Vinca

Synonym                                              :           Catharanthus ,Madagscar Periwinkle , Vinca Rosea

Biological Source                                  :           Vinca is the dried plant or leaves of

                                                                             Catharanthus rosens

Scientific Name                                    :           Catharanthus rosens

Family                                                  :           Apocynaceae.

Geographical Distribution                      :           India , South Africa , U.S.A etc

Organoleptic Characters :

                        i) Colour                       :           Dark green or green

                        ii) Odour                      :           Fainnt or Charecteristics

                        iii) Taste                       :           Bitter .

                        iv)  Length                    :           4.5 cm

                        v)   Wide                      :           2.5 cm

                        vi) Shape                      :           Simple , ovate.

                       vii) Apex                       :           Obtuse or Acute

                      viii) Surface                    :           Smooth

                        ix) Texture                    :           Glossy  

                        x)  Petiole                     :           Long

                        xi) Leaf phase               :           Assymetrical or symmetrical

                        xii) Margin                    :           Entire .

                       xiii) Venation                 :           Reticulate .

Extra feature – Simple leaf wihth glossy appearance .

Chemical constituents – Vinca is mainly alkaloids .They are classified as

i)                    Inolole dihydroindole type – Ajmaline , Serpentine ,

                                     Lochnerine and tetrahydro  alstonine

ii)                   Dimeric indole – Indoline type = Vincristine &

                                                                            Vinblastine

                 These two alkaloids have Anti-cancer effect .

Uses :

i)                    Vincristine used for leukaemia in children

ii)                   Vinblastine is used for Hodgkin’s disease and choriocarcinoma .