Abstract

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL UPDATE ON CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS.L

Stessy Ann Punnen*, Maleeka Begum S. F. and Vinitha Lakshmi P.

Abstract

Natural products of plants origin have been used and are being used throughout the world for human and animal health care. Alternatively, global attention has been shifted towards hunting novel bio-molecules of plant origin for the development of new drugs. Since, the phytochemicals are more specific, biodegradable and are supposed to have fewer side effects. Phytochemicals offer unique platform for structural diversity and biological functionality which is indispensable for drug discovery. Based on the thrive search of a phytochemical, it is found Catharanthus roseus with potent medicinal plant with many pharmacological action and can be a drug of choice for many fatal disease. In this review, an attempt has been made to summarize the pharmacological effect of the above plant against various disease starting from the antimicrobial to that of the antineoplastic diseases in a precise way to help the scientist and learners to understand the conversion of phytochemical as drug.

Keywords: Catharanthus roseus, drug discovery, target, characteristics, medicinal value.