Artemisia annua L. and Its Derivatives: Their Antiviral Effects on COVID-19 and Possible Mechanisms

"Introduction

... Artemisia and their derivatives have an excellent safety profile, low toxicity and adverse effects, are relatively cheap, and are easily produced. In addition, these drugs have excellent pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic characteristics. Artemisinin can be used in combination with other drugs to increase therapeutic effectiveness and delay the development of drug resistance. The discovery and marketing of new antiviral agents often take a long time (e.g., months to years). Therefore, an effective strategy to treat an emerging disease could be to repurpose clinically available medicines, which usually have a safety profile.

Artemisia annua L. is easily obtained and has a long history and safety record in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, malarial, plasmodial, and inflammatory diseases. Furthermore, A. annua. has anticonvulsant, antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-cholesterol activities.... Recently, a clinical study indicated that treatment with artesunate could significantly shorten the duration of the hospital stay and reduce the symptoms in COVID-19 patients in China...

Conclusion

... A. annua L. can fight against SARS-CoV-2 infection by inhibiting its entry, ACE2, CD147, TMPRSS2, and S expression in host cells and reducing its replication by inhibiting 3CLpro. Furthermore, A. annua L. derivatives can reduce oxidative stress by increasing Nrf2 activity, inhibiting NF-κB signaling, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production, cytokine storm, inflammation, lung damage, and fatal inflammation that is caused by SARS-CoV-2."