Linn.
Family: Apocynaceae.
Habitat: Grown in Indian gardens as an ornamental.
English: Lesser Periwinkle.
Action: Astringent and circulatory stimulant (contain alkaloid vin- camine). Used for gastric catarrh, chronic dyspepsia; restlessness, headache, dizziness, and for the prevention of premature aging of brain cells, as a geriatic support.
The herb contains indole alkaloids (0.15-1.4%). The major constituent in vincamine; others include vinic, apovincamine, vincadifformin.Vincamine is hypotensive; increases blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain. The vincamine content in the herb is low and fluctuates greatly. Overdose of the extract brings about a severe drop in blood pressure.Vincamine, as a pure substance is available for therapeutic administration.
A group of powerful CYTOTOXIC (anticancer) drugs used to treat acute LEUKAEMIA, LYMPHOMA and some solid tumours such as breast and lung cancers. Originally derived from the periwinkle plant, the latest vinca alkaloid (VINORELBINE) is a semi-synthetic drug. These alkaloids, which are given intravenously, have potentially serious side-effects on the nervous system and also suppress the production of MYELOID cells in the bone marrow.... vinca alkaloids
one of a group of *antimitotic drugs (see also cytotoxic drug) derived from the periwinkle (Vinca rosea). Vinca alkaloids are used especially to treat leukaemias and lymphomas; they include vinblastine, vincristine, and vindesine. Vinorelbine is used in the treatment of advanced breast cancer and *non-small-cell lung cancer. Vinflunine is given by intravenous infusion to treat *transitional cell carcinoma. Vinca alkaloids are highly toxic; side-effects include *myelosuppression, peripheral neuropathy, and severe irritation at the injection site.... vinca alkaloid