Artemisinin is an extract from the plant Artemisia annua (Qinghao), which, when used in combination therapies, is the front-line treatment for uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs)
- Mechanism: ACTs combine a fast-acting artemisinin derivative with a longer-acting partner drug.
- Artemisinin's role: It rapidly reduces the parasite load.
- Partner drug's role: It clears the remaining parasites and provides mutual protection against drug resistance.
- Global Impact: ACTs are credited with saving millions of lives and have been a cornerstone of global malaria control and elimination efforts, especially after widespread resistance emerged to older drugs like Chloroquine.
The Problem of Resistance
- Latest News: The latest concern is the documented rise of Artemisinin resistance in Africa, showing early warning signs similar to what was previously experienced in Southeast Asia 10-15 years ago.
- Mechanism of Resistance: Resistance is linked to specific genetic mutations (e.g., in the kelch13 gene) in the Plasmodium falciparum parasite, which allows it to temporarily enter a slow-growing survival mode.
- The Urgent Call: There is a collective consensus on the urgent need for coordinated global action to:
- Diversify drug use and change treatment strategies rapidly.
- Intensify surveillance (monitoring drug resistance markers).
- Disease Management: Malaria and drug resistance are critical topics for India, which has historically been a high-burden country but is working towards elimination.
- Scientific Breakthrough: The discovery of Artemisinin led to the Nobel Prize in Medicine for TYouyou, highlighting the importance of traditional medicine research.
- Global Health Security: The spread of resistance is a global health security threat that can undo decades of progress in malaria control.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
