As of 2018, the exact mechanism of action of<unk> s has not been fully elucidated.<unk>  itself is a prodrug of the biologically active dihydroartemisinin. This metabolite undergoes cleavage of its endoperoxide ring inside the erythrocytes. As the drug molecules come in contact with the haem (associated with the hemoglobin of the red blood cells), the iron(II) oxide breaks the endoperoxide ring. This process produces free radicals that in turn damage susceptible proteins, resulting in the death of the parasite. In 2016<unk>  was shown to bind to a large number of targets suggesting that it acts in a promiscuous manner.<unk> 's endoperoxide moiety is however less sensitive to free iron(II) oxide, and therefore more active in the intraerythrocytic stages of P. falciparum. In contrast, clinical practice shows that unlike other antimalarials,<unk>  is active during all life cycle stages of the parasite.
Artemisinin
Artemether
Quinine
Ajmalicine
Proguanil
Dihydroartemisinin
Chloroquine
Deoxygedunin