INTRODUCTION:

Probably the use of vinca has been known from 50 B.C. (before Christ) in European countries as antidysentric, antihaemorrhagic, diuretic and wound healing. This plant was used in the form of ‘tea’ for treatment of diabetes in Jamaica and in Brazil for toothache. This plant was first scientifically investigated by Canadian workers Noble, Beer, and cuts. During these studies, it was found that it does not have any oral hypoglycemic principle, but contains alkaloids possessing ant leukemic principle and the alkaloid was named as vinca leucoblastine. Because of such activity, the plant was thoroughly investigated at M/s Eli Lilly by Svoboda and his colleagues and they reported four dimeric indole alkaloids, viz. Vinca leucoblastine, leurosine, leurosidine and leurocristine. All these compounds exhibited anti-cancer activities. Some changes were later reported for the names of these compounds such as Vincaleucoblastine to vinblastine and leurosine, leurosidine and leurocristine to vinleurosine, vinrosidine and vincristine respectively^1,2. Another names of Vinca rosea are Catharanthus roseus or periwinkle or Nayantara or Sadabahar. It is a vitally important medicinal plant of the Apocynaceae family. Vinca grows all over India upto 500 metres. It thrives in tropical and subtropical climates found in the states of North east and South India. Vinca doesn’t require any particular soil conditions. It thrives in light sandy soil that is high in humus. The ideal amount of rainfall for it is roughly 100cm. The plant do not need much water supply and are drought resistant. Though, the plant doesn’t need a specific fertilizer source, a combination of potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen produces good results. More than seventy distinct indole alkaloids are found in the stem of the vinca rosea plant, which yields a milky sap. Among them there are two Anti –neoplastic substances, vinblastine and vincristin, are sourced from the plant. Vinblastine is used to treat juvenile leukemia, while vincristine is used as part of a chemotherapy regimen for Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The primary adverse effects of the vinca alkaloids are peripheral neuropathy, hair loss, hyponatremia and constipation. They also hinder the metaphase of cellular mitosis^3.4.5.

Morphological Characterization of Vinca Rosea:

They are evergreen subshrub or herbaceous plant that reaches a height of 32 to 80 cm. It features shimmering, deep green foliage with summertime blooms. The flowers of the plant have a naturally occurring pale pink core with a purple "eye". Erect or accumbent suffrutex, typically made of white latex, up to one meter. Green stems that are frequently tinged with purple or crimson.

Botanical Name(s):	Vinca Rosea (Catharanthus roseus)
Family Name:	Apocynaceae
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
Class:	Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Apocynaceae
Genus:	Catharanthus
Species:	C. roseus

Vernacular names:

English:	Cayenne Jasmine, Old Maid, Periwinkle
Hindi:	Sada Bahar, Sadabahar
Kannada:	Batla Hoo, Bili Kaasi Kanigalu, Ganeshana Hoo, Kempu Kaasi Kanigalu
Malayalam:	Banappuvu, Nityakalyani, Savanari, Usamalari
Marathi:	Sadaphool, Sadaphul, Sadaphuli
Sanskrit:	Nityakalyani, Rasna, Sadampuspa, Sadapushpi
Tamil:	Cutkattu Malli, Cutukattu Malli, Cutukattuppu
Telugu:	Billaganneru
Gujarati:	Barmasi
Bengali:	Noyontara

Chemical identification test of vinca rosea

Dragendorff’s reagent test

Procedure:

Take 5ml of vinca extract solution and add 2ml of Dragendorff’s reagent (potassium bimuth iodide) in test tube and shake the test tube

If reddish brown precipitate is form, the sample contain alkaloids

Observation:

Fig 1: Reddish Brown color precipitate shows the presence of alkaloid in vinca rosea

Mayer’s reagent test:

Add 2mL of plant extract to a test tube

Add 1–2 drops of Mayer's reagent along the sides of the test tube

Observe for the formation of a white or yellow precipitate

Explanation:

Fig 2: Light green color occurred

Hager's reagent test

Procedure :

Take 5ml of vinca extract and add 2 ml Hager’s resagent (saturated picric acid solution)

Bright yellow colour precipitate formulation shows the presence of alkaloids in vinca.

Obervation:

Fig 4: Bright yellow color precipitate shows the presence of alkaloids in vin

Plant details:

Common name: Periwinkle, Annual Vinca.

Other scientific name: Vinca Rosea.

Plant type: flower, Annual.

Leaves: Oval leaves (1-2in long) decussate, petiolate; lamina variable, elliptic, obovate or narrowly obviate; apex mucronate.

