Periwinkle — an evergreen plant used to make a cancer drug?
- Henryk Różański — Barwinek – Vinca w terapii
- A Systematic Review of the Pharmacological and Phytochemical Profiles of Madagascar periwinkle as Potential Dietary Supplement. · Zhongguo Ying Yong Sheng Li Xue Za Zhi 2023
- Vinca alkaloids. · Int J Prev Med 2013
- Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don: A review of its ethnobotany, phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology and toxicities. · J Ethnopharmacol 2022
- Vincristine-based nanoformulations: a preclinical and clinical studies overview. · Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024
- Clinical pharmacokinetics of vinorelbine. · Clin Pharmacokinet 1996
- Unlocking the therapeutic potential of Catharanthus roseus leaves via in-vitro, in-vivo, and in-silico study. · Sci Rep 2025
- Endophytic fungus Epichloe festucae from Catharanthus roseus as a novel source of vinblastine and vincristine with apoptosis-inducing activity. · 3 Biotech 2025
Henryk Różański describes the use of periwinkle for disorders of brain and eye circulation and in the treatment of some cancers.
- Vincamine from lesser periwinkle is said to improve blood flow to the brain; it is also given for dizziness, memory problems, and tinnitus.
- Alkaloids from Madagascar periwinkle are used, among other things, to treat leukemia, lymphoma, breast cancer, and testicular cancer.
- In folk medicine, periwinkle was also used for diarrhea, digestive problems, nosebleeds, and inflammation of the throat and mouth.
- Do not take periwinkle during pregnancy or while breastfeeding; do not give it to young children.
What the authors write
Vincamine from lesser periwinkle widens blood vessels in the brain and improves blood flow to nervous tissue; it is given for disorders of brain and eye circulation, dizziness, memory problems, and tinnitus.
Vinblastine is used to treat breast cancer, lymphomas, testicular cancer, and Kaposi’s sarcoma, while vincristine is used, among other things, to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia, lymphomas, and neuroblastoma.
Alkaloids from Madagascar periwinkle inhibit cell division and the excessive growth of cancerous tissue.
In folk medicine, periwinkle was used for diarrhea, digestive catarrh, nosebleeds, chest congestion, and skin rashes in children; an infusion was used to gargle and rinse the mouth for inflammation.
Periwinkle was considered a blood-pressure-lowering and antispasmodic remedy; it was also believed to help with hemorrhoids and heavy menstrual bleeding.
Periwinkle is said to improve brain circulation, lower blood glucose levels, increase resistance to infections, and activate the immune system.
Modern medicine does not use simple preparations made from periwinkle herb, but modern medicines containing its alkaloids.
Do not take periwinkle during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, and do not give it to young children.
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 7 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 166.
The review indicates that Madagascar periwinkle may have anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects.
Aim of the study: Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) is a plant species known for its rich pharmacological and phytochemical properties. This systematic review aims to comprehensively evaluate the potential of Madagascar periwinkle as a dietary supplement.
Results: The review highlights the diverse pharmacological effects of Madagascar periwinkle, including anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, among others. Furthermore, the phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolics, which contribute to its medicinal properties. Despite the promising findings, further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms of action, safety profile, and potential interactions of Madagascar periwinkle as a dietary supplement. Overall, this systematic review provides valuable insights into the pharmacological and phytochemical profiles of Madagascar periwinkle, suggesting its potential as a natural dietary supplement with diverse health benefits.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Periwinkle alkaloids are used as anticancer drugs, and their use in diabetes and high blood pressure is also mentioned.
Aim of the study: Vinca alkaloids are a subset of drugs obtained from the Madagascar periwinkle plant. They are naturally extracted from the pink periwinkle plant, Catharanthus roseus G.
Results: VCR, VBL and VRL have been approved for use in the United States. Vinflunine is also 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. Vinca alkaloids are the second-most-used class of cancer drugs and will stay among the original cancer therapies. Different researches and studies for new vinca alkaloid applications will be carried out in this regard.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
The review describes traditional uses of periwinkle, including the treatment of cancer and diabetes.
Aim of the study: The main idea behind this communication is to update comprehensively and analyze critically the traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and toxicity of various extracts and isolated compounds from C. roseus.
Results: C. roseus has a wide range of applications in the traditional system of medicine especially in cancer and diabetes. During phytochemical investigation, total of 344 compounds including monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) (110), bisindole alkaloids (35), flavonoids (34), phenolic acids (9) and volatile constituents (156) have been reported in the various extracts and fractions of different plant parts of C. roseus. The extracts and isolated compounds of C. roseus have to exhibit many pharmacological activities such as anticancer/cytotoxic, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, larvicidal and pupicidal. The comparative toxicity of extracts and bioactive compounds investigated in dose dependent manner. The investigation of toxicity showed that the both extracts and isolated compounds are safe to a certain limit beyond that they cause adverse effects.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Vincristine from periwinkle is used in chemotherapy for several cancers, including leukemia and lung cancer.
Aim of the study: Vincristine (VCR) is a chemotherapeutic agent obtained from natural alkaloid plant source Catharanthus roseus. VCR has been significantly useful in treatments of lung cancer, lymphocyte-based leukaemia, glioblastomas and acute myeloid leukaemia.
Results: Currently, nanotechnological drug delivery systems are being explored for improvement of VCR pharmacokinetic profile and tumour-specific targeting. Various nanomedicine formulations such as liposomes, lipid nanoparticles, and polymeric nanocarriers of VCR have been studied under various in vitro and in vivo models. In this review, we have summarised the chemotherapeutic role of VCR, evaluated the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics and challenges associated with VCR delivery. Moreover, application of VCR in nanomedicine and effect on anticancer efficacy in preclinical and clinical setting are also being discussed.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Vinorelbine, a periwinkle alkaloid, shows clinical activity in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer and metastatic breast cancer.
Aim of the study: Vinorelbine (5'-noranhydrovinblastine) is a recently developed semisynthetic anticancer drug which belongs to the Catharanthus alkaloid family. Its mechanism of action is only partially known but it is assumed that it acts, like vinblastine and vincristine, as an antimicrotubule agent arresting cell division in mitosis.
Results: In children, vinorelbine seems to display a shorter t1/2 (14.7 hours) than that found in adults. In addition, the systemic clearance is highly variable [from 12 to 93.96 L/h/m2 (200 to 1566 ml/min/m2)]. Vinorelbine is often co-administered with cisplatin in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. The disposition of the alkaloid is not altered by concurrent administration of cisplatin.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In a mouse model, periwinkle leaf extracts lowered blood glucose levels, and the ethanol extract improved the lipid profile.
Aim of the study: Catharanthus roseus (L.) (CR), is a perennial flowering herb, has traditionally been used by local populations in South Asia, Africa, China and Malaysia to treat diabetes, cancer and microbial infection.
Results: The in-vitro antidiabetic study revealed a dose-dependent hypoglycemic potential of the extracts and fraction; where ECR showed the highest α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory effects with the IC50 value of 0.62 ± 0.02 mg/ml and 0.64 ± 0.01 mg/ml respectively. The antiarthritic activity was assessed by using bovine serum albumin denaturation inhibition assay and the denaturation was found to be inhibited by all extracts and fraction. The MCR and DCR fractions inhibited the denaturation by 70.20% and 62.09%, respectively, at 1600 µg/mL compared to the standard aspirin (81.57%).
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
The study found that alkaloids produced by a fungus associated with periwinkle were cytotoxic to cervical and breast cancer cells in laboratory conditions.
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
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