Quinine used in the treatment of malarial fever is obtained from __________.

Key Points

• Cinchona is a flowering plant of the family Rubiaceae.
• It is native to the Andes of South America.
• The bark is used for medicinal purposes.
• The bark is dried to obtain alkaloids like quinine.
• The features of Cinchona bark are:
  • Colour - Yellowish to brownish.
  • Odour - Slight and distinctive.
  • Taste - Highly bitter and astringent.
  • Major Constituents - Quinine, Hydroquinine, Cinchonine.
  • Pharmacological Properties - Antimalarial, antipyretic, stomachic, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, antioxidant, anti-cancer.
  • Uses - Quinine is used in treatment of malaria, increasing appetite,  Quinidine is used to prevent arhythmias.

Additional Information

• Root of Rauvolfia - It contains 'reserpine' which is an anti-psychotic and anti-hypertensive drug used to treat hypertension.
• Seeds of Ricinus communis - These are castor beans that yield castor oil, but is also the source of a toxin called 'ricin' which is released when chewed and swallowed.
• Atropa belladona - It is a medicinal herb that yields 'atropine', which can be toxic as well as hallucinogenic.