Catharanthus Roseus (Vinca Rosea), Taxonomy, Phytochemicals and Pharmacological (Anti-Cancer) properties: A comprehensive overview

The lovely flowering perennial herb Catharanthus roseus is a year-round decorative plant. We call it Madagascar periwinkle. This plant is grown in a warm climate and is known to produce terpenoids, specifically indole alkaloids. In addition to being high in alkaloids, it also contains significant amounts of organic acids, phenolic compounds, and amino acids with pharmacological value throughout. Traditionally, this herbal plant is a boon to provide preventive action for many deadly health problems being confronted by humans by their direct or indirect usage in skin disease, high blood pressure, rheumatism, menstrual disorders, indigestion etc. Traditional medicine has traditionally used vinca rosea, especially for the treatment of diabetes. Researchers found that the plant contains alkaloids that have anti-cancer potential in the 1950s. Vinblastine, which was first used to treat Hodgkin's disease, was the first alkaloid to be identified. Vinblastine and vincristine, two significant alkaloids derived from C. roseus, have demonstrated encouraging results against a range of cancers, including leukaemia and Hodgkin's lymphoma. Vinblastine prevents microtubules from developing during cell division, which disrupts the cell cycle