Therapeutic Efficacy of Vincamine in Dementia

Abstract

This trial was performed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of vincamine in the treatment of primary degenerative and vascular dementia. 152 male and female patients aged between 50 and 85 years from two psychogeriatric centers and two nursing homes were initially included in the trial and screened for eligibility. 142 patients completed the trial. Clinical diagnosis was established according to DSM-III-R criteria. Allocation of the patients to the primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) group or the multi-infarct dementia (MID) group was based on computed tomography scans, electroencephalographic findings and the Hachinski Ischemic Score. In a 12-week double-blind treatment either 30 mg vincamine or placebo was given twice daily. Confirmatory statistics included item 2 of the Clinical Global Impression (CGI), the total score of the Sandoz Clinical Assessment Geriatric (SCAG) scale, the subscale ‘need for help’ of the nurse’s rating of geriatric patients (Beurteilungsskala für geriatrische Patienten; BGP) and the total score of the Short Cognitive Performance Test (Syndrom-Kurztest; SKT). In addition, data on tolerance and on therapy response were evaluated based on descriptive statistics. The therapeutic efficacy of vincamine was clearly demonstrated by confirmatory analysis as the drug was statistically significantly superior to placebo in all four target variables. The clinical relevance of the outcome was further underlined by the results of the responder analysis of the variables SCAG, BGP and SKT. Based on the results of this trial, it can be accepted that the therapeutic effect of vincamine is superior to placebo in patients with mild to moderate dementia of degenerative and vascular etiologies.

Catharanthus roseus flower extract has wound-healing activity in Sprague Dawley rats

“…It has more than 400 known alkaloids, some of which are approved as antineoplastic agents to treat leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, malignant lymphomas, neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Wilms' tumor, and other cancers. Its vasodilating and memory-enhancing properties have been shown to alleviate vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease [3,4]. The two classes of active compounds in Vinca are alkaloids and tannins.…”

Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of ECO-Friendly Biosynthesis of Silver Nano Particles Using An Aqueous Leaf Extract of Catharanthus Roseus

“…Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don (Vinca rosea) (Local Name in Tamil: Nithyakalyani), an important medicinal plant, belongs to family Apocynaceae and it is a perennial herb grown commercially for its alkaloids [6][7]. There are more than 70 alkaloids (mostly of indole type) that have been reported from different parts of C. roseus [8] and the major alkaloids are Vincristine and Vinblastine, which has anticancer property and used as a drug in the treatment of different cancers [9]. In India as well as other countries, tea made from the fresh leaf juice of C.roseus has been used by Ayurvedic physicians for the treatment of certain skin problems such as dermatitis, eczema and acne [10].…”

Influence of Ethanol Extract of Vinca rosea on Wound Healing in Diabetic Rats

“…It has more than 400 known alkaloids, some of which are approved as antineoplastic agents to treat leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, malignant lymphomas, neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Wilms' tumor and other cancers. Its vasodilating and memory-enhancing properties have been shown to alleviate vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease [8,9] . The two classes of active compounds in Vinca are alkaloids and tannins.…”