, People’s Republic of China; 4Research Center for Animal Husbandry, National Research and Innovation Agency, Jakarta Pusat, 10340, Indonesia; 5Faculty of Animal and Agricultural Sciences, Universitas Diponegoro, Semarang, 50275, Indonesia

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Shengqiang Yang, Email 1243884393@qq.com Chunjie Huang, Email goodlife.huang@ntu.edu.cn

Abstract: The sourcing of pharmaceutical agents from natural products remains a cornerstone of drug discovery. For millennia, herbal remedies have served as foundational therapeutic interventions, yet their mechanisms of action often remain elusive. Artemisinin (ART, or “Qinghaosu”) and its derivatives, collectively known as ARTs, exemplify this paradigm. Originating from traditional Chinese medicine, these well-established antimalarial compounds exhibit potent cytotoxicity, positioning them as promising anti-cancer agents. ARTs operate through multiple cancer cell-intrinsic mechanisms and demonstrate synergistic effects with conventional therapies, even against chemoresistant malignancies. Beyond oncology, the therapeutic portfolio of ART-based drugs is rapidly expanding. This review synthesizes recent advancements in the application of ARTs for treating various cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, and reproductive disorders. Furthermore, we explore the frontier of ART drug development, focusing on the rational design of ART-derived molecular hybrids and the engineering of nano-enabled delivery systems. These innovative strategies are pivotal for enhancing anti-cancer efficacy and achieving cancer-specific targeting. Ultimately, this work aims to guide the innovation of ART-based precision medicine, revitalizing the exploration and development of natural products in modern pharmacotherapy.

Keywords: artemisinin, malignancy, neurodegenerative disease, reproductive disorder, drug delivery