Abstract

VINCA ALKALOIDS CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS A HERBAL MEDICINE

Anjan Biswas*, Mrs. Deepika Deopa, Dr. Vijay Singh

ABSTRACT

Vinca alkaloid (derived from Catharanthus roseus) are a subset of drugs (anti-mitotic and anti-microtubule alkaloid) obtained from the Madagascar periwinkle plant. They are naturally extracted from the pink periwinkle plant, Catharanthus roseus G. Don and have hypoglycemic as well as cytotoxic effects. They block beta-tubulin polymerization in a dividing cell. The plant is native of Madagascar and is found in many tropical and subtropical countries especially in India, Australia, South Africa and North and South America. The plant is cultivated as garden plant in Europe and India. The vinca alkaloids are also important for being cancer fighters. The Madagascar periwinkle has a reputation in folk remedy in the treatment of diabetes. vinka alkaloid are used as immunosuppressive drugs. Vinca Alkaloid are chemically indole alkaloids and are known to possess anti-cancer, anti-hypertensive and anti- diabetic roles. The principle members of group are vincristine, vinblastine, vindesine, vinorelbine. Vinflunine isalso a new synthetic vinca alkaloid, which has been approved in Europe for the treatment of second-line transitional cell carcinoma of the urothelium is being developed for other malignancies. Catharanthus roseus (Vinca plant) is an important plant having many medicinal uses. It is popularly known as Madagascar periwinkle. It is small in size perennial herbaceous evergreen plant that was native to the Madagascar island .It has attracted increasing attention due to it being shown to possess a range of phytochemicals with various biological activities such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic and anticancer properties. It delivers about 130 alkaloids predominantly ajmalcine, vinceine, resperine, vincristine, vinblastine and raubasin. Remarkably, vinblastine and vincristine isolated from this plant were the first plant-derived anticancer agents deployed for clinical use. This paper provides an overview of the traditional use and phytochemical profiles of C. roseus, and summarises updated techniques of the preparation of dried material, extraction and isolation of bioactive compounds from this plant. In addition, purported health benefits of the extracts and bioactive compounds derived from this plant were also addressed to support their potential as therapeutic agents.

Keywords: Vinka alkaloid, madagascar periwinkle,anti-microtubule, vincristine, vinblastine, vindesine, vinorelbin.