Artemisinin, a sesquiterpene lactone originally extracted from the medicinal plant Artemisia annua L., is an effective antimalarial agent, particularly for multi-drug resistant and cerebral malaria. However, the concentration of artemisinin in the plant is very low. Because the chemical synthesis of artemisinin is complicated and not economically feasible in view of the poor yield of the drug, the intact plant remains the only viable source of artemisinin production. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the concentration of artemisinin in A. annua to reduce the cost of artemisinin based antimalarial drugs. Plant scientists have focused their efforts on A. annua for a higher artemisinin crop yield. With the present volume, we are bringing together the research which is being done on this plant throughout the world and future possibilities for scientists and researchers who want to work on it.

<p>How a herbal drug application interrelates with its therapeutic effects: reflections on qinghao (Artemisia annua, L.) in the Chinese materia medica

Ethno-pharmacology of Artemisia annua: A review
Artemisia annua: a miraculous herb to cure malaria
The whole-plant approach to therapeutic use of Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae)
Pharmacological potentials of artemisinin and related sesquiterpene lactones: recent advances and trends
Taxonomic implications of Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae)
Trichomes in Artemisia annua: initiation, development, maturation and the possibility to influence these factors
Potential methods to improve the efficiency of artemisinin extraction from Artemisia annua
Extraction, purification and quantification of artemisinin and its analogs from Artemisia annua L
Effect of mineral nutrition, growth regulators and environmental stresses on biomass production and artemisinin concentration of Artemisia annua
Recent Advances to Enhance Yield of Artemisinin - A Novel Antimalarial Compound, in Artemisia annua L. Plants
Artemisinin in cancer therapy
Recent Developments in Controlling Insect, Acari, Nematode and Plant Pathogens of Agricultural and Medical Importance by Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae)
Reverse pharmacology and drug discovery: Artemisia annua and its anti-HIV activity.</p>