Fig 5: Back and front view

Flower:

Flower are elegant, 4-5 cm height, white or pink, with a core of pale yellow, purple, red, or white follicule of 1.2-3.8 × 0.2-0.3 cm, prone to axial side damage. The 1-2 mm seeds are many, with a groove on one side. Soil, climate, and propagation.

Flowering period:

From spring to late fall in warm temperate areas, and all year round in equatorial settings.

Fig 6: a white vinca flower; b. pink vinca flower

Fruit:

A couple of lengthy hair like projections.

Stem:

Erect, cylindrical, branching, solid, glabrous, and reddish-green.

Fig 7: a. Fruit picture; b. Stem picture

Root:

Tap root; seldom bifurcated

Calyx:

5, quincunical aestivate, green, glandular, polysepalous, inferior.

Corolla:

5, gampetalous surrounding corolla tube, hairy neck creating corona, twisted aestivate.

Androcium:

5, free, epipetalous, alternating to petals, somewhat sessile, yellowish-colored anthers.

Gynoecium:

Is composed of two carpells, bicarpellary, syncarpous, carpel joined above in the style and stigma area, free ovaries, present unilocular nectar glands, and marginal plaventation.

Soil:

Ideally, the soil should drain properly and get full sun.

Moisture of soil:

Proper drainage Medium of Drought Tolerance.

Light:

For healthy flowering, bright light for three or four hours of direct sunlight each day is necessary.

Temperature:

At all times, a normal room temperature is appropriate. It is intolerant of temperatures below 10°C (50°F).

Irrigation:

They should not be overwatered; instead, they require consistent hydration. Once established, it is reasonably drought resistant, though it should receive reasonable irrigation during the growth season. Once well-watered, they will recover.

Fertilization:

The plants do not reproduce heavily. If required, fertilize once a month or every two weeks with a moderate amount of liquid fertilizer. Over fertilization will result in an abundance of leaves rather than more blooms.

Watering:

Make sure to give the potting mixture lots of water, but avoid submerging the pot.

Feeding:

Start using a regular liquid fertilizer every two weeks as soon as the flowers start to bloom. Over fertilizer is not tolerant of plants.^6,7,8

Microscopic Study of Vinca Rosea Plant:

Leaf Constant:

The average number of palisade cell. The palisade ratio can be calculated using a powdered medication and is explained as the average number of palisade cells beneath each epidermal cell. Vein-islet number is the quantity of vein islets per square millimeter of leaf surface, located halfway between the edge and the midrib. Levin calculated the vein islet number of multiple dicot leaves in 1929.The number of veinlet terminations per square millimeter of leaf epidermis is known as the vein-termination number. The stomatal index is the proportion of stomata to total epidermal cells, with each stoma being counted as a single cell.

Calculate by following equation.

S.I. = ------------ 100

E +S

Where,

S.I. = Stomatal index

S = Stomata number per unit area

E = Epidermal cell present in same unit area

Trichomes:

These are yet another crucial diagnostic feature that aids in medication identification and adulterant detection. Trichomes are also referred to as plant hair.
The two parts of trichomes are the body (beyond the epidermis) and the root (within the epidermis) Trichomes are found in most plant sections, including leaves (senna and digitalis). Seed (strophanthus and nux-vomica), fruit such as ladies’ finger and Helicteris isora, etc.

Trichomes are inert, however they occasionally carry out secretory functions. Trichomes release water and occasionally volatile oil. For example, trichomes are present in most of the plant’s aerial portions but not in the roots of peppermint; they are also absent in coca, sevin, and hemlock, and sporadically present in henna and buchu. The classification of trichomes is based on their structure and number of cells are as follow:

1) Covering trichomes or non-globular trichomes or clothing trichomes.

2) Glandular trichomes.

3) Hydathodes or special type of trichomes.

Trichomes of Vinca Rosea:

Trichomes of Vinca Rosea are non- Globular Trichomes:

Fig 9: T.S. of vinca

Stomata:

The leaf's epidermis exhibits a variety of features, such as cell inclusion, trichrome, water pores, and cutical stomata. A stoma is a tiny epidermal incision that has the following properties.

1) Central pores

2) A pair of comparable kidney-shaped cells, known as the guard cell, that are covered in different numbers of subsidiary cells and contain chloroplasts

Stomata’s primary and most significant function is gaseous exchange; transpiration is their secondary function. While stomata are generally present in the green parts of plants (mostly leaves), they are absent from roots. In addition to leaves, stomata are also present in stems (ephedra), flowers (clove), and fruits (fennel). The distribution of stomata between the upper and lower epidermis in dicot leaves has shown significant variation, but generally speaking, it is observed that stomata are abundant in dicot leaves. In some cases, however, they are present only on the lower surface of the leaf (coca and cherry), while in other cases they are present on both surfaces.

