World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS: CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES- A REVIEW

Rupali Jaiswal*, Asheesh Kumar Singh, Navneet Kumar Verma, Prem Chand Mall, Vikas Yadav

ABSTRACT

Medicinal plants were the potent source of various novel pharmaceutical products that shows ect causing potent pharmacological effect on the human beings. Instead of using the side effects causing chemical drugs, the ancient medicine could be explored to identify the novel drug formulations that are more effective with lesser side effects and also cheaper cost. Though, many of the traditional drugs were used without understanding the basic mechanism, their effect could be proved further with the help of the present technology and tools. The active compound that is responsible for the pharmacological effect could be found very easily and also commercialized as a drug product itself with proper approval from the respective organizations. Catharanthus roseus is one of the 21000 important medicinal plants found. It is used for the cure of a number of diseases such as diabetes, sore mouth, mouth ulcers, and leukemia. It produces about 130 alkaloids such as reserpine, vinceine, raubasin and ajmalcine. Anti-leukemic activity is shown by vinblastine and vincristine. Different parts of this plant produce different amounts of alkaloids, out of which root bark produces the maximum i.e. nearly 1.79%. There are a number of reports supporting its anti-microbial activity against Staphylococcus albusi, Bacillus megatarium, Shigella, Pseudomonas, etc. Its anti-oxidant and anti-mutagenic effects have also been reported. Further studies need to be done to explore its anti-tumour effects.

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