This paper will present a brief discussion of Catharanthus roseus and some of its benefits. Catharanthus roseus is a perennial plant that looks similar to a shrub that grows up to one meter tall. The plant species has a tap root system that reaches seventy centimeters deep (Rojas-Sandoval, 2019). The plant species support seed propagation as its method of reproduction. Catharanthus roseus originated from Madagascar but has been cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions globally.
Catharanthus roseus is beneficial to the human species since it can be used for medicinal purposes. The upper parts of the plant species support the extraction of alkaloids vincristine and vinblastine, which have medical advantages (Rojas-Sandoval, 2019). The plant’s root can be dried to extract ajmalicine which helps in enhancing blood flow in the brain and peripheral parts. Ajmalicine is also useful as a medication for cognitive and behavioral problems. According to Le Roux & Guéritte (2017), a preparation made from Catharanthus roseus foliage is effective for diabetes management. Catharanthus roseus has significant medical advantages for human species around the world and also plays a decorative role in the ecosystem.
One of the resources reviewed to get more information about the plant species is website. The resource indicates that Catharanthus roseus has been naturalized, displacing natural vegetation. The plant species is considered an environmental weed that significantly impacts coastal habitats and regions with sandy soils. I also reviewed website to gain more information about the plant species. The source indicates that Navelbine, an anti-cancer medicine, is from nor-anhydrovinblastine, which has a structure similar to that of vinblastine, a natural compound isolated from Catharanthus roseus. This indicates that the plant species can be used to prevent the development of cancer.
References
Le Roux, M., & Guéritte, F. (2017). From Catharanthus roseus alkaloids to the discovery of vinorelbine (Navelbine®). Elsevier, 87-149. Web.
Rojas-Sandoval, J. (2019). Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle). Cabi. Web.