Which substance was developed as a cure for malaria?

Quinine is recognized as one of the earliest effective treatments for malaria, derived from the bark of the cinchona tree, which was used by indigenous people in South America long before European colonization. Its antimalarial properties were identified in the early 17th century, and it became widely used by Europeans in the 19th century, particularly during the colonial era when malaria was a significant challenge in tropical regions.

While aspirin is mainly used as a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory agent, and penicillin is an antibiotic effective against bacterial infections, neither has efficacy against malaria. Chloroquine, while also an antimalarial drug developed later, builds on the knowledge established through the use of quinine. However, quinine itself is historically significant as the primary treatment for malaria before the introduction of synthetic alternatives, making it a key substance in the fight against this disease.