{"id":2106,"date":"2023-02-09T16:49:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-09T15:49:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alleanzaverde.com\/blog\/?p=2106"},"modified":"2023-05-24T10:18:33","modified_gmt":"2023-05-24T08:18:33","slug":"vinca-l-monograph","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alleanzaverde.com\/blog\/vinca-l-monograph\/","title":{"rendered":"Vinca L. – Monograph"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Order<\/strong>: Gentianales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family<\/strong>: Apocynaceae<\/em> Juss.
Tribe<\/strong>: Vinceae<\/p>\n

According to some authors, the name Vinca <\/em>derives from the Latin vincire <\/em>(to tie), because of the thin and flexible stems, while according to others it derives from the verb vincere<\/em> (to win), perhaps as an allusion to the ability of the herb to fight diseases or to withstand the ravages of weather. [Peroni]<\/p>\n

The Vinca <\/em>genus counts 6 species (accepted names): Vinca difformis <\/em>Pourr., Vinca erecta <\/em>Regel & Schmalh., Vinca herbacea <\/em>Waldst. & Kit., Vinca major <\/em>L., Vinca minor <\/em>L., and Vinca soneri <\/em>Koyuncu. It is a member of the Apocynaceae <\/em>family, which also includes the genera Catharanthus<\/em>, Rauwolfia<\/em>, Apocynum<\/em>, Trachomitum <\/em>and Oleander<\/em>, well known for including medicinally powerful and very often poisonous plants.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

V. minor <\/em>L. (lesser periwinkle) and V. major <\/em>L. (greater periwinkle) are probably the best known species belonging to the genus.<\/p>\n

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Vinca major L., Vinca minor L.<\/h1>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Primary functionality:<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Venus [Culpeper]<\/p>\n

Sun; Cancer [Angelini]<\/p>\n

Saturn [Murphy]<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Secondary functionality:<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Nature:<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Cold and dry with a hot and dry part.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Taste:<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Astringent, acrid and very bitter [Durante, Giannelli, Mattioli, Wood]<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Tropism:<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Uterus, stomach, digestive system, nervous system, skin<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Humoral actions1<\/sup><\/a>:<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Eliminate excess heat and\/or fluids, toxic heat and phlegmatic-bilious residues, and resolve Tension excess and stagnation;\u00a0 supplement deficient Tension (in nervous system, digestive system, uterus, urinary organs and mucous membranes in primis) and help to preserve correct Phlegm<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Clinical actions:<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Antidiabetic, antidiarrheic, anti-hypertensive\/hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, antiscorbutic, astringent, carminative, decongestant, depurative, digestive, diuretic, febrifuge, galactofuge, hemostatic, laxative, sedative, spasmolitic, tonic, vasodilatator, vasoprotective, vulnerary<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Used parts:<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Aerial parts, flowering aerial parts, whole plant, flowering whole plant, roots<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Description<\/h2>\n

Even if the alkaloid composition of V. minor <\/em>and V. major <\/em>differ somewhat, nonetheless they are usually considered as generically interchangeable from the medicinal point of view, apart from some differences.<\/p>\n

Castore Durante, who, like Mattioli, called the periwinkles \u201cfirst clematis\u201d, tells that \u201ctwo types are found, i.e. major and minor<\/em>\u201d and describes them without making any further distinctions. [Durante]<\/p>\n

James A. Duke writes: \u201cMost authors suggest that the greater and lesser periwinkle are generically interchangeable medicinally, and I agree, so far.<\/em>\u201d [Duke]<\/p>\n

According to Gabriele Peroni \u201cin Italy four species of Vinca are recognized: V. minor L., V. major L., rather common; the rare V. difformis Pourret and the very rare, endemic V. sardoa (Stearn) Pignatti. They all share the same medicinal properties.<\/em>\u201d [Peroni]<\/p>\n

According to Mrs. Grieve, V. major<\/em> is \u201cthe species more generally used in herbal medicine, as an astringent and tonic, in menorrhagia and in haemorrhages, also as a laxative, and gargle<\/em>\u201d, while V. minor <\/em>is \u201cemployed in homoeopathy for preparation of a tincture used for haemorrhages.<\/em>\u201d [Grieve] Anyhow she later states that \u201cboth species of Periwinkle are used in medicine for their acrid, astringent and tonic properties,<\/em>\u201d and that \u201cthe small periwinkle possesses all the virtues of the other kind and may very properly supply its place.<\/em>\u201d [Grieve]<\/p>\n

