Cinchona bark and quinine in the Portuguese official pharmacopoeias (1794-2001).

Cinchona bark (bark from plants of the genus Cinchona with antimalarial activity) and its alkaloid quinine were widely used to treat intermittent fevers. This paper aims to quantitatively analyze the presence of Cinchona bark, quinine and other Cinchona bark-derived substances in the Portuguese official pharmacopoeias published between 1794 and 2001. The analysis showed that the Pharmacopêa Portugueza (1876) is the Portuguese official pharmacopeia with the highest percentage of medicines containing Cinchona bark (2.61%). The Farmacopeia Portuguesa IV (1935) is the official pharmacopeia with the highest percentage of quinine-containing medicines (2.34%). Medicines made from Cinchona bark are present in the Portuguese official pharmacopoeias until the Farmacopeia Portuguesa IV (1946). Medicines made from quinine have been present in Portuguese official pharmacopoeias since the Codigo Pharmaceutico Lusitano (1835).

The influence of German science on Cinchona and quinine research in Portugal in the second half of the 19th century.

This paper examines the contribution of three Portuguese scientists to Cinchona cultivation in the former Portuguese colonies in the second half of the 19th century, while discussing the importance of their studies in Germany to their professional lives. Portuguese pharmaceutical, medical, and botanical literature from the 19 th and 20 th century was reviewed, as well as books and articles regarding the history of pharmacy and medicine in Portugal. Cinchona bark, source of the antimalarial alkaloid quinine, is obtained from a South American plant, and was an important commodity in the 19th century. Many European nations (including Portugal) tried to acclimatize and cultivate Cinchona plants in their colonies. Pharmacist Joaquim dos Santos e Silva (1842-1906) performed chemical analysis of Cinchona bark samples from the Portuguese colonies in Africa. Forester Bernardino Barros Gomes (1839-1910) wrote a book with practical instructions for Cinchona cultivation and chronicled the history of Cinchona plantations in the British and Dutch colonies. In that work he also encouraged private planters to cultivate Cinchona. Forester Adolpho Frederico Möller (1842-1920), as inspector of the Botanical Garden of Coimbra, managed Cinchona plants' cultivation in the garden's nurseries, which were later sent to the colonies, and answered queries from Cinchona planters. Silva's chemistry studies in Germany were crucial to his career and the work of the three scientists was influenced and guided by their knowledge of German science and scientific culture.