Vinca

General Introduction to Vinca:

• 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 of Vinca:

• 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:

1. Vincristine:

   • Cancers Treated: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), Hodgkin’s lymphoma, neuroblastomas.
   • Mechanism: Inhibits microtubule assembly, causing metaphase arrest in mitosis.

2. Vinblastine:

   • Cancers Treated: Hodgkin’s lymphoma, testicular cancer, breast cancer, Kaposi’s sarcoma.
   • Mechanism: Binds to tubulin, preventing mitotic spindle formation.

Commercial Applications of Vinca:

• 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.

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