Madagascar Periwinkle

Catharanthus roseus

Other Names : Catharanthus roseus, Vinca major, bright eyes, Cape periwinkle, graveyard plant, old maid, pink periwinkle, rose periwinkle, rosy periwinkle, Zhang Chun Hua, Evergreen, Early-flowering, Ammocallis rosea, and Lochnera rosea
Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar Periwinkle) is a species of Catharanthus native and endemic to Madagascar.
See also :

• Zhang Chun Hua
• Lesser Periwinkle

Special Precautions of Madagascar Periwinkle

• In Italy the rosy periwinkle was traditionally referred to as the “Flower of Death.” This is due to the extreme toxicity of the flower and the whole plant. While rosy periwinkle is a valuable medicine, it is also extremely poisonous. Consumption of the plant, other than in small amounts, can be fatal. It Contains a group of alkaloids including vinchristine and vinblastine both of which are used in chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is, of course, controlled poisoning.
• Excess results in hypotension, low blood pressure, which can cause collapse.
• * All vinca alkaloids produce peripheral neurotoxicity, but Vincristine is more potent compared to other vinca alkaloids. The primary pathological effect of vinca alkaloids is axonal degeneration. The uptake of Vincristine into the brain is low and there also observed infrequent central nervous system effects, such as confusion, mental status changes, depression, hallucinations and visual disturbances. Laryngeal paralysis was also reported at times. The only effective way to reduce neurotoxicity caused by vinca alkaloid is by discontinuing treatment or by decreasing the dose and dosing frequency. Neutropenia is the main dose-limiting toxicity of Vinblastine, Vindesine and Vinorelbine. Thrombocytopenia and anemia rarely reported. Vincristine rarely causes hematologic toxicity; severe myelosuppression has been monitored in situations resulting in profoundly increased drug exposure and hepatic deficiency.
• Gastrointestinal toxicities may be observed with the usage of vinca alkaloids. Vincristine or high doses of the other vinca alkaloids cause gastrointestinal autonomic dysfunction which includes constipation, ileus and abdominal pain. Mucositis occurs more frequently with Vinblastine than Vinorelbine and is common with Vincristine. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea were also reported.
• The vinca alkaloids are effective vesicants and these may lead to tissue damage also. Acute cardiac ischemia, chest pains without ischemia, fever without an obvious source, acute pulmonary effects, Raynaud phenomenon have also been reported with the use of vinca alkaloids.
• Vinca alkaloids are contraindicated during pregnancy, have been planning for pregnancy or during breast-feeding as it may cause birth abnormalities. Patients should not receive any vaccinations while taking this medication. Vincristine may also cause weakness of immunity system and can lead to an illness. Patients should notify their clinician in prior about any prescription drugs taken concurrently and also suffering with any other medical conditions, such as, herpes zoster infection, gout, kidney stones, chickenpox, infections, liver disease, nerve or muscle disease. However, the drug concentration and treatment duration are of main importance for determining drug accumulation and cytotoxicity.

Health benefits and Uses of Madagascar Periwinkle

The plant has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and other healing systems. Western medical science began researching Catharanthus roseus and its extracts during the 20th century, finding several compounds useful in cancer treatment. Older texts may refer to the plant by its earlier Latin name, Vinca rosea.

Records indicate that Catharanthus roseus has been used as a medicinal herb for centuries. Although native to Madagascar, the plant has naturalized throughout subtropical Asia, Africa and the Americas and has been used both ornamentally and medicinally. All parts of the plant have been used in regional herbal medicine, including the dried root, leaves, flowers and stalks. Alkaloids used in modern medicine are extracted from the whole dried plant. To help preserve the plant in the wild, it is cultivated for medicinal use in many areas of the world.

• Indian Ayurvedic medicine and other traditional herbal systems use Catharanthus roseus for the treatment of diabetes.
• Insect stings are relieved using a juice from the leaves.
• Herbal use in the Caribbean includes using extracts from the flowers as an eyewash for infants. The flowers are also used for treating asthma and excess gas.
• Other traditional herbal treatments include using the plant for painful menstruation, tuberculosis and rheumatism.
• Cancer : The plant contains dozens of alkaloids, including vinblastine, which was found to have anti-tumor properties. Medication made from this alkaloid is used to treat Hodgkin’s lymphoma, an immune system cancer. A second alkaloid, vincristine, is utilized for treating leukemia in children. It has been credited with significantly improving the survival rate of victims of childhood leukemia.
• Numerous research studies have been conducted on the plant and its extracts. Laboratory studies suggest that it does have potential for treating diabetes. Moreover, antibacterial properties have been found in the extracts of the leaves. The flower petals, seeds and other parts of the plant exhibit antioxidant properties.
• Ayurveda :
  • Traditional uses have included: cancer, diabetes and ocular inflammation.
  • Its main use is in the treatment of excessive menstrual flow, either during the period itself or with blood loss between periods.
  • A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh leaves; it is used in the treatment of haemorrhages.
  • It contains the alkaloid "vincamine", which is used by the pharmaceutical industry as a cerebral stimulant and vasodilator.
  • It can be used in digestive problems such as colitis or diarrhoea where it will act to reduce the loss of fluid or blood whilst toning the membranes.
  • It may also be used in cases of nose bleed, bleeding gums, mouth ulcers or sore throats.
  • Made into an ointment, useful for piles and inflammatory conditions of the skin.
  • Periwinkle contains "reserpine", which reduces high blood pressure.
  • It was used as a folk remedy for diabetes and the juice from the leaves was used to treat wasp stings.
  • The plant was boiled to make a poultice to stop bleeding.
  • It was used as a homemade cold remedy to ease lung congestion and inflammation and sore throats.
  • An extract from the flowers was used to make a solution to treat eye irritation and infections.
• In traditional Chinese medicine, extracts from it have been used against numerous diseases, including diabetes, malaria, and Hodgkin's lymphoma. (See : Zhang Chun Hua)
• Many of the vinca alkaloids were first isolated from Catharanthus roseus, including vinblastine and vincristine used in the treatment of leukemia and Hodgkin's lymphoma.

References

• van Der Heijden, Robert; Jacobs, Denise I.; Snoeijer, Wim; Hallard, Didier; Verpoorte, Robert (2004). "The Catharanthus alkaloids: Pharmacognosy and biotechnology". Current Medicinal Chemistry. 11 (5): 607–628. doi:10.2174/0929867043455846. PMID 15032608.
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