Everything about Madagascar Periwinkle totally explained
Catharanthus (
Madagascar Periwinkle) is a genus of eight species of
herbaceous perennial plants, seven
endemic to the island of
Madagascar, the eighth native to the
Indian subcontinent in southern
Asia.
Species
Uses and cultivation
The species are self-propagating from seed; the seeds require a period of total darkness to germinate. Cuttings from mature plants will also root readily.
One species,
C. roseus, has been widely cultivated and introduced, becoming an
invasive species in some areas.
Pharmacological uses
C. roseus has gained interest from the
pharmaceutical industry; the
alkaloids
vincristine and
vinblastine from its sap have been shown to be an effective treatment for
leukaemia. Although the sap is poisonous if ingested, some 70 useful alkaloids have been identified from it. In Madagascar, extracts have been used for hundreds of years in
herbal medicine for the treatment of
diabetes, as
hemostatics and
tranquilizers, to lower
blood pressure, and as
disinfectants. The extracts are not without their side effects, however, which include
hair loss.
Vinca alkaloids
Vinca alkaloids are
anti-mitotic and anti-
microtubule agents. They are nowadays produced synthetically and used as
drugs in
cancer therapy and as
immunosuppressive drugs. These compounds are
vinblastine,
vincristine,
vindesine and
vinorelbine. Periwinkle extracts and derivatives, such as
vinpocetine, are also used as
nootropic drugs.
Catharanthus lanceus contains up to 6%
yohimbine in its leaves.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Madagascar Periwinkle'.
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