In ancient times, Indians discovered that the bark of the cinchona tree ground into powder could treat malaria.
In 1820, French scientists isolated quinine from the bark of the cinchona tree, an effective ingredient for treating malaria.
In the 20th century, chemists developed a synthetic method that could be used to mass-produce quinine. Currently, the main source is still extracted from plants or semi-synthesized.
The molecular formula of quinine is C20H24N2O2, which contains 20 carbon atoms, 2 nitrogen atoms, 2 oxygen atoms and 24 hydrogen atoms.

What is the use of quinine powder?

It is commonly used clinically to control the symptoms of malaria. Quinine mainly acts on the erythrocytic stage of parasites, killing various erythrocytic schizonts of malarial parasites through various pathways, effectively controlling symptoms.
It can bind to the DNA of malarial parasites to form a complex, thereby inhibiting DNA replication.
Quinine can reduce the oxygen consumption of malarial parasites, inhibit the phosphorylase in malarial parasites and interfere with their sugar metabolism.
In addition, it also has an antipyretic effect.

Quinine

ITEMS	SPECIFICATION	RESULTS
Characteristics	White or light yellow crystalline powder	White crystalline powder
Infrared spectrum appraisal		Match up with the reference
Clarity and colour of solution	-158°～-168°(Ethanol)	-162°
Melting point	173℃～178℃	176℃
Loss on dring	≤1.0%	0.6%
Residue on ignition	≤0.1%	0.07%
Heavy metal	<10 ppm	complies
Sulphate	<500ppm	complies
Chloride	<250ppm	complies
Other Cinchona Alkaloid	<1.0%	0.5%
Assase Total Base	C₂₀H₂₄N₂O₂>98%	99.1%

Quinine Sulphate

Item	Specifications	Results
Appearance	White or almost white, crystalline powder or fine, colorless needles.	Complies
Solubility	Slightly soluble in water, sparingly soluble in boiling water and in ethanol(96 per cent)	Complies
Identification
TLC	The principal spot in the chromatogram obtained with the test solution in similar in position, color and size to the principal spot in the chromatogram obtained with the reference solution	Complies
Bromine and ammonia	A green color develops	Complies
Fluorescence	When examined in ultraviolet light at 366 nm, an intense blue fluorescence appears which disappears almost completely on the addition of 1ml of HCL	Complies
Characteristic of sulphates	The solution gives reaction of sulphates	Complies
Tests
Appearance of solution	Solution S is clear and not more intensely colored than reference solution GY₆	Complies
PH	5.7-6.6	6.13
Specific optical rotation	-237°~ -245°	-240.6°
Other cinchona alkaloids	Impurity C:≤10.0% Any impurity eluted before quinine: ≤5.0% Any other impurity: ≤2.5%	6.1% 2.4% N.A
Loss on drying	3.0%-5.0%	4.38%
Sulphated ash	≤0.1%	0.07%
Assay	99.0%-101.0% on dried substance	99.55%
Conclusion	The product conforms to BP2013