Cinchona

Cinchona is a plant from the Rubiaceae family that is known for its medicinal value due to the quinine and other associated alkaloids contained in its bark. The pharmaceutical name of this plant is cinchona bark (Chinae calisayae cortex), previously it was called Cortex Chinae calisayae.

Botanical review

Cinchona is a tall evergreen tree that can take on a shrubby form in mountainous areas. Its bark is ocher-yellow or light brown, and its crown is dense and densely leafy. The plant is native to Brazil, Ecuador and Peru.

Active ingredients

Cinchona contains quinine, which is its main active ingredient. In addition, the bark of this plant contains associated alkaloids, bitterness, resins and a number of other substances.

Application

Currently, cinchona is rarely used, only as a component of some gastric preparations. However, it was previously actively used to treat malaria and other diseases associated with high temperature and fever.

conclusions

Although cinchona is no longer a mainstay drug for the treatment of malaria and other diseases, it continues to attract the attention of researchers for its potential medicinal properties. Some research suggests that cinchona extracts may have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and even anti-cancer properties. However, before using cinchona to treat any disease, you should always consult your doctor.