By Lakshmi Chandrasekaran, April 1, 2019
” In the early 17th century, two French scientists successfully extracted quinine—a potent medication that is highly effective against malaria [2]—from the bark of the cinchona tree. Since then, physicians and researchers have raced to treat and prevent the disease. Chloroquine, a synthetic alternative of quinine that was produced to counter the drug’s scarcity during World War II, quickly became the medication of choice to combat malaria. Despite the prevalence of effective remedies, sub-Saharan Africa remains a malarial hotbed. The malaria parasite’s ongoing evolution towards drug resistance is a primary challenge in the fight against the epidemic. “
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