CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS: A MEDICINAL PLANT WITH POTENT ANTI-TUMOR PROPERTIES

Ayurveda is the Indian trad itional system of medicine which focuses on the medical potential of plants. Catharanthus roseus is one plant recognized well in Ayurveda. It is known for its anti - tumo u r, anti - diabetic, anti - microbial, anti - oxidant and anti - mutagenic effects. It is an eve rgreen plant first originated from islands of Madagascar. The flowers may vary in colo u r from pink to purple and leaves are arranged in opposite pairs. It produces nearly 130 alkaloids mainly ajmalcine, vinceine, resperine, vincristine, vinblastine and rau basin. Vincristine and vinblastine are used for the treatment of various types of cancer such as Hodgkin's dise ase, breast cancer, skin cancer and lymphoblastic leukemia. It is an endangered species and need to be conserved using techniques like micro prop agation. It has high medicinal values which need to be explored extensively .