Artemisinin

Plant Origin:   
Part Used: Aerial parts                                                                              

Specification: Artemisinin 99% By HPLC

CAS No.: 63968-64-9
Molecular Formula: C15H22O5                                                                                                                                

Molecular Weight: 282.3                                                                                        
Melting Point: 156℃-157℃

Functions:
Artemisinin is the product extracted from the dry leaves of Artemsisia Annua (sweet wormwood). This plant has to be grown each year stating from seeds. The plant is peculiar in its behaviour. Nicely grown-up plants may be devoid of Artemisinin. Artemsia annua is a plant with a strong parfum. It contains camphor and essential oils. It is a strong plant. Once it has started on its full development it can survive a hot climate and long dry spells. The roots penetrate very deep. The plant needs to be harvested before the flowering starts since this decreases the content of Artemisinin. Artemisinin works by reacting with iron in the body and forming free radicals that attack the cells from within. Cancer cells replicate at a higher rate than normal cells and so have a higher concentration of iron. This makes artemisinin highly toxic to the cancer cells. The same mechanism is responsible for its anti-malarial properties. The parasite that causes malaria cannot eliminate the iron from the blood cells it eats and stores it. The artemisinin makes the stored iron poisonous to the parasite.