Title:Cinchonine: A Versatile Pharmacological Agent Derived from Natural
Cinchona Alkaloids
Volume: 24
Issue: 4
Author(s): Shahnaz Parveen, Nidhi Maurya, Abha Meena and Suaib Luqman*
Affiliation:
- Bioprospection and Product Development Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants,
Lucknow, 226015, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002,
Uttar Pradesh, India
Keywords:
Cinchona officinalis, Alkaloids, Cinchonine, Anti-cancer, Anti-malarial, Anti-obesity.
Abstract:
Background: Cinchonine is one of the Cinchona alkaloids that is commercially extracted
from the Peruvian bark of Cinchona officinalis L. (Family: Rubiaceae). It is also obtained in
much lower quantities from other species of Cinchona, such as Cinchona calisaya, Cinchona succirubra,
and Cinchona pubescens, and in some other plants, such as Remijia peruviana. Cinchonine
has been historically used as an anti-malarial agent. It also has a wide range of other biological
properties, including anti-cancer, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, antimicrobial,
anti-platelet aggregation, and anti-osteoclast differentiation.
Aim and Objective: This review discusses the pharmacological activity of cinchonine under different
experimental conditions, including in silico, in vitro, and in vivo. It also covers the compound's
physicochemical properties, toxicological aspects, and pharmacokinetics.
Methodology: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on multiple online databases,
such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The aim was to retrieve a wide range of review/research
papers and bibliographic sources. The process involved applying exclusion and inclusion
criteria to ensure the selection of relevant and high-quality papers.
Results: Cinchonine has numerous pharmacological properties, making it a promising compound
for various therapeutic applications. It induces anti-cancer activity by activating caspase-3 and
PARP-1, and triggers the endoplasmic reticulum stress response. It up-regulates GRP78 and promotes
the phosphorylation of PERK and ETIF-2α. Cinchonine also inhibits osteoclastogenesis, inhibiting
TAK1 activation and suppressing NFATc1 expression by regulating AP-1 and NF-κB. Its
potential anti-inflammatory effects reduce the impact of high-fat diets, making it suitable for targeting
obesity-related diseases. However, research on cinchonine is limited, and further studies
are needed to fully understand its therapeutic potential. Further investigation is needed to ensure
its safety and efficacy in clinical applications.
Conclusion: Overall, this review article explains the pharmacological activity of cinchonine, its
synthesis, and physicochemical properties, toxicological aspects, and pharmacokinetics.