The word "cinchonina calisaya" is a mouthful, and its spelling can be a bit tricky. In the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), it is spelled /sɪŋˌkəʊnɪnə kəˈliːsaɪə/. The phonetic symbols represent the sounds of the word, with "sɪŋ" for "cin," "kəʊ" for "cho," and "saɪ" for "si." This term refers to a type of alkaloid found in the bark of the cinchona tree, which is used to produce the antimalarial drug quinine. Though its spelling may be complex, "cinchonina calisaya" plays an important role in medicine.
Cinchonina calisaya refers to a species of evergreen tree belonging to the botanical family Rubiaceae, native to the western regions of South America. Commonly known as Calisaya bark, it is widely valued for its medicinal properties, particularly for its use in the production of the antimalarial drug quinine. The tree can grow up to 15 meters in height, with dark green leaves and small, fragrant yellow flowers.
Cinchonina calisaya bark contains various alkaloids, the most significant of which is quinine. Quinine is a potent antimalarial agent that has been used for centuries to combat malaria, a parasitic infection transmitted through mosquito bites. Historically, the bark was sourced and processed to extract quinine for medicinal purposes, with its effectiveness in treating malaria leading to the incorporation of quinine in antimalarial drugs.
Apart from its antimalarial properties, Cinchonina calisaya bark has been employed in traditional medicine to treat fever, inflammation, digestive disorders, and urinary tract infections. It also possesses a bitter taste, which is believed to stimulate appetite and aid digestion. Moreover, the bark is known to contain other alkaloids such as cinchonine and cinchonidine, which may contribute to its medicinal effects.
Due to its historical and ongoing significance in the field of medicine, Cinchonina calisaya is cultivated in various regions throughout the world, especially in countries where malaria remains a prevalent health concern.
Cinchonine hydrochloride, occurs in white acicular crystals, dose, gr. 2-10 (0.13-0.6).
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "cinchonina calisaya" is not a word with an etymology in the conventional sense. It is actually a combination of two separate terms: "cinchonina" and "calisaya".
"Cinchonina" refers to a chemical compound that is derived from cinchona bark, which comes from the South American cinchona tree. The name "cinchonina" itself comes from the genus name of the cinchona tree, which is named after Ana de Osorio, the Countess of Cinchón.
"Calisaya" is another term associated with the cinchona tree. It specifically refers to a variety of the tree known as Cinchona calisaya, which is known for having a high concentration of alkaloids, including the compound cinchonine.