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.

Keywords: Agrobacterium rhizogenes; Artemisia annua; Artemisinin; bioreactor; cell suspension culture; elicitation.

Figure 1

Biosynthetic pathway for the production of Artemisinin from Artemisia annua.