A concise review on Artemisia annua L.: A major source of diverse medicinal compounds

Malaria is one of the major global health concerns that affect millions of people worldwide annually, especially people residing in the developing countries. The previously implemented measures to control and cure malaria are now being hampered due to the progression of multiple drug-resistance in the malaria-causing Plasmodium species. Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) are the most effective treatment available to medicate malaria, as recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). Artemisia annua L. (sweet wormwood) is a member of the family Asteraceae and is classified under the genus Artemisia. A. annua produces artemisinin (a sesquiterpene lactone) which has remarkable efficacy against multi-drug resistant malaria-causing parasite (Plasmodium species) and is a major component of ACTs. Due to low artemisinin content in naturally growing plants and low availability against high demand, attempts have been made during the past to increase the artemisinin content by way of selective breeding, micropropagation, pathway engineering, and genetic manipulations. Due to the limited progress, the implementation of novel strategies and advanced scientific methodologies are required to fill the gap between the global demand and supply of artemisinin and its derivatives. The enhancement in total phytochemical content in A. annua, especially artemisinin, has both commercial as well as medicinal significance for global humankind. This review focuses on different aspects of artemisinin production, including the efforts that have been made towards its enhancement in the natural population, and other socio-economic factors associated with the demand and supply of medicinally useful artemisinin and its derivatives.