engleză
Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don (commonly known as 'Periwinkle') is a well-known medicinal plant that bears indole alkaloids used in cancer treatment. The anticancer alkaloids, viz. vinblastine and vincristine, are mainly present in the leaves of C. roseus which inhibit the growth of cancer cells, hindering the formation of mitotic apparatus during cell division. Further, vinblastine mediates in increasing the chance to survive childhood leukaemia, while vincristine is used to treat Hodgkins' disease. Great efforts have been made to produce these alkaloids at large scale by culture of plant cells. Therefore, it is need of the hour to maximize the production of anticancer alkaloids of enormously important plant in view of its massive demand worldwide for commercial use by any means. Given the above facts, we intend to bring forth a comprehensive volume on this plant. This reference book will be helpful for general use of research students, teachers, ethnobotanists, pharmacologists and herbal growers who have strong interest in this anticancer medicinal plant of paramount importance.
