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Origin and geographic distribution

Catharanthus roseus originates from Madagascar, but for centuries it has been cultivated as an ornamental throughout the tropics and occasionally in the subtropics; it has become naturalized in many regions. It was brought under cultivation in the first half of the 18th century in Paris, from seeds collected in Madagascar, and was later distributed from European botanical gardens to the tropics. The antimitotic properties of some of its alkaloids were discovered accidentally in the late 1950s during searches for antidiabetic substances.

Uses

In Africa, especially in the Indian Ocean islands, medicinal uses of Catharanthus roseus are manifold and are similar to those in Asia. A decoction of all parts of Catharanthus roseus is well known as an oral hypoglycaemic agent. The decoction is also taken to treat malaria, dengue fever, diarrhoea, diabetes, cancer and skin diseases. Extracts prepared from the leaves have been applied as antiseptic agents for the healing of wounds, against haemorrhage and skin rash and as a mouthwash to treat toothache. The aerial parts are also considered diaphoretic and diuretic, and decoctions are taken to relieve indigestion, dyspepsia, dysentery, toothache and the effects of wasp stings, and as an emetic, purgative, vermifuge and depurative. In Uganda an infusion of the leaves is taken to treat stomach ulcers. In Botswana the leaves ground in milk are applied to mature abscesses. In Togo a root decoction is taken to treat dysmenorrhoea.

The aerial parts of the plant are used for the extraction of the medicinal alkaloids vincristine and vinblastine. The alkaloids are prescribed in anticancer therapy, usually as part of complex chemotherapy protocols. The dried root is an industrial source of ajmalicine, which increases the blood flow in the brain and peripheral parts of the body. Preparations of ajmalicine are used to treat the psychological and behavioural problems of senility, sensory problems (dizziness, tinnitus), cranial traumas and their neurological complications.

Alkaloids extracted from the aerial parts of Catharanthus roseus are marketed as lyophylisates (solutions of salts) designed for intravenous application. Vindesine and vinorelbine, which are semisynthetic derivatives of vinblastine, are marketed as a sulphate and a bitartrate, respectively. These are prescription drugs in Western countries.

Catharanthus roseus is a popular garden ornamental, grown as a perennial in the tropics and as an annual in temperate regions, although it can overwinter as a pot plant in a conservatory. It is valued for its bushy habit and many large flowers carried above dark green foliage. Catharanthus roseus can also be kept as a cut flower; the branches will last for weeks or even months, producing new, but smaller, flowers all the time.

source: www.prota.org