Open AccessCatharanthus roseus L. (Periwinkle): An herb having significant Phytochemical and pharmacological action with benefits on health
ABSTRACTCatharanthus roseus is a perennial species of flowering plant in the Apocynaceae family. It is also referred to as bright eyes, Cape periwinkle, graveyard plant, Madagascar periwinkle, old maid, pink periwinkle, and rose periwinkle. Although it is native and endemic to Madagascar, it is now spread across the tropics as an attractive and medicinal plant. It is the source of the cancer-treatment medications vincristine and vinblastine. Vinca rosea was the name given to it while it belonged to the genus Vinca. Another distinctive feature of the plant is that it is a model for studying phytoplasmas and spiro plasmas, the tiniest bacteria on the planet, and it is a friendly experimental host for their upkeep. Botanical details about synonyms, colloquial names, cultivars, floral morphology, and reproduction contribute to our understanding of the plant, while periwinkle's ecology and location highlight how commonplace the organism is. Robust plant propagation, a valuable source of bioactive substances, plethora of horticulture uses are guaranteed by good agronomic techniques. Among the main vinca alkaloids used in medicine are vinpocetine, vinblastin, vincristine, vindesine, tabersonine, and vinorelbine. Vinca rosea flower juice is used to treat a variety of skin conditions, including dermatitis, eczema, and acne. We believe that it could be beneficial to researchers, scientists, ayurvedic doctors, pharmacognosists, botanists, and students working in the field of medicinal plant study. Catharanthus roseus has been studied for a variety of reasons, including its amazing ethnomedicinal qualities. This study provides an outline of the biology and its different applications. Keywords: Catharanthus roseus, Apocynaceae, Vincristine and Vinblastine