Quinine:The initial compound, quinine, derives its name from the Peruvian Indian term "kina," which translates to "bark of the tree," referencing the source tree. This tree was the first known source of quinine, which the Peruvian Indians referred to as "the fever tree." Quinine is a significant and intricate molecule found in cinchona bark, and until World War I, it was the sole effective treatment for malaria. Notably, it was the first chemical substance successfully used to combat an infectious disease. In 1820, J.B. Caventou and P.J. Pelletier managed to isolate quinine in its crystalline form. Later, in a landmark achievement in synthetic organic chemistry, R.B. Woodward and W. Doering synthesized quinine for the first time in 1944.Quinine functions by disrupting the growth and reproduction of the malaria parasite residing in the host's body. It causes the parasites to vanish from the bloodstream, thereby alleviating the disease's symptoms. However, once quinine treatment ceases, many patients experience a relapse. This occurs because quinine does not eliminate the parasites residing in other body cells beyond the red blood cells. These parasites survive and eventually re-enter the red blood cells, leading to a recurrence of the illness.Since quinine does not provide a permanent cure for malaria, more effective drugs were sought. During and after World War II, new medications were developed to replace quinine. Some of these drugs, like chloroquine and chloroguanide, are more effective at suppressing the blood forms of the malaria parasite. Others, such as primaquine and pyrimethamine, target both the blood and tissue stages of the parasite, ensuring a complete cure and preventing relapses.Beyond its use in treating malaria, quinine has been employed to reduce fever and pain, as well as to treat and prevent leg cramps. However, prolonged use of quinine can lead to toxic side effects, including hearing issues, vision disturbances, skin rashes, and digestive problems.
