Catharanthus
Names: Catharanthus, Madagascar Periwinkle, and Catharathus Roseus
Alkaloids: vincristine & vinblastine
Medical/Pharmaceutical Applications: Chemotherapy
Vincristine & Vinblastine: Both vincristine and vinblastine are vinca alkaloids. Vinca alkaloids are both anti-mitotic and ant-microtubule agents.
Anti-Mitotic Agents: Microtubules are filaments of the cytoskeleton, and play a role in mitosis (eukaryotic cell division) and intracellular transport. Since cancer cells are mutinous, abnormal, quickly dividing cells that don't know how to die,
microtubules are directly targeted in chemotherapy. The polymerization (chemical reaction between monomers that form polymer chains) and depolymerization of tubulin (protein that makes up microtubules) regulate microtubular activities. Vinca alkaloids stop microtubule polymerization. In short, the dynamic instability of tubulin affects the dynamic instability of microtubules.
Summary in ENGLISH: The Madagascar periwinkle treats different types of cancers!
Alkaloids: vincristine & vinblastine
Medical/Pharmaceutical Applications: Chemotherapy
Vincristine & Vinblastine: Both vincristine and vinblastine are vinca alkaloids. Vinca alkaloids are both anti-mitotic and ant-microtubule agents.
Anti-Mitotic Agents: Microtubules are filaments of the cytoskeleton, and play a role in mitosis (eukaryotic cell division) and intracellular transport. Since cancer cells are mutinous, abnormal, quickly dividing cells that don't know how to die,
microtubules are directly targeted in chemotherapy. The polymerization (chemical reaction between monomers that form polymer chains) and depolymerization of tubulin (protein that makes up microtubules) regulate microtubular activities. Vinca alkaloids stop microtubule polymerization. In short, the dynamic instability of tubulin affects the dynamic instability of microtubules.
Summary in ENGLISH: The Madagascar periwinkle treats different types of cancers!