Evidence supporting the use of: Periwinkle
For the health condition: Leukemia

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 5

Periwinkle, specifically the Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus), has significant scientific validation for its use in the treatment of leukemia. The plant is the source of two important alkaloids: vincristine and vinblastine. These compounds were first isolated in the 1950s and 1960s and have since become cornerstone chemotherapeutic agents. Vincristine, in particular, is widely used in the treatment of various types of leukemia, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children and adults.

The discovery was serendipitous; researchers initially studied the plant for its purported anti-diabetic properties but instead found that extracts strongly inhibited white blood cell proliferation. This led to the identification of the vinca alkaloids, which interfere with microtubule formation in dividing cells, effectively halting mitosis. Their efficacy and safety profiles have been extensively studied in clinical trials, and they are included in standard chemotherapy regimens worldwide.

Thus, the use of periwinkle-derived compounds for leukemia is one of the most well-documented examples of a plant-derived pharmaceutical in modern oncology. The evidence base is robust, with decades of research, clinical trials, and widespread clinical application solidly supporting its use.

More about Periwinkle
More about Leukemia

Products containing Periwinkle

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.