Fruit · Berry

Quinine Bark

Provisional Moderate ScoreCompound

Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia

Published March 15, 2026Last updated March 15, 2026Methodology · Editorial policy · Report an error

Evidence review status: unreviewed

Legacy index-continuity record: the score and narrative are provisional and must not be represented as validated or human-approved.

Review flags: AWAITING_SEMANTIC_VALIDATION

Provisional Summary

Quinine bark from Cinchona species contains up to 82.93% quinoline alkaloids including quinine, quinidine, cinchonine, and cinchonidine. These alkaloids concentrate in malaria parasite food vacuoles to disrupt heme detoxification and hemoglobin digestion, causing parasite death.

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Screened PMID Records

Reported Benefits

Pending

Synergy Review

At a Glance

CategoryFruit

GroupBerry

Public Score StatusProvisional Moderate

Primary KeywordQuinine Bark benefits

Quinine Bark — botanical close-up

Reported Benefits (Provisional)

Exhibits potent antimalarial

properties by inhibiting the replication of Plasmodium parasites.

Demonstrates significant antipyretic: effects, effectively reducing fever

Possesses analgesic properties,: providing relief from pain

Alleviates muscle cramps: through its direct effects on muscle fibers

Supports immune function: during febrile illnesses

Origin & History

Natural habitat

Quinine Bark is derived from the Cinchona tree, native to the tropical Andean forests of western South America, particularly Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. Thriving in montane forests, this bark is historically significant for its potent medicinal alkaloids.

“Culturally significant in South American indigenous medicine, particularly among Andean communities, quinine bark was vital in treating fevers and malaria. Its discovery and subsequent use profoundly influenced global trade and medical practices, becoming one of the first effective treatments for malaria.”Traditional Medicine

Research Narrative (Provisional)

Quinine bark is extensively documented in scientific literature for its potent antimalarial, antipyretic, and analgesic properties. Numerous clinical studies and historical medical records confirm its efficacy in treating malaria and reducing fever, establishing its significant role in global medicine.

Preparation & Dosage

Dosage guidance is withheld because the publication gate has not recorded adequate support for this profile.

Nutritional Profile

- Alkaloids: Quinine, Quinidine, Cinchonine, Cinchonidine (contributing to antimalarial, antipyretic, and analgesic effects). - Flavonoids and Tannins: Present in the bark, offering additional antioxidant and astringent properties.

Reported Mechanism (Provisional)

Mechanism of Action

The primary quinoline alkaloids (quinine, quinidine, cinchonine, and cinchonidine) act as weak bases that concentrate in Plasmodium parasite food vacuoles, where they antagonize Fe(II)-protoporphyrin IX detoxification and block hemoglobin digestion. For anticancer activity, quinine docks to TRAF6 protein to inhibit Ubc13 interaction and induce autophagy and apoptosis in cancer cells. Anti-inflammatory effects occur through NF-κB pathway inhibition by quinolinone derivatives.

Clinical Narrative (Provisional)

Current evidence comes primarily from in vitro studies rather than human clinical trials. Laboratory research shows quinine combined with doxorubicin reduced HeLa cell viability to 11.7 ± 3% and HepG2 cells to 52-63%, with quinine alone demonstrating cytotoxicity at IC50 1.22 ppm. While quinine's antimalarial efficacy is well-established historically, quantified human trial data for other therapeutic applications remains limited. The evidence strength is moderate for antimalarial use but preliminary for anticancer and anti-inflammatory applications.

Also Known As

Cinchona officinalisPeruvian barkCinchona barkCinchona succirubra barkJesuit's bark

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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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