Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Artesunate is a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin, a compound extracted from the plant Artemisia annua, and is primarily used for the treatment of malaria, particularly severe cases caused by Plasmodium falciparum. The scientific validation for its use in treating malaria—a major contagious disease—is strong, and artesunate is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a first-line treatment for severe malaria. Multiple high-quality clinical trials and meta-analyses have demonstrated that intravenous artesunate is superior to quinine in reducing mortality in severe malaria, especially in children and adults in endemic regions. Its rapid action against the parasite and favorable safety profile support its widespread clinical adoption.

Beyond malaria, evidence for artesunate's efficacy in treating other contagious diseases is limited. Although some in vitro and early-stage studies have explored artesunate's antiviral and antibacterial activity (for example, against cytomegalovirus or hepatitis B), these uses are not currently validated by robust clinical evidence, and artesunate is not approved or widely used for these indications. Therefore, while artesunate is a scientifically validated treatment for malaria, its use in other contagious diseases remains experimental and unsupported by strong evidence at this time.

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