Periwinkle alkaloids

Periwinkle alkaloids are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in the periwinkle plant. They have important medical uses, especially in cancer treatment, because they can interfere with how cancer cells grow and divide. Notably, some alkaloids like vincristine and vinblastine have been developed into chemotherapy drugs. These compounds work by disrupting the process that cells use to split and multiply, helping to slow or stop the growth of cancer. Despite their benefits, they must be used carefully because they can also affect healthy cells and cause side effects.