Artesunate is a derivative of the natural product artemisinin which effectively kills the malarial parasites P. falciparum and P. vivax (IC50 = 1.3 nM). It also kills trematodes of the species Schistosoma, providing protection against schistosomiasis. Sesquiterpene lactones like artesunate, artemether, and artemisinin have potential applications in certain types of cancer and inflammatory conditions.
