Jht at 06:52, 3 July 2021

2021-07-03T06:52:41Z

Raffi at 17:34, 7 March 2008

2008-03-07T17:34:43Z

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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Catharanthus''
| image = Catharanthus roseus white CC-BY-SA.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = White ''Catharanthus roseus''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Gentianales]]
| familia = [[Apocynaceae]]
| genus = '''''Catharanthus'''''
| genus_authority = [[George Don|G.Don]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision = See text
}}

'''''Catharanthus''''' ('''Madagascar Periwinkle''') is a genus of eight species of [[herbaceous]] [[perennial plant]]s, seven [[endemic (ecology)|endemic]] to the island of [[Madagascar]], the eighth native to the [[Indian subcontinent]] in southern [[Asia]].<ref name=fom>Flora of Madagascar: [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=12&taxon_id=105876 ''Catharanthus'']</ref><ref name=grin>Germplasm Resources Information Network: [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?2178 ''Catharanthus'']</ref>

;Species
*''[[Catharanthus coriaceus]]'' Markgr. Madagascar.
*''[[Catharanthus lanceus]]'' (Bojer ex A.DC.) Pichon. Madagascar.
*''[[Catharanthus longifolius]]'' (Pichon) Pichon. Madagascar.
*''[[Catharanthus ovalis]]'' Markgr. Madagascar.
*''[[Catharanthus pusillus]]'' (Murray) G.Don. Indian subcontinent.
*''[[Catharanthus roseus]]'' (L.) G.Don. Madagascar.
*''[[Catharanthus scitulus]]'' (Pichon) Pichon. Madagascar.
*''[[Catharanthus trichophyllus]]'' (Baker) Pichon. Madagascar.

==Uses and cultivation==
The species are self-propagating from seed; the seeds require a period of total darkness to germinate. Cuttings from mature plants will also root readily.

One species, ''C. roseus'', has been widely cultivated and introduced, becoming an [[invasive species]] in some areas.

==Pharmacological uses==
[[Image:Madagascar periwinkle (Curtis).jpg|thumb|Illustration of ''C. roseus'' foliage and flowers]]
''C. roseus'' has gained interest from the [[pharmaceutical]] industry; the [[alkaloid]]s [[vincristine]] and [[vinblastine]] from its sap have been shown to be an effective treatment for [[leukaemia]]. Although the sap is poisonous if ingested, some 70 useful alkaloids have been identified from it. In Madagascar, extracts have been used for hundreds of years in [[herbalism|herbal medicine]] for the treatment of [[diabetes]], as [[hemostatic]]s and [[tranquilizer]]s, to lower [[blood pressure]], and as [[disinfectant]]s. The extracts are not without their side effects, however, which include [[hair loss]].

===Vinca alkaloids=== 
'''Vinca [[alkaloid]]s''' are [[mitotic inhibitor|anti-mitotic]] and anti-[[microtubule]] agents. They are nowadays produced synthetically and used as [[medication|drugs]] in [[cancer]] therapy and as [[immunosuppressive drug]]s. These compounds are [[vinblastine]], [[vincristine]], [[vindesine]] and [[vinorelbine]]. Periwinkle extracts and derivatives, such as [[vinpocetine]], are also used as [[nootropic]] drugs.<ref name=dd>DrugDigest: [http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/PrintablePages/herbMonograph/0,11475,4108,00.html ''Catharanthus roseus'']</ref>

''[[Catharanthus lanceus]]'' contains up to 6% [[yohimbine]] in its leaves.<ref>[http://shaman-australis.com.au/shop/index.php?cPath=21_26_66 Madagascan Periwinkle]</ref>

==References==
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==References==
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Catharanthus - Revision history

Jht at 06:52, 3 July 2021

Raffi at 17:34, 7 March 2008