The Madagascar periwinkle , also recognize as Catharanthus roseus , is a unfeignedly singular flora that book immense importance in the field of medicine . This beautiful works , aboriginal to Madagascar , has provided us with two critical cancer - push medicines : Velban and vincristine .
Velban and vincristine are both relegate as vinca alkaloid , which are of course happen compounds found in the periwinkle plant . These alkaloids have proven to be highly effective in the treatment of various types of Cancer the Crab .
Vincristine , educe from the leaves of the Madagascar periwinkle , has played a crucial role in increasing the chance of survival for children with leukemia . Prior to the breakthrough and consumption of Oncovin , the survival rate for childhood leukemia was a mere 10 % . However , with the introduction of this medicine , the survival of the fittest pace has skyrocket to an impressive 90 % . This incredible melioration can be attributed to the sinewy anti - cancer place of Oncovin , which has become a basis in the intervention of this annihilating disease .
Another important medical specialty derive from the Madagascar periwinkle is Velban . This compound is used in the treatment of Hodgkin ’s disease , a type of lymphoma . Vinblastine works by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells , thereby slacken down the progression of the disease . Its strength in treating Hodgkin ’s disease has made it an invaluable tool in the scrap against this anatomy of cancer .
The import of the Madagascar periwinkle goes beyond its contributions to cancer intervention . This plant has also been used in traditional medication for one C to treat a chain of mountains of ailment , admit diabetes , in high spirits blood line pressure , and malaria . While modernistic medicinal drug has concentre primarily on its cancer - fighting property , the potential drop of this plant for other aesculapian app is still being explored .
The discovery and utilization of vinblastine and vincristine from the Madagascar periwinkle foreground the grandness of biodiversity and the Brobdingnagian value that nature have in providing us with life - saving medicines . Without the geographic expedition and preservation of industrial plant species such as the Madagascar periwinkle , we would not have access to these crucial discourse that have saved unnumberable lives .
The Madagascar periwinkle is an fabulously authoritative plant due to its role in bring home the bacon us with two lively cancer - fight medicines : vinblastine and vincristine . These medicines have significantly improved the survival rates of puerility cancer of the blood and Hodgkin ’s disease . The discovery of these compound underscore the importance of keep biodiversity and exploring the potential drop of natural resources in the field of practice of medicine . The Madagascar periwinkle is a true gift from nature , offering hope and healing in the fight against Crab .
Caroline Bates
