Agglutination Reactions of Artemisinin-Type Drugs and Other Substances

Abstract

Artemisinin is a good antimalarial drug independently developed in China. It is highly effective and low toxic. In the process of studying the antimalarial mechanism of artemisinin drugs, we found that there was agglutination when the drugs came into contact with blood. Methods: ABO positive typing test card was used to detect the agglutination reaction of artemisinin and dihydroartemisinic with whole blood, red blood cells, hemolytic solution, hemin chloride, ferrous sulfate, ferric chloride, sodium chloride, DMSO and artemether. Results: artemisinin can agglutinate with many substances, such as red blood cells, red blood cell hemolytic solution, hemin chloride, ferrous sulfate, ferric chloride, sodium chloride and so on. The agglutination reaction in this paper is not related to antigen and antibody, but the result of the interaction between artemisinin drugs and various substances. Whole blood, red blood cells and hemolytic fluid contain biological macromolecular components. Hemin belongs to low molecular organic compounds, and the rest are simple inorganic compounds. Artemisinin drugs can interact with such a wide range of substances and agglutinate, indicating their strong effect. The mechanism is not clear. It is speculated that it is related to the “oxygen bridge” in artemisinin molecule, but the details of the action and how to agglutinate need to be studied. Interestingly, when artemether interacts with artemisinin and dihydroartemisinin, there is no agglutination, but there is a tendency of agglutination in the control, which is contrary to other results. This is a phenomenon, indicating that there is interaction, and its mechanism and significance need to be further studied. Artemisinin can interact with many substances.