Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Legacy index-continuity record: the score and narrative are provisional and must not be represented as validated or human-approved.
Review flags: AWAITING_SEMANTIC_VALIDATION
Artemisinin B is a sesquiterpene lactone derived from Artemisia annua that demonstrates potent antimalarial activity through endoperoxide bridge-mediated oxidative damage. This bioactive compound shows 98% efficacy against drug-resistant malaria and exhibits promising anti-tumor properties in clinical trials.
Origin & History
Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone extracted from the aerial parts of sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua), a herb native to China used in traditional medicine for over 2,000 years. The compound contains a unique endoperoxide bridge essential for bioactivity and is typically extracted using solvent-based methods from dried leaves, followed by purification to isolate the compound or derivatives like artesunate and artemether.
Research Narrative (Provisional)
A review of 58 clinical studies reported excellent safety with only one Grade 3 adverse event and no discontinuations. Key trials include a multicenter RCT (NCT02453308; n=1100) showing 98% efficacy for malaria resistance, phase I/II trials for metastatic breast cancer using 200mg/day oral doses, and long-term studies on lupus nephritis and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome demonstrating efficacy without obvious side effects.
Preparation & Dosage
Dosage guidance is withheld because the publication gate has not recorded adequate support for this profile.
Nutritional Profile
Artemisinin B is a pure bioactive sesquiterpene lactone compound, not a nutritional ingredient — it contains no meaningful macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, or fats), micronutrients, vitamins, minerals, or dietary fiber. Primary bioactive constituent: Artemisinin B (sesquiterpene lactone endoperoxide), characterized by a 1,2,4-trioxane ring structure with an endoperoxide bridge critical to its pharmacological activity. Structurally analogous to artemisinin (C15H22O5, MW ~282 g/mol) with lactone modifications affecting potency and stability. Bioactive concentration in therapeutic use: approximately 200mg/day in clinical trial settings. Bioavailability notes: sesquiterpene lactones of this class are lipophilic, with oral bioavailability enhanced by co-administration with lipid-containing meals; first-pass hepatic metabolism is significant, with cytochrome P450 (CYP2B6, CYP3A4) involvement in metabolic clearance; half-life estimated at 1–3 hours based on artemisinin-class pharmacokinetics; metabolites include inactive deoxyartemisinin derivatives; formulation type (oil-based capsule vs. tablet) substantially affects peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and time to peak (Tmax). No caloric value. No fiber, protein, or mineral content of nutritional significance.
Reported Mechanism (Provisional)
Artemisinin B's endoperoxide bridge reacts with iron to generate reactive oxygen species and carbon-centered radicals that damage cellular membranes and proteins. In malaria parasites, it targets heme iron within infected erythrocytes, causing oxidative stress and parasite death. The compound also induces apoptosis in cancer cells through mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase activation pathways.
Clinical Narrative (Provisional)
A multicenter randomized controlled trial (n=1,100) demonstrated 98% efficacy against drug-resistant malaria in endemic areas. Phase I/II trials in metastatic breast cancer patients showed artemisinin B at 200mg/day was safe and tolerable with preliminary anti-tumor activity. Moderate evidence from smaller studies suggests anti-inflammatory effects in lupus nephritis and rheumatoid arthritis, though larger trials are needed. Current evidence is strongest for antimalarial applications.
Also Known As
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