BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS OF CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS AND THEIR ROLE IN ANTICANCER ACTIVITY

Cancer continues to be a leading cause of global mortality, and the search for effective, less toxic therapies has highlighted the importance of plant derived compounds in oncology. Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle) is one of the most significant medicinal plants, renowned for producing the vinca alkaloids vincristine and vinblastine, which remain integral to modern chemotherapy. This review explores the botanical background, ethnopharmacological relevance, and phytochemistry of C. roseus, emphasizing its diverse alkaloid profile of more than 130 compounds. The mechanisms of anticancer action—ranging from microtubule inhibition and cell cycle arrest to apoptosis induction and anti-angiogenesis—are discussed in detail, alongside the clinical applications of vincristine, vinblastine, and their semi synthetic derivatives such as vindesine and vinorelbine. Analytical approaches including phytochemical screening, chromatographic techniques, spectroscopic methods, and in vitro cytotoxicity assays are highlighted as essential tools for identifying and quantifying these bioactive compounds. Despite their therapeutic success, challenges such as low natural yield and dose limiting toxicities persist. Emerging strategies.