Biotechnological Approaches for Production of Artemisinin, an Anti-Malarial Drug from Artemisia annua L.

Abstract

Artemisinin is an anti-malarial sesquiterpene lactone derived from Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae family). One of the most widely used modes of treatment for malaria is an artemisinin-based combination therapy. Artemisinin and its associated compounds have a variety of pharmacological qualities that have helped achieve economic prominence in recent years. So far, research on the biosynthesis of this bioactive metabolite has revealed that it is produced in glandular trichomes and that the genes responsible for its production must be overexpressed in order to meet demand. Using biotechnological applications such as tissue culture, genetic engineering, and bioreactor-based approaches would aid in the upregulation of artemisinin yield, which is needed for the future. The current review focuses on the tissue culture aspects of propagation of A. annua and production of artemisinin from A. annua L. cell and organ cultures. The review also focuses on elicitation strategies in cell and organ cultures, as well as artemisinin biosynthesis and metabolic engineering of biosynthetic genes in Artemisia and plant model systems.

Influence of Abiotic and Biotic Elicitors on Organogenesis, Biomass Accumulation, and Production of Key Secondary Metabolites in Asteraceae Plants

“…Baldi and Dixit [88] have reported a significant increase in artemisinin (sesquiterpene lactone) in the suspension cell cultures of A. annua after treatment with MeJA (Table 2). A similar stimulating effect has been observed in plants and the hairy roots of A. annua [89,90]. In addition to increasing the content of artemisinin, the expression of the gene CYP71AV1 coding enzyme monooxygenase, which catalyzes the oxidation of amorpha-4,11-diene to artemisinic acid, was also increased.…”

The Use of Natural Bioactive Nutraceuticals in the Management of Tick-Borne Illnesses

“…Also called sweet wormwood, Chinese wormwood, and Qing Hao, Artemesis annua has been used for over 2000 years [ 99 ] with particular attention to treating malaria [ 100 ]. Active components of Artemesia annua include artemisinin [ 101 ], artesunate, and artemether, all of which are potent antimalarial drugs [ 102 ]. The active ingredient artemisinin has been shown to have in vitro activity against stationary phase B. burgdorferi persister cells [ 103 , 104 ].…”

From Plant to Yeast—Advances in Biosynthesis of Artemisinin

“…Artemisinic acid and DHAA were thought to be the final compounds formed by the enzyme-catalyzed reactions in this pathway ( Figure 1 ). In the subcuticular space of glandular-secreting trichomes (GSTs) on the surface of A. annua leaves, artemisinic acid was converted to artemisinin B and DHAA to artemisinin through photo-oxidation, which are a series of non-enzymatic reactions [ 21 , 22 ].…”