Publication: Redox reaction of artemisinin with ferrous and ferric ions in aqueous buffer
Issued Date
2001-12-21
Resource Type
ISSN
00092363
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-0035205287
Rights
Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. Vol.49, No.12 (2001), 1541-1546
Suggested Citation
Nathawut Sibmooh, Rachanee Udomsangpetch, Anake Kijjoa, Udom Chantharaksri, Samlee Mankhetkorn Redox reaction of artemisinin with ferrous and ferric ions in aqueous buffer. Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. Vol.49, No.12 (2001), 1541-1546. doi:10.1248/cpb.49.1541 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/26496
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Authors
Journal Issue
Thesis
Title
Redox reaction of artemisinin with ferrous and ferric ions in aqueous buffer
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene with endoperoxide bond, possesses potent antimalarial activity against the ring and late stage of chloroqine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum malaria both in vitro and in vivo. The mode of antimalarial activity of artemisinin is iron-dependent. The aim of this study was to investigate the reactions of artemisinin with ferrous and ferric ions in aqueous buffer. Artemisinin generated a cycle of iron oxidation and reduction. It oxidized ferrous and reduced ferric ions with similar rate of reaction (k=10±0.5M-1·s-1for ferrous and k=8.5±2.0 M-1·s-1for ferric ion). The major active product was dihydroartemisinin which exhibited antimalarial activity at least 3 times more potent than artemisinin. Dihydroartemisinin preferably binds to ferric ion, forming ferric-dihydroartemisinin complex. The re-oxidation of the complex gives artemisinin and ferric ion. This suggests that in aqueous buffer, the reaction of artemisinin with iron may give rise to the active reaction products, one of them being dihydroartemisinin, which is responsible for antimalarial activity.