What does qinghaosu mean?
Qinghaosu is the Chinese name for artemisinin, a naturally occurring compound with antimalarial properties. It is obtained primarily from sweet wormwood, known botanically as Artemisia annua, and its relatives. In scientific and general English, the compound is more often called artemisinin, while qinghaosu emphasizes its Chinese name and its history in traditional Chinese medicine. The compound is especially significant because derivatives of artemisinin became central to modern malaria treatment. Research into qinghaosu also contributed to an important development in the history of medicine: recognition of the value of traditional herbal knowledge when combined with systematic laboratory investigation. The term can refer to the substance itself or, in some contexts, to pharmaceutical preparations based on it. Because it names a chemical compound rather than an ordinary countable object, qinghaosu is normally treated as a mass noun and is not pluralized.
nounQinghaosu is the Chinese name for artemisinin, an antimalarial compound extracted from sweet wormwood, the Chinese medicinal plant Artemisia annua. In English-language scientific writing, it generally refers to the same substance known as artemisinin.
- The antimalarial compound artemisinin, especially when discussed in relation to its Chinese name or traditional use in Chinese medicine.
"Researchers developed new formulations to improve the stability and absorption of qinghaosu."
"Qinghaosu has played an important role in the treatment of malaria in Artemisia annua."
"The study examined how temperature and humidity affect the stability of qinghaosu during storage."
Qinghaosu names a chemical substance and is normally used as a mass noun; plural forms are unnecessary in ordinary prose.
"The team developed a more stable formulation of qinghaosu."
Qinghaosu became famous through Tu Youyou's discovery of artemisinin, work associated with the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine awarded in 2015.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does qinghaosu come from?
The name qinghaosu is the modern Chinese pinyin romanization of 青蒿素. Qinghao refers to Artemisia annua, or sweet wormwood, while su is a Chinese term commonly used in the names of chemical compounds. The English name artemisinin was derived instead from the plant's scientific genus name, Artemisia, which in turn comes from Artemis, the Greek goddess associated with the hunt and wild nature.
How qinghaosu is actually used
Qinghaosu is most common in discussions of Chinese traditional medicine, pharmacognosy, and the history of antimalarial drugs. In general English writing, artemisinin is usually the preferred term.
Easily confused with qinghaosu
Qinghaosu is the active compound obtained from Artemisia plants, whereas Artemisia is the botanical genus that includes sweet wormwood.