Matthew Wood tells that \u201calthough the properties are similar, the greater has been cited as a lymphatic alterative and the lesser as a cerebral tonic (Menzies-Trull).<\/em>\u201d [Wood]<\/p>\n

Peter Holmes describes the differences in a more extensive manner: \u201cGreater periwinkle is a reliable astringent and mucous decongestant herb with a significant hemostatic action, <\/em>especially (but not solely) for menorrhagia and metrorrhagia. It will also stop leakage and discharge from the digestive and urogenital organs and is also used in formulas for diarrhea, leucorrhea and urinary leakage, including enuresis.<\/em><\/p>\n

The Lesser periwinkle [\u2026] has <\/em>somewhat different applications. The herb and root <\/em>are both employed, which contain the alkaloid <\/em>vincamine as well as tannins. This bitter, pungent <\/em>remedy is used as a restorative for anemia and <\/em>anorexia, and as a pungent carminative for damp <\/em>intestinal conditions with dyspeptic flatulence, <\/em>indigestion and belching. Its astringent action will <\/em>treat discharges and hemorrhage, especially dia<\/em>rrhea, leucorrhea and hemoptysis. Lesser periwin<\/em>kle is also hypotensive in hypertension (an African <\/em>medicine use) and antidiabetic. Like Ginkgo leaf, this remedy also mildly increases cerebral circula<\/em>tion (an action of vincamine), indicating use for <\/em>loss of mental focus and memory, dizziness, head<\/em>ache, tinnitus, peripheral arterial deficiency and so <\/em>on.<\/em>\u201d [Holmes]<\/p>\n

In this text, therefore, we will treat both V. <\/em>minor and V. major <\/em>in an indistinguishable way, except for any differences which will be explicitly highlighted.<\/p>\n

Very bitter plants, rich in tannins and alkaloids (see paragraph \u201cVinca alkaloids<\/em>\u201d), periwinkles have astringent, antispasmodic and purifying properties. According to Durante, \u201cOf its leaves, and likewise of the stems, the decoction made in wine, and drunk, resolves dysentery, and the other fluxes of the body, and the leaves eaten in fritters stagnate the menses: Drunk with vinegar, the leaves are beneficial to the bites of asps as well.<\/em>\u201d [Durante]<\/p>\n

A particular use, certainly connected to the astringency of the plants, is described as follows: \u201cTied this herb around the thighs, it stagnates the flow of menses, and prevents pregnant women from aborting. Placed on the head, and wrapped around the neck, it stagnates the blood from the nose, and is usefully put into wound drinks, and poultices<\/em>\u201d. [Durante]<\/p>\n

Their roots are recognized as having diuretic and hypotensive properties, while the leaves (which constitute the part most often used in medicine) are recognized as astringent, antiscorbutic, diuretic, vulnerary, tonic, haemostatic, purifying, digestive, decongestant and slightly galactofuge. With periwinkles, medicated wines are prepared which are administered to treat anemia and anorexia and as tonic coadjuvants in convalescence. [Peroni]<\/p>\n

Due to their astringent and purifying properties, periwinkles are also used externally as remedy for abscesses, sores and bruises (in the form of poultices) and for sore throat and inflammation of the oral cavity (for rinses and gargles). [Peroni]<\/p>\n

According to Duraffourd and Lapraz, V. minor <\/em>(the authors do not mention V. major<\/em>) is a herb with a mixed endocrine and exocrine pancreatic tropism, with a spasmolytic activity (sympatho- and parasympatholytic), and has galactofuge, vasodilator and cerebral hypotensive, capillary protector, coronary artery dilator, analgesic, and FSH-stimulating. [Duffourd-Lapraz]<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Vinca alkaloids<\/h3>\n

Alkaloids are rather abundant in the Apocynaceae <\/em>family, and also the Vinca <\/em>species contain several of them.<\/p>\n

The name \u201cvinca alkaloids\u201d usually refers to a set of bisindole alkaloids, vinblastine and vincristine being the best known, contained in the Madagascar periwinkle and used as antineoplastic agents. Even if originally classified as Vinca rosea <\/em>L., Madagascar periwinkle has been moved to the Catharanthus <\/em>genus and it is now classified as Catharanthus roseus<\/em> (L.) G.Don.<\/p>\n

