A Critical Analysis of Drugs Used in Anticancer Therapy Isolated from the Catharanthus roseus : A Review

Abstract

Cancer is an abnormal pattern of growth which has ability to spread to the other parts of the body. Many treatment options are available currently such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. Presently increasing number of cancer cases globally has made responsible community and researchers to pay attention to establish a sustainable therapy option which is effective both in terms of cost and treatment. Medicinal plants could be the best option for extracting anticancer drugs. Majority of the anticancer drugs currently being used are extracted from natural sources. Catharanthus roseus also known as “Madagascar periwinkle”, belongs to the family Apocynaceae. This splendid and marvelous shrub is a good source of indole monoterpenes and alkaloids which are used as anticancer, antiproliferative and antimitotic drugs. Anticancer drugs extracted from C. roseus, their mechanisms of action, their potential and complications associated with them are discussed.