ANTI-ASTHMATIC ACTIVITY OF CATHARANTHUS PUSILLUS: A REVIEW

Abstract

There are eight species in the genus Catharanthus, seven of which are native to Madagascar and one to India (C. pusillus). One of the rare pharmacological plants with a long history of therapeutic use, dating back to Mesopotamian folklore from 2600 BCE to the present, is Catharanthus roseus, or Madagascar periwinkle. It is used extensively in herbal and traditional medicine treatments for a wide range of illnesses. Reviews of Madagascar periwinkle that have already been published have primarily focused on the herb's chemical and pharmaceutical properties, making the lack of knowledge about the species' other characteristics all the more apparent. This well-organized review offered information on the medicinal, biological, ecological, and agrotechnological properties of Madagascar periwinkle, with a focus on its anticancer compounds, as well as potential routes and modes of action. It is now possible to fully utilize the magical herb Catharanthus roseus and focus future research efforts on it due to its diverse medicinal and therapeutic potentials. A member of the Apocynaceae family, Catharanthus pusillus is also known by the names Tiny Periwinkle, Tiny Vinca, Sangkhi, and Tiloni. The tiny herb Catharanthus pusillus is indigenous to Sri Lanka and India. It has long been used as a common herbal remedy for a wide range of illnesses. This plant's roots, leaves, and latex are used to treat tumors, earaches, leprosy, dysentery, worms, ulcers, and skin and liver diseases. It is closely related to periwinkle, or Catharanthus roseus, which shows promise against diabetes and cancer. Considering the overall importance of plant-based products, Catharanthus pusillus is chosen for the study, a close relative of Catharanthus roseus, a potential medicinal plant and well phytochemically investigated species.
Keywords: Catharanthus Roseus, Apocynaceae, Periwinkle, Antiasthamatic, Phytochemically