The plants strictly belonging to the Vinca <\/em>genus also contain indole alkaloids, but they are mostly monoindole derivatives and therefore they are structurally different from those contained in Catharanthus roseus<\/em>. In V. minor <\/em>indole alkaloids amount to abt. 0.15-1.4% of the plant dry weight [PDR, Vachnadze]. So far, more than 50 such alkaloids have been isolated from the aerial parts and the root of V. minor<\/em>, a few of which have a quaternary ammonium salt structure (1,4-dimethyl-2,16-dihydroakuammicinium chloride, 4-methylraucubaininium chloride, 4-methylstrictaminium chloride and 4-methylakuammicinium chloride, all contained in the leaves). [Farahanikia, Proksa4]<\/p>\n

Vincamine is the dominant alkaloid in V. minor<\/em> (0.02-0.13% of the dried plant weight) [AHPA, Farahanikia, Karabaev, Proksa3, Vachnadze, Weiss]. Also reserpine have been isolated from V. minor <\/em>[Malikov, PDR].<\/p>\n

Vincarubine is the only bisindole alkaloid isolated so far from lesser periwinkle2<\/sup><\/a> (it is found only in the leaves, abt. 0.007% [Proksa3]). Vincarubine has shown a considerable cytotoxic effect against the P388 leukemia cells; indeed, it inhibits the incorporation of precursors of proteosynthesis and synthesis of nucleic acids into P388 cells (even if to a smaller extent than vincadifformine, another monomeric indole alkaloid isolated from V. minor<\/em>). The cytotoxic effect of vincarubine is greater than that of vinblastine. Unlike vinblastine, vincarubine displays inhibition of the RNA synthesis and does not exhibit mutagenic effects. [Bahadori, Farahanikia, Proksa, Proksa2]<\/p>\n

V. major<\/em> also contains indole alkaloids, among which vincamine (even though in a lesser quantity than V. minor<\/em>) and other alkaloids not found in V. minor<\/em> [Cheng, Cior\u00ee\u021b\u0103, Malikov].<\/p>\n

Vinblastine and vincristine are not present at all<\/strong> in V. minor<\/em> nor in V. major<\/em>, although several sources erroneously mention them in lesser periwinkle.<\/p>\n

The toxicity of vincamine and the other indole alkaloids found in V. minor<\/em> is quite low [Rossi]. In different acute toxicity studies, the oral LD50<\/sub> for vincamine has been found to be 810 or 1200 mg\/kg in rats and 460, 825, or 1000 mg\/kg in mice. Ventricular extrasystoles were observed in rabbits after oral administration of 20 mg\/kg vincamine. [AHPA, EMEA]<\/p>\n

In subacute toxicity tests, no signs of toxicity were observed in rats orally administered 30 or 100 mg\/kg of vincamine daily for 6 weeks. In rats orally administered 120 mg\/kg of vincamine for 6 days, no changes in liver enzyme levels were observed. [AHPA, EMEA]<\/p>\n

In mice, the LD50<\/sub> for intraperitoneal injections of aqueous vincamine solutions was 375 mg\/kg. The LD50<\/sub> values for the total common periwinkle alkaloid extract were 400 mg\/kg for intraperitoneal injections and above 600 mg\/kg for peroral administration. [Vachnadze]<\/p>\n

In subchronic toxicity tests, no signs of toxicity were observed in rats orally administered 6.6, 20, or 62 mg\/kg of vincamine or guinea pigs given 2.5 mg\/kg daily for 3 months. In dogs orally administered 1, 7, or 20 mg\/kg of vincamine daily for 3 months, behavioral changes were observed at the 20 mg\/kg dose, with no effects reported at lower doses. [AHPA, EMEA]<\/p>\n

James Duke reports, for V. minor<\/em>, the following LD50<\/sub> values in mice: for \u201cdrug\u201d (not better specified) 1400 mg\/kg i.p., for \u201cmixed alkaloids\u201d 76 mg\/kg i.p., 24 mg\/kg i.v. and 500 mg\/kg oral administration. For V. major<\/em>, he reports LD50<\/sub> (mixed alkaloids) = 37 mg\/kg i.v. in mice. [Duke]<\/p>\n

Vincamine has been found to have a hypotensive action, similar to that of reserpine, and to reduce the response to angiotensin. Its administration produces a reduction in diastolic blood pressure and a simultaneous lowering of the cerebral concentration of norepinephrine, with consequent vasodilatation of both coronaries and cerebral capillaries: reduced cerebral flow shows a definite increase, cerebral oxygen consumption rises, and the arteriovenous glucose difference increases. [Peroni, Rossi, Weiss]<\/p>\n

This activity also corresponds to a protective effect on the vessel walls, especially those of capillaries. [Rossi]<\/p>\n