Types of Stomata:

1) Moss type

2) Gymnospermous type

3) Gramineous type

4) Dicotyledonous type.

5) Of them, the 4th kind of stomata is important for diagnosis. Dicotyledonous stomata are categorized by kind based on the configuration and shape of their subsidiary cells.

A) Paracytic or Rubiaceous or Parallel-Celled Stomata:

Examples of that form of stomata include coca and senna leaves, they have two guard cells and two auxiliary cells with long axes parallel to the stoma covering them.

B) Diacytic or Caryophyllaceous or Cross-Celled Stomata:

Similar to paracytic stomas, the guard cell is enclosed by two auxiliary cells; however, these cells, such as spearmint, vasaka, and peppermint are positioned at an angle to the stoma on the guard cell.

C) Anisocytic or Cruciferous or Unequal -Celled Stomata:

As in all situations, there are two guard cells. Belladonna, datura and stramonium are examples of the three subsidiary cells that sustain the guard cells; one of these cells is notably smaller than the other two.

D) Anomocytic or Ranunculaceous or Irregular- Celled Stomata:

This kind of stomata is encircled by a variety of auxiliary cells that resemble other skin cells, such as lobelia and buchu digitalis.

Actinocytic stomata are an additional form of stomata recognized by Indian Pharmacopeia.

E) Actinocytic or Radiate – Celled Stomata:

A radial ring of secondary cells surrounds the two guard cells.¹

Stomata of Vinca Rosea:

Fig 10: Stomata of pink vinca

Fig 11: Stomata of white vinca

Active Chemical Constituents of Vinca Rosea:

1. Vinca plants are renowned for their rich reservoir of indole alkaloids, notably vincristine and vinblastine, which are prized for their pharmacological properties. These alkaloids play pivotal roles in various medical applications, including cancer treatment. In addition to vincristine and vinblastine, Vinca species also harbor a diverse array of other alkaloids, such as ajmalicine, serpentine, and lochnerine. These compounds contribute to the complex chemical profile of Vinca plants, which has spurred significant interest in their potential therapeutic benefits and pharmacological mechanisms. When catharanthine and vindoline, two indole alkaloids, combine, they undergo a process known as coupling to produce vinca alkaloids.

2. Vinca plants are rich in chemical compounds known as alkaloids, which are found throughout the shrub. However, the leaves and roots have particularly high concentrations of these alkaloids. Researchers have identified around 90 different alkaloids in Vinca. Among these, some notable ones like Ajmalicine, Serpentine, and Tetrahydroalstonine are also found in other plants belonging to the Apocynaceae family.

3. Vinblastine and vincistrene are chemical analogues of vincristine, an alkaloid obtained from the Madagascar periwinkle plant, also called as Vinca rosea or Catharanthus roseus. These drugs work by binding to the proteins in the microtubules of the mitotic spindle, preventing biological division during the anaphase stage of mitosis. This stops the mitotic process and leads to cell death. As a result, vinblastine and vincistrene are effective specifically during the M-phase of the biological cycle, targeting only dividing cells.^11,12,13

Pharmacological Activity of Vinca:

Anti-Diabetic Activity:

Ethanol-based extracts from the flowers and leaves of Vinca rosea resemble the diabetic medication glibenclamide. The liver’s enhanced use of glucose is what gave rise to the hypoglycemic activity. The liver's utilisation of glucose has been linked to hypoglycemic action. When administered orally for 7–15 days, a 500 mg/kg dose of bichloromethane: methyl alcohol extract [1:1] exerts hypoglycemic effect on vinca leaves and branches in a streptozotocin-induced model of a diabetic rat. There was 48.6 and 57.6% hypoglycemic action, and extra treatment (75mg/kg/IP) for 30 days fully shielded against the STZ challenge. The enzyme activities that cause the liver of diabetic animals to diminish include glucose6-phosphate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, and glycogen synthase. These enzyme activities are improved after the liver is taken with extract orally at a quantity of 500 mg/kg for seven days.^6,7,8

Anti-microbial activity:

With its vast therapeutic potential, vinca aids in the development of new pharmaceuticals as it increases the resistance of most bacterial infections to the majority of antimicrobial medications now on the market. Additionally, the plants contain natural chemical compounds that have a wide range of potential effects, with a focus mostly on preventive measures.¹⁴

The anti-Helminthic Action:

Cattle and humans are more vulnerable to this helminthic infection illness is chronic. The anti- helminthic properties of vinca have been assessed using the Pherithema postuma experimentation paradigm and piperazine citrate as the gold standard. The ethanolic extract’s anti-helminthic activity is 250mg/ml.¹⁵

Wound Healing Property:

