Mechanism of Action

Artesunate is a hemisuccinate derivative of dihydroartemisinin, which is itself formed by the reduction of artemisinin. The mechanism of action of artemisinins probably involves the cleavage of the internal endoperoxide bridge by reaction with a haem inside the infected erythrocyte, thus generating free radicals which alkylate the vital proteins of the parasite. However, it has also been reported that artemisinins inhibit an essential parasite, adenosine triphosphatase calcium.