Both vincamine and vinpocetine (ethyl apovincaminate), a synthetic derivative of vincamine, are currently approved as dietary supplements in US and Canada mainly as nootropics. Vincamine is sold as a prescription drug in Europe. The main indications for vincamine are disorders of cerebral blood flow and metabolism due to arteriosclerosis, the sequelae of brain trauma and the sequelae of strokes with symptoms such as poor memory, behaviour disorders, irritability, restlessness, speech disorders, vertigo and headaches. Lack of attention and memory disorders, as well as emotional disorders due to mild forms of cerebral arteriosclerosis respond well to vincamine. [Weiss]<\/p>\n

The drug has also a good effect on tinnitus and hearing defects in old age, on the dizziness that occurs with M\u00e9ni\u00e8re\u2019s syndrome and on disorders of blood flow in the retina. [Weiss]<\/p>\n

When vincamine is given orally, between three and six weeks usually are needed before subjective and objective improvement are noted. [Weiss]<\/p>\n

Tolerance of vincamine is quite good. Gastrointestinal symptoms do sometimes develop, but they are always reversible and not very marked. [Weiss]<\/p>\n

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Properties<\/h2>\n

Temperature and taste<\/h3>\n

According to the authors which are closest to the Hippocratic-Galenic tradition, periwinkles (V. major <\/em>and V. minor<\/em>) are cold and dry, with an astringent and very bitter taste [Durante, Giannelli, Mattioli].<\/p>\n

Culpeper classifies them as \u201cHot in the second degree, something dry and binding<\/em>\u201d. [Culpeper]<\/p>\n

According to Matthew Wood, they are acrid and astringent and suitable to treat the constriction and relaxation tissue states [Wood].<\/p>\n

The unquestionably astringent and anti-inflammatory\/analgesic abilities of the two plants, particularly well known to classical and Renaissance authors, justify their classification as cold and dry drugs. However, the acrid-bitter taste, which accounts for their purifying, tonic and \u201crelaxing\u201d action on tissue constriction, is a decidedly warm characteristic.<\/p>\n

We will therefore say that periwinkles are drugs with a dual nature, in which a cold and dry part (Earth) and a decidedly hot and dry part (Bile) coexist.<\/p>\n

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Signature<\/h3>\n

Culpeper tells \u201cVenus owns this herb, and saith, That the leaves eaten by man and wife together, cause love between them.<\/em>\u201d [Culpeper]<\/p>\n

Angelo Angelini classifies it as a plant with a Jovian function and Cancerian potential, acting on brain-spinal cord and stomach [Angelini].<\/p>\n

According to Robin Murphy, periwinkles are associated to the planet Saturn. [Murphy]<\/p>\n

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Tissue Phases<\/h3>\n

N\/A<\/p>\n

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Actions and indications<\/h2>\n

Humoral actions<\/h3>\n

Periwinkles have a purifying and anti-inflammatory\/analgesic action, as can be inferred from their strongly bitter taste. They also have a dispersing action on excessive Tension (especially at the level of blood vessels and the brain). In humoral terms, they eliminate excess heat and\/or fluids, toxic heat and phlegmatic-bilious residues, and resolve Tension excess and stagnation (they are both sympatho- and parasympatholytic).<\/p>\n

Astringency accounts for their ability to dry excess fluids and to stop the body \u201cfluxes\u201d (excessive menstruation, hemorrhage, leucorrhea, enuresis, diarrhea): in this sense, they act by supplementing Tension where its deficiency causes fluid (Phlegm) loss. The tonic action (supplementing of Tension) exercised both on the digestive and the nervous system can be attributed to the acrid-bitter taste of the plants. In humoral terms, they supplement deficient Tension (in nervous system, digestive system, uterus, urinary organs and mucous membranes in primis) and help to preserve correct Phlegm.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tropism<\/h3>\n

Uterus, stomach, digestive system, nervous system, skin.<\/p>\n

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Clinical actions<\/h3>\n

Antidiabetic, antidiarrheic, anti-hypertensive\/hypotensive, anti-inflammatory, antiscorbutic, astringent, carminative, decongestant, depurative, digestive, diuretic, febrifuge, galactofuge, hemostatic, laxative, sedative, spasmolitic, tonic, vasodilatator, vasoprotective, vulnerary.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Principal actions<\/h4>\n

Anti-diabetic (V. minor<\/em>). [Holmes]<\/p>\n

Antidiarrheal [Culpeper, Giannelli, Peroni, Zevin]:<\/p>\n