When mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum for 32-35 d were treated ig with artemether (Art) at a single dose of 300 mg.kg-1 for 24 h, the glycogen content of female and male schistosomes decreased significantly with reduction rates of about 50%. 72 h after medication, the glycogen reduction rates were 64.1-77.9%. Meantime, the protein content of female and male worms was also decreased, the reduction rates being 68.1% and 49.3%, respectively. In infected mice treated ig with Art at the same dosage for 24 h, the inhibition rates of alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activity in female and male worms were 30% and 25%, respectively. 72 h later, the AKP activity of female worm was further inhibited to 62.3% as compared with the control. Besides, the inhibitory effect of Art on acid phosphatase (ACP) activity of female worm was also more apparent than that of male worm. 72 h after medication, the respective inhibition rates of ACP activity in female and male worms were 75.7% and 47.6%. The results indicated that Art might exert its effect on both carbohydrate and protein metabolism of schistosomes.