Why is the rosy periwinkle an important species?

This pretty plant from Madagascar gives us two very important cancer-fighting medicines: vinblastine and vincristine. Vincristine has helped increase the chance of surviving childhood leukaemia from 10% to 90%, while vinblastine is used to treat Hodgkins' Disease.

1. How valuable is the rosy periwinkle?
2. Why is the rosy periwinkle being wiped out?
3. Why Is vinca so important?
4. What does periwinkle help with?
5. Can periwinkle cause miscarriage?
6. Where is the rosy periwinkle found?
7. Is periwinkle poisonous to humans?
8. Who discovered rosy periwinkle?
9. What does the word vinca mean?
10. What is the biological source of vinca?
11. Which is the largest inflorescence in the world?
12. Is periwinkle good for skin?
13. How does the Madagascar periwinkle survive?

How valuable is the rosy periwinkle?

The same anti-diabetic use has been part of the folk medicine of the Philippines. The plant contains as many as 70 known alkaloids, many of which demonstrate medicinal value. These compounds include the anti-cancer compounds vinblastine, vincristine, and the blood pressure-lowering compound reserpine.

Why is the rosy periwinkle being wiped out?

The rosy periwinkle was nearly wiped out in its native range due to severe habitat degradation before its life-saving properties were discovered.

Why Is vinca so important?

They are naturally extracted from the pink periwinkle plant, Catharanthus roseus G. Don and have a hypoglycemic as well as cytotoxic effects. They have been used to treat diabetes, high blood pressure and have been used as disinfectants. The vinca alkaloids are also important for being cancer fighters.

What does periwinkle help with?

Periwinkle alkaloids have been used in the treatment of leukemia, Hodgkin disease, malignant lymphomas, neuroblastoma, Wilms tumor, Kaposi sarcoma, mycosis fungoides, to improve cerebral blood flow, and treat high blood pressure.

Can periwinkle cause miscarriage?

Special Precautions & Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's UNSAFE to use Madagascar periwinkle if you are pregnant. It could cause a miscarriage or birth defects. It's also UNSAFE to use Madagascar periwinkle if you are breast-feeding, because of the poisonous chemicals it contains.

Where is the rosy periwinkle found?

The native habitat is located off the coast of South Africa and is semi-arid and hot and sunny year around. Due to the plant's adaptive nature, growing Madagascar rosy periwinkle in wetter, temperate zones is possible.

Is periwinkle poisonous to humans?

Periwinkle is UNSAFE. It can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and other stomach and intestinal symptoms. It can also cause nerve, kidney, and liver damage. Large amounts can cause very low blood pressure.

Who discovered rosy periwinkle?

The Madagascar periwinkle was first named Vinca rosea by the great Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus in the 1750s, but was reclassified and placed in the genus Catharanthus in 1834. It took many more years before the full benefits of this plant were realised.

What does the word vinca mean?

Vinca (/ˈvɪŋkə/; Latin: vincire "to bind, fetter") is a genus of flowering plants in the family Apocynaceae, native to Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia. The English name periwinkle is shared with the related genus Catharanthus (and also with the common seashore mollusc, Littorina littorea).

What is the biological source of vinca?

Biological sources :

The botanical name of vinca is Vinca rosea. It also known as catharanthus and Madagascar periwinkle. It belongs to Apocynaceae family. The biological source of vinca is the dried entire plant and aerial part of Catharanthus roseus Linn.

Which is the largest inflorescence in the world?

The Titan arum has the largest unbranched inflorescence of all flowering plants. The plant can reach heights of 7 to 12 feet and weigh as much as 170 pounds!

Is periwinkle good for skin?

Some people apply Madagascar periwinkle directly to the skin to stop bleeding; relieve insect bites, wasp stings, and eye irritation; and treat infections and swelling (inflammation).

How does the Madagascar periwinkle survive?

It prefers a warm tropical climate but has adapted to a mild climate as well. Thus, Catharanthus roseus has adapted to a variety of soils, including soils of high moisture, to soils that are slightly acidic. The periwinkle has thick glossy leaves that provide a decent amount of ground cover.