Artemisinin, analytics

Artemisinin, a tetracyclic 1,2,4-trioxane isolated from Artemisia annua L., is currently recommended as a first-line agent against Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Artemisinin and its synthetic derivatives have also been shown to be promising prototypes for the development of new antiproliferative agents. This chapter presents the recent advances on the analytic methods for extraction and quantification of artemisinin from A. annua plants as well as the biological properties of this natural product. 

FDA) for use in humans to treat malaria because this drug is considered a safe drug with few side effects.These features prompted various scientists around the world to evaluate the potential of artemisinin (1) and derivatives to control cancer cells proliferation. This chapter reviews the recent advances on analytical methods for extraction and quantification of artemisinin (1) from A. annua. Examples of artemisinin-derivatives with antiproliferative activities are listed, describing the structure-activity relationships of 96 compounds. This knowledge is essential for future development and use of artemisinin derivatives in cancer therapy. The mechanism of action of artemisinin and derivatives on cancer cells have been well reviewed in literature and therefore is not discussed in this chapter. 

Analytic Methods for Artemisinin Extraction and Quantification from Artemisia annua... 

Celeghini RMS, Sousa IMO, da Silva AP, Rodrigues RAF, Foglio MA. (2009) Development and validation of analytical methodology by HPLC-Rl for evaluation of artemisinin on Artemisa annua L. Quim Nova 32 875-878. 

Figure 6.13 Principle of an evaporative light-scattering detector and its application for plant constituents. (Chromatograms after J. L Veuthey, Analytical Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Geneva.) Conditions sample, extract of Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood) column, 12.5cm x 4mm i.d. stationary phase, Nucleosil 100 Cqg/ 5pm mobile phase, 1 ml min water with trifluoroacetic acid (pH 3)/acetonitrile (39 61). Peaks 1 = artemisinin 2 = artemisinic acid.

Development of selective analytical method for the determination of artemisinin poses challenging problems because it lacks ultraviolet (UV) absorption or fluorescent chromophores and does not possess functional groups with potential for derivatization. This study reports the determination of artemisinin by liquid chromatography with on-line post-column UV irradiation and peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence (PO-CL) detection. A similar method as previously reported by us for the determination of organic peroxide. In this method, after artemisinin is eluted from the HPLC column, it is UV irradiated to generate hydrogen peroxide, which is determined by PO-CL detection. 

R596 Z.-w. Yu, B.-c. Wang, Z.-n. Yang and L.-c. Zhu, Progress of Extraction and Analytical Methods of Artemisinin and Its Analogues , Zhongguo Shiyan Fangjixue Zazhi, 2011, 17, 294. 

Li, L., Pabbisetty, D., Carvalho, R,Avery, M.A.,Wilhamson, J., Avery, B.A. (2008) Ultra-performance liqnid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method for the determination of Artemisinin in rat semm and its apphcation in pharmacokinetics. Journal of Chromatography B. Analytical Technologies in the Biomedical and Life Sciences, 867,131—137. 

Three y-lactones (parthenolide, marrubiin, artemisinin) from plant extracts were quantitated on a silica column (A = 210nm or 225nm) using either an 85/15 or a 90/10 hexane/dioxane mobile phase [683]. Good resolution of the analytes of interest from other extracted components was obtained and linear absorbance vs. concentration plots were obtained for the 0.2-5 mg/mL range. Analysis time was 15 min. 

Table 1 Recent and/or relevant methods in analysis of plant products. Articles referenced in this table haveheen chosen to illustrate the breadth of methodology currently in use, the breadth of analytes, and the reasons for analysis. Note that peters range from identifications of novel products to routine analyses of usefiil products. Many products are pharmaceutical (e.g. artemisinin), or of pharmaceutical relevance (atractyloside, a poisonous component of some traditional remedies). Others are pathway intermediates, hormones, or involved in defence against pathogens. Note also that many methods can he applied with success to the same analyte (see especially the phenolic compounds)... 

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