Dichroa febrifuga | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Cornales |
Family: | Hydrangeaceae |
Genus: | Dichroa |
Species: | D. febrifuga
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Binomial name | |
Dichroa febrifuga |
Dichroa febrifuga is a flowering plant in the family Hydrangeaceae.
Dichroa febrifuga is an important herb in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is considered one of the 50 fundamental herbs.[2] The alkaloids febrifugine and isofebrifugine are believed to be responsible for its antimalarial effects.[3] In traditional preparations, it is used in conjunction with other plants such as Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), Ziziphus jujuba and Zingiber officinale (ginger).[4]
Halofuginone, sold under the brand name Halocur, is a coccidiostat used in veterinary medicine. It is a synthetic halogenated derivative of febrifugine, a natural quinazolinone alkaloid which can be found in dichroa febrifuga.[5]
Halofuginone inhibits the development of T helper 17 cells, immune cells that play an important role in autoimmune disease, but it does not affect other kinds of T cells which are involved in normal immune function.[6] Halofuginone therefore has potential for the treatment of autoimmune disorders.[7]