Scientists from Uzbekistan and Hungary are collaborating to develop new health supplements derived from sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua), a plant known for its medicinal properties. The research is being conducted by the Pharmaceutical Institute of Tashkent and Hungary’s Meditop Pharmaceutical Ltd.
The project is based on the groundbreaking work of Chinese scientist Tu Youyou, who won the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering artemisinin, a compound extracted from sweet wormwood that effectively treats malaria.
The joint initiative aims to produce antiseptic and anti-inflammatory supplements in various forms, including capsules, ointments, hydrogels, mouthwashes, and ear drops. These products are classified as food supplements rather than medicines. Currently, researchers are testing the active compounds on animals to evaluate their effectiveness.
While still in the early stages of development, with prototypes being tested, mass production is planned to take place in Uzbekistan using Hungarian pharmaceutical expertise. It remains uncertain whether all prototypes will reach large-scale production, but both sides express optimism about the project’s potential.
This collaboration is part of a broader partnership between the two countries. In 2023, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó and Uzbek Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade Laziz Kudratov announced plans to establish a special industrial zone in Uzbekistan for Hungarian companies.
Sweet wormwood has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, particularly in Chinese medicine, where it has been employed to treat fever and infections. In recent years, artemisinin has been investigated not only for malaria treatment but also for its potential applications in cancer therapy and respiratory health, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