Rats with the ability to heal wounds are given ethanol extracts at a quantity of 100mg/kg per day. An enhance in dry weight and hydroxyproline is indicative of a decrease in the epithelization time with a rapid rate of contraction of the wound. Tensile strength is increased in conjunction with hydroxyproline, which helps regulate wound healing.¹⁶

Hypolipidimic activity:

The juice of vinca leaf has an anti-atherosclerotic effect by lowering serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, and VLDL-c. Consequently, the flavonoid, vinpocetine-like molecule found in vinca leaf juice had an antioxidant effect.¹⁷

Anti-Diarrheal Property:

Ethanolic leaf extracts and castor oil are utilized to evaluate the anti-diarrheal properties in wistar mice as part of a diarrhea pretreatment experiment. The quantity-dependent reduction of castor oil- caused diarrhea demonstrated anti-diarrheal effect.At the quantity of 200 and 500mg/kg, there is a quantity-dependent suppression of the diarrhea caused by castor oil and a suppression of an inhibition of the digestive propulsion of charcoal meal. The traditional use of vinca in the management and treatment of diarrhea is supported by these evidence.¹⁸

Antiulcer Action:

Vincamine and vindoline are two alkaloids that possess anti-ulcer properties. Plant leaves that contain vincamine have neuroprotective and cerebrovasodilatory properties, but they also cause stomach damage in rats.¹⁹

Hypotensive Property:

The leaf extract has the hypotensive quality and contains 150 beneficial alkaloids along with other components that are pharmacologically active. Studies on lab animals have shown that leaf extracts (hydroalcoholic or dichloromethanemethanol) exhibit hypoglycemic and hypotensive properties.²⁰

Anti-Cancer Action:

In intravenous therapy, C. roseus are administered; eventually, the liver utilized it and expelled. These medication’s primary adverse effects includes hyponatremia, blockage, fringe nerve demage, or going bald. Vinorelbine and vinflunine, two semi engineered Catharanthus alkaloids, were developed in order to enhance the remedial list. Tubulin is the target forth anticancer effects of vinorelbine and vinflunine. These alkaloids influence certain human cancers by limiting their development. Vinblastine is recommended for chorio carcinoma, Hodgkin'sdisease, along with appiled in a tentative manner to treat neoplasmas. In vitro, C. Roseus has been demonstrated to have notable antitumor action towards variety of cell types; however, its most notable action was observed against tumor types that were safe to treat with many drugs. Vinca’s alkaloids, often referred as mitotic axle damages, stop microtubules from assembling axle structures, hence stopping the cell cycle’s mitotic phase. Hence, vinca’s alkaloids efficiently stop disease causing cell from proliferating. Unique vinca’s alkaloids possess specific characteristics of their own. Because vinca alkaloids are clear specialists of the cell cycle, they square cells during mitosis. Vinca alkaloids bind specifically to btubulin, preventing it from polymerizing in to microtubules with a-tubulin. Copies of the chromosomes cannot move down the division plate in the absence of a perfect mitotic axle, which results in cell division being stopped in metaphase. Apoptosis-related alteration soccurin cells that are blocked during mitosis.²¹

Anthelminthic Activity:

Both humans and steers are constantly infected by helminthes contaminations. Utilizing Piperazine citrate serves to be standard and Pherithemaposthuma to be anexploratory, the anthelminthic characteristic of C. roseus was evaluated. The ethanolic separate demonstrated critical anthelminthic actionata concentration of 250mg/ml showed a dying period as 46.33min, while regular drug with 50mg/ml demonstrated a passing season as 40.67min. The ethnomedical cases of C. roseus as an anthelminthic herb benefit from this investigation.²²

Alzheimer’s Disease:

Numerous activities of vinpocetine have been shown to enhance memory and brain function; it is especially advantageous in cases of Alzheimer's disease. There were non otable side effects observed when vinpocetine was administered at a accepted dosages of up to 60 mg/d in research studies for stroke and Alzheimer.²³

Memory Enhancement Activity:

There are a number of actions associated with vinpocetine that may be useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). There was no benefit discovered in the primary investigation on this operator in a broadly described group of AD patients. A meta-analysis of previous research on vinpocetine in populations with dementia that was not well described conclusion which is currently not enough data at this time to warrant its therapeutic usage. Vinpocetineis generally can be accepted up to the dosages of 60 mg/d in stroke and preliminary stages of Alzheimer’s disease, without causing any appreciable side effects.²⁴

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Received on 28.02.2025 Revised on 19.03.2025

Accepted on 05.04.2025 Published on 10.05.2025

Available online from May 14, 2025

Res. J. Pharmacognosy and Phytochem. 2025; 17(2):95-101.

DOI: 10.52711/0975-4385.2025.00016

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