Periwinkle

Scientific Name(s): Catharanthus roseus G. Don.
Common Name(s): Church-flower, Madagascar or Cape periwinkle, Magdalena, Myrtle, Old maid, Periwinkle, Ram-goat rose, Red or rosy periwinkle, Vinca

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 22, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Periwinkle alkaloids have been used to treat certain cancers; however, use of the plant for this purpose is not recommended without consulting a health care provider.

Periwinkle has been studied for potential antimicrobial and antiprotozoal applications, as well as for use in diabetes and wound healing; however, there is not enough reliable information to recommend the plant for these uses.

Dosing

There is no recent clinical evidence to support specific doses of periwinkle for medicinal use. Traditional doses have included 10 leaves and 10 flowers boiled in water as a tea, or 9 pink flowers in 0.5 L of water for 3 hours ("solar tea") sipped throughout the day. Therapeutic doses for preparations of the pure alkaloids vincristine and vinblastine are available.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not been identified.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Avoid use. Abortifacient effects have been documented.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Clinical information is lacking.

Toxicology

Severe, systemic adverse events are associated with the use of the alkaloids vincristine and vinblastine.

Scientific Family

• Apocyanaceae (dogbane)

Botany

The plant was first described in Madagascar.1, 2 Periwinkle is a perennial herb that grows up to 1 m in height. It is highly branched and develops a woody base, with flowers that can bloom throughout the year depending on the climate. The flowers are often bred for their unique colors, ranging from white to green-yellow and lavender. The seed pod dries, splits, and releases numerous tiny seeds. The stem produces a milky sap that is rich in indole alkaloids. Synonyms include Lochnera rosea Reichb., V. rosea L., and Ammocallis rosea Small. The related plant Vinca minor (common periwinkle, myrtle) is used as a ground cover.1, 2, 3, 4

History

The plant was introduced in Europe during the mid-1700s and was cultivated as an ornamental. Today it grows throughout the world, and plantations have been established on continents with warmer climates. The plant has been widely used in tropical folk medicine. Decoctions of the plant have been used to treat ocular inflammation, diabetes, hemorrhages, insect stings, and cancers.2, 4, 5, 6, 7

Chemistry

Descriptions of the chemical constituents of the plant are available.8 Approximately 130 terpenoid indole alkaloids are found in the plant.2, 9 The concentration of alkaloids varies with the region of harvest and plant part. The most well-known of the vinca alkaloids derived from C. roseus are vinblastine and vincristine, which are now widely used antineoplastic agents. Identification of other alkaloids with cytotoxic potential is ongoing.10, 11

The aqueous plant extract is rich in phenolic compounds, including caffeoylquinic acid and flavonoids with antioxidant potential. The leaves also contain a comple...