In vitro studies, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and pharmacological utility of catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don.: A review

Abstract

Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don (formerly Vinca rosea L.) belongs to the family Apocynaceae, it has been used to control cancer, diabetes, malaria etc., by folklore and traditional medicinal herbalists of India over two millennia. It is one of the most studied legendary medicinal plants due to the presence of monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) or terpenoid indole alkaloids (TIAs). The active constituents from above ground parts extract contain most well recognized invaluable anticancer drugs vinblastine and vincristine, some antifibrillic and hypertensive agents, whereas the root contains several bioactive drugs such as, ruabasine (ajmalicine), serpentine, vinceine, vincamine and reserpine. In this review, the botanical information, ethnobotanical significance, update in tissue culture, secondary metabolites biosynthesis, cellular com- partmentation and their pharmacological properties discovered and proved in the past decades and their potential in further exploitation of C. Roseus are discussed.