Medicinal properties of vinca alkaloid (Catharanthus roseus) and their
impact on human health
Abstract
Abstract: Medicinal plants, contain a variety of phytochemicals
promising as traditional medicine for the treatment of chronic and
infectious diseases, has been safe and effective alternatives with fewer
side effects than synthetic agents. Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don (C.
roseus) has been widely available and used to treat various diseases in
many countries. It is attracting more and more attention as it has been
shown to have a wide range of phytochemicals with various biological
activities such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic
and anticancer characteristic. Notably, vinblastine and vincristin
isolated from this plant were the first plants derived from this plant
anticancer agents deployed for clinical purposes. In addition,
vindoline, vindolidine, vindolicine and vindolinine isolated from C.
roseus leaves showed antidiabetic properties. These findings indicate
that the plant remains a promising source of bioactive substances. This
article provides an overview of the tradition use and pharmacological
uses of C. roseus, and a summary of updated health benefits of extracts
and bioactive compounds derived from this plant have also been addressed
to support their potential as therapeutic agents.