Book ID: 106972
Naeem, M., Tariq Aftab and M. Masroor Khan (eds.)
Catharanthus roseus. Current Research and Future Prospects. 2017. 43 (30 col.) figs. XII, 412 p. gr8vo. Hardcover.
This book studies the production of indole alkaloids in the important medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don, commonly known as periwinkle. The anticancer alkaloids, viz. vinblastine and vincristine, are mainly present in the leaves of C. roseus and inhibit the growth of cancer cells by hindering the formation of mitotic apparatus during cell division. Further, vinblastine helps increase the chance of surviving childhood leukemia while vincristine is used to treat Hodgkins disease.