Febrifugine is an antimalarial, the active component of the Chinese herb Chang Shan. Recent studies indicate that its mechanism of action is as an inhibitor of prolyl-transfer RNA synthetase (ProRS).
Febrifugine dihydrochloride exhibits strong antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum, the most insidious malaria causative agent. The adverse effects of febrifugine include diarrhoea, vomiting and liver toxicity.