General Introduction
Vinca alkaloids are a group of dimeric indole alkaloids highly regarded for their anticancer properties.
Initially extracted from the Madagascar periwinkle plant, they are used to treat various cancers by inhibiting mitotic cell division.
Synonyms
Common Name: Periwinkle alkaloids
Scientific Name: Catharanthus roseus alkaloids
Other Names: Vincristine, Vinblastine, Catharanthus alkaloids
Biological Source
Plant: Derived from the leaves of Catharanthus roseus (formerly Vinca rosea).
Family: Apocynaceae
Composition
Major Alkaloids: Vincristine, Vinblastine, and semi-synthetic derivatives such as Vindesine and Vinorelbine.
Structural Units: Consist of indole and dihydroindole units (specifically, Vindoline and Catharanthine linked by an indole-dihydroindole bridge).
Chemistry & Chemical Classes
Chemical Class: Indole alkaloids (Tryptophan derivatives)
Structure: Complex dimeric molecules
Solubility: Generally hydrophilic; modifications can improve pharmacokinetic properties.
Therapeutic Uses
Vincristine:
Cancers Treated: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Hodgkin's lymphoma, neuroblastomas.
Mechanism: Inhibits microtubule assembly, causing metaphase arrest in mitosis.
Vinblastine:
Cancers Treated: Hodgkin’s lymphoma, testicular cancer, breast cancer, Kaposi’s sarcoma.
Mechanism: Binds to tubulin, preventing mitotic spindle formation.
Commercial Applications
Integral to many chemotherapy regimens.
Formulations: Marketed as injectable formulations (e.g., vincristine sulfate, vinblastine sulfate).
Additional Derivatives: Vindesine and Vinorelbine for specific cancer treatments.