Artemisiae Annuae Herba: from anti-malarial legacy to emerging anti-cancer potential

Modern medical approaches to cancer treatment face significant obstacles, including limited therapeutic options, narrow drug applicability, and rapid development of drug resistance. Consequently, re-evaluating traditional medicinal plants and natural compounds has emerged as a promising strategy to address this public health issue, particularly amid challenges in developing novel pharmaceuticals. Artemisiae Annuae Herba, a versatile natural drug renowned for its established efficacy against malaria and for other diverse pharmacological activities, is gaining recognition for its anti-cancer potential due to the unique structures and biological effects of its constituents. This review comprehensively outlines the major components of Artemisiae Annuae Herba and their reported anti-cancer activities, beginning with an examination of the molecular structures of the foundational components and an exploration of derivatives of these compounds. Furthermore, through an analysis of observed pharmacological effects, we systematically elucidate the multifaceted influence of Artemisiae Annuae Herba on cancerous tissues, including cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, non-apoptotic cell death induction, angiogenesis inhibition, tumor microenvironment remodeling, and immune modulation. Finally, we discuss the feasibility of Artemisiae Annuae Herba in cancer therapy as well as the challenges and unresolved issues that require further investigation. We also consider ways that new drug formulations and routes of administration might overcome these translational hurdles. By synthesizing existing research on applications of Artemisiae Annuae Herba to cancer therapy, this review underscores potentially innovative clinical approaches, ultimately paving the way for the discovery of effective anti-cancer drugs with far-reaching benefits.