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Cinchona Alkaloids
''Cinchona'' (pronounced or ) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae containing at least 23 species of trees and shrubs. All are native to the tropical Andean forests of western South America. A few species are reportedly naturalized in Central America, Jamaica, French Polynesia, Sulawesi, Saint Helena in the South Atlantic, and São Tomé and Príncipe off the coast of tropical Africa, and others have been cultivated in India and Java, where they have formed hybrids. ''Cinchona'' has been historically sought after for its medicinal value, as the bark of several species yields quinine and other alkaloids. These were the only effective treatments against malaria during the height of European colonialism, which made them of great economic and political importance. Trees in the genus are also known as fever trees because of their antimalarial properties. The artificial synthesis of quinine in 1944, an increase in resistant forms of malaria, and the emergence of a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cinchona Pubescens
''Cinchona pubescens'', also known as red cinchona and quina or kina (; ), is native to Central and South America. It is known as a medicinal plant for its bark's high quinine content- and has similar uses to '' C. officinalis'' in the production of quinine, most famously used for treatment of malaria. Description ''C. pubescens'' varies from small to large in size, growing to in height. When cut, the bark tends to turn red. Leaves are elliptical to oblate and thin. The leaves have pubescent teeth that turn red when they are older, hence its nickname the red quinine tree. Its flowers form in large panicles. They are pink and fragrant, while in the Galapagos they are light pink. Synonyms Taxonomic synonyms include: *''Cinchona caloptera'' Miq. *''Cinchona chomeliana'' Wedd. *''Cinchona coronulata'' Miq. *''Cinchona decurrentifolia'' Pav. *''Cinchona elliptica'' Wedd. *''Cinchona goudotiana'' Klotzsch ex Triana *''Cinchona govana'' Miq. *''Cinchona howardiana'' Kuntze *''Cinchona ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
