Anticancer properties of Artemisia species: mechanisms and experimental evidence

The genus Artemisia (family Asteraceae) is widely recognized for its medicinal properties, among which artemisinin is the most notable, historically serving as a key antimalarial agent. Accumulating evidence now highlights the significant anticancer potential of Artemisia species, with bioactive compounds such as artemisinin and its derivatives exhibiting promising activity across multiple cancer types. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the molecular mechanisms underlying the anticancer effects of Artemisia-derived compounds, including apoptosis induction, cell cycle arrest, and oxidative stress modulation. In addition, it examines their therapeutic efficacy in preclinical in vivo models and summarizes findings from early-phase clinical trials. Despite encouraging preclinical results, challenges such as drug resistance, limited bioavailability, and barriers to clinical translation remain.