Vincamine Explained

Vincamine is a monoterpenoid indole alkaloid found in the leaves of Vinca minor (lesser periwinkle), comprising about 25–65% of its indole alkaloids by weight. It can also be synthesized from related alkaloids.^[1]

Uses

Vincamine is sold in Europe as a prescription medicine for the treatment of primary degenerative and vascular dementia. In the United States, it is permitted to be sold as a dietary supplement when labeled for use in adults for six months or less.^[2] Most common preparations are in the sustained release tablet forms.

Chemistry

Synthesis

Tabersonine can be used for semi-synthesis of vincamine.^[3]

Derivatives

Vinpocetine is a synthetic derivative of vincamine used for cerebrovascular diseases and as dietary supplement.^[4] Vincamine derivatives have been also studied as anti addictive^[5] and antidiabetic^[6] agents.

Research

It may have nootropic effects. It has been investigated as novel anticancer drug.^[7]

Concerns over long-term use have been documented by the US National Toxicology Program.^[8]

See also

• Apparicine
• Conophylline

External links

• Web site: Vincamine MSDS . 2012-01-30 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150608110220/http://www.mpbio.com/includes/msds/ansi/en/158295-EN-ANSI.pdf . 2015-06-08 . dead .
• Web site: Vincamine - 1617-90-9 . Summary of Data for Chemical Selection . Chemical Selection Working Group . NIH - United States National Institutes of Health . 2007-04-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111021222436/http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/htdocs/Chem_Background/ExSumPdf/Vincamine.pdf . 2011-10-21 . live .

Notes and References

1. Encyclopedia: Indole Alkaloids . Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry . Fifth . 393 . Wiley-VCH . 1985 . 3-527-20100-9 .
2. Web site: Summary of Data for Chemical Selection: Vincamine . National Toxicology Program . U.S. Department of Health and Human Services .
3. Voacanga, (Apocynaceae), a review of taxonomy, phytochemistry, ethnobotany and pharmacology. Agricultural University Wageningen Papers. 0169-345X. 85. 3. 1985. Leeuwenberg AJ . Anthonius Josephus Maria Leeuwenberg.
4. Vinpocetine in Dietary Supplements. FDA. 2019-06-03.
5. Norwood VM, Brice-Tutt AC, Eans SO, Stacy HM, Shi G, Ratnayake R, Rocca JR, Abboud KA, Li C, Luesch H, McLaughlin JP, Huigens RW . Preventing Morphine-Seeking Behavior through the Re-Engineering of Vincamine's Biological Activity . . 63 . 10 . 5119–5138 . May 2020 . 31913038 . 7324933 . 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01924 .
6. Wang J, Lv X, Xu J, Liu X, Du T, Sun G, Chen J, Shen X, Wang J, Hu L . Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of vincamine derivatives as potential pancreatic β-cells protective agents for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus . . 188 . 111976 . February 2020 . 31918073 . 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.111976 . 210133217 .
7. Al-Rashed S, Baker A, Ahmad SS, Syed A, Bahkali AH, Elgorban AM, Khan MS . Vincamine, a safe natural alkaloid, represents a novel anticancer agent . . 107 . 104626 . February 2021 . 33450545 . 10.1016/j.bioorg.2021.104626 . 231624167 .
8. Web site: Vincamine Dietary Supplements 1617-90-9 - National Toxicology Program. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences . 4 December 2023.