Kinino

Kinino refers to a group of naturally occurring alkaloids found in the bark of cinchona trees, native to South America. The most well-known and historically significant kinino is quinine, which has been used for centuries as a remedy for malaria. Quinine is a complex organic compound with a distinctive bitter taste.

In addition to quinine, other kininos include quinidine, cinchonine, and cinchonidine. While quinine is primarily known for its antimalarial properties, quinidine shares a similar chemical structure but is used medically to treat cardiac arrhythmias. Cinchonine and cinchonidine also possess some antimalarial activity, though generally less potent than quinine.

The extraction and purification of kininos from cinchona bark were crucial in the development of effective treatments for malaria, a disease that has plagued humanity for millennia. The discovery of quinine's efficacy led to its widespread use and the development of synthetic antimalarial drugs. The term "kinino" itself is derived from the Quechua word "kina," referring to the cinchona tree. The alkaloids are synthesized by the cinchona tree as a defense mechanism against herbivores and pathogens.