Abstract
The genus Artemisia (“wormwood”) is widely represented in the flora of Kazakhstan both by the species diversity (at least 80 species) and biomass. Members of this genus, such as Artemisia annua ("annual wormwood") attract the attention of the global biomedical community because these plants produce the unusual sesquiterpene lactone artemisinin, which has a proven efficacy as an antimalarial drug and has also been tested for antiviral activity. Due to their potential antiviral properties, wormwood-derived phytocompounds are of interest as promising drugs against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which caused the largest pandemic of the 21st century. This review presents the studied diversity of secondary metabolites synthesized by various Artemisia species, describes the actual practical significance of one species A. annua, as well as the possible use of substances from this species as antiviral agents. There is a need for further research into secondary metabolites of wormwood with antiviral properties due to the expectation of continued circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and in order to complement the arsenal of antiviral therapy.