Cinchona Ledgeriana Extract
Cinchona ledgeriana
extract is derived from the bark of the Cinchona ledgeriana tree, a species highly valued for its high concentration of the antimalarial and antiarrhythmic alkaloids quinine and quinidine. Historically, it was a vital medicinal resource, and today, its alkaloids are still used in pharmaceutical and chemical applications. The use of whole bark extract, however, is associated with risks and side effects.
Key chemical constituents
The primary active ingredients in Cinchona ledgeriana extract are quinoline alkaloids, which are also found in other Cinchona species. The most significant are:
- Quinine: A key alkaloid with antimalarial, analgesic, and antipyretic properties.
- Quinidine: A stereoisomer of quinine with antiarrhythmic (regulating heart rhythm) and antimalarial effects.
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- Cinchonine and Cinchonidine: Less active stereoisomers of quinine and quinidine.
- Other compounds: The bark also contains quinic acid, cinchotannic acid, and bitter glycosides.
Traditional and medicinal uses- Antimalarial: Historically the most important use, the bark’s quinine content was the only effective treatment for malaria for centuries.
- Antipyretic and analgesic: The extract has been used to treat fevers, colds, influenza, and mild-to-moderate pain.
- Digestive tonic: As a bitter stomachic, it is used to stimulate appetite and digestive juice production and to treat bloating and other stomach problems.
- Blood vessel disorders: The extract is used to address conditions such as hemorrhoids, leg cramps, and varicose veins.
- Hair and skin care: Cinchona extract is applied topically to the skin to treat ulcers and hemorrhoids, and as an astringent and stimulant for hair growth.
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