Arteannuin was successfully developed by the Chinese pharmacologists, based on the inspiration from an ancient traditional Chinese medicine literature concerning the Herba Artenisiae Annuae (Qinghao) for malaria.  It is a sesquiterpene lactone compound with the peroxide group, from which an active anti-malaria monomer was isolated in 1972.  Its instant effect and low toxicity against malaria has won the recognition of WHO as the most effective anti-malaria drug, which substitutes quinine in the 21th century.  Fifty-one countries and regions all over the world have designated arteannuin or its derivatives as a specific anti-malaria drug since 2001.