Catharanthine


Catharanthine is a terpene indole alkaloid produced by the medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus and Tabernaemontana_divaricata. Catharanthine is derived from strictosidine, but the exact mechanism by which this happens is currently unknown. Catharanthine is one of the two precursors that form vinblastine, the other being vindoline.

Uses

Modern Medicine

It showed anti-tumorogenic effect as well as inhibited cAMP phosphodiesterase activity It increased the intracellular level of cAMP in neurons and thus may lead to improved neuronal activity