Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2015

Source: Nobel Prize https://youtu.be/kxBe5t3V2e0

Three scientists won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2015 for their contribution in discovery of  anti-parasitic drugs long hidden in herbs and soil.

Dr. William C. Campbell and Dr. Satoshi Omura developed Avermectin that has radically lowered the incidence of river blindness and lymphatic filariasis.

Dr. Youyou Tu was inspired by Chinese traditional medicine in discovering Artemisinin, a drug that was proven highly effective against the malaria parasite and has reduced death rates from the disease. 

Key publications: 

Burg RW, Miller BM, Baker EE, Birnbaum J, Currie SA, Hartman R, et al. Avermectins, new family of potent anthelmintic agents: producing organism and fermentatio. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1979;15:361-367. doi:10.1128/AAC.15.3.361. 

Egerton JD, Ostlind DA, Blair LS, Eary CH, Suhayda D, Cifelli S, et al. Avermectins, new family of potent anthelmintic agents: efficacy of the B_1a component. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1979;15:372-378. doi:10.1128/AAC.15.3.372.

Tu Y, Ni M, Zhong Y, Li L, Cui S, Zhang M, et al. Studies on the constituents of Artemisia Anua L. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica.1981;16,366-370. (Text in Chinese)