Artesunate is a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin, which is derived from the plant Artemisia annua (sweet wormwood). Its use for the treatment of malaria is strongly supported by scientific evidence and is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a first-line treatment for severe malaria, particularly caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Numerous randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have demonstrated that intravenous or intramuscular artesunate is superior to quinine in reducing mortality in severe malaria cases. Key studies, such as the SEAQUAMAT (2005) and AQUAMAT (2010) trials, showed significant reductions in death rates compared to quinine, cementing artesunate as the gold standard for severe malaria treatment in both adults and children.

Artesunate works by generating reactive oxygen species that damage the malaria parasite, leading to rapid parasite clearance from the bloodstream. It is valued for its fast onset of action, good safety profile, and lower risk of hypoglycemia compared to quinine. In addition, oral artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), which include artesunate as a component, are widely used for uncomplicated malaria with excellent efficacy.

In summary, artesunate is one of the most effective and well-validated treatments for malaria, with robust scientific evidence supporting its use. Its adoption has dramatically improved survival rates in severe malaria, especially in resource-limited settings.