Description
Vincamine is an alkaloid extracted from the leaves of the Vinca minor and is a related synthetic ethyl ester of vincaminic acid. It has spasmolytic effects similar to reserpine and can potentially improve blood flow in the brain.
Chemical Properties
white to almost white fine crystalline powder
Originator
Pervancamine ,Dausse,France,1969
Uses
Vincamine is often used as a nootropic agent to combat the effects of aging, or in conjunction with other nootropics (such as piracetam) for a variety of purposes. Vincamine is a peripheral vasodilator that increases blood flow to the brain.
Definition
ChEBI: Vincamine is a vinca alkaloid, an alkaloid ester, an organic heteropentacyclic compound, a methyl ester and a hemiaminal. It has a role as an antihypertensive agent, a vasodilator agent and a metabolite. It is functionally related to an eburnamenine.
Manufacturing Process
The following route is described in US Patent 4,145,552: At ambient
temperature, over a period of thirty minutes, a solution of 33.8g (0.1mol) of
(-)-vincadiformine in a mixture of 140 ml of anhydrous dimethylformamide
and 140 ml of anhydrous toluene is added to a suspension of 2.64 g (0.11
mol) of sodium hydride in a mixture of 200 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran,
20 ml of anhydrous hexamethylphosphotriamide (EMPT) and 18.7 ml (0.14
mol) of trimethyl phosphite. When the release of hydrogen has finished (about
two hours later), the solution is cooled to -10°C and then stirred under an
oxygen atmosphere until absorption ceases (duration: 3 hours). Still at -10°C,
136 ml of glacial acetic acid are added, and the mixture is then left at
ambient temperature for two hours. After the addition of 500 ml of 1 N
sulfuric acid, the aqueous phase is isolated, reextracted with 150 ml of
isopropyl ether, made alkaline with 350 ml of 11 N ammonia, then extracted 3
times with 300 ml aliquots of methylene chloride. After drying over calcium chloride and evaporating the solvent, 30.2 g of crude product are obtained
which, when chromatographed on a column of silica gel (1.5 kg) yield, 9.9 g
of vincamine (yield: 28%) melting point (decomp.): 250°C.
brand name
Cerebroxine;Cetal;Ocu-vinc;Oxygeron;Pervincamine;Vadicate;Vinca minor;Vincacen;Vincapront;Vincavix;Vincimax.
Therapeutic Function
Vasodilator
World Health Organization (WHO)
Vincamine, an alkaloid derived from Vinca minor, is claimed to
increase cerebral circulation and utilization of oxygen. It is used in a variety of
cerebral disorders and is widely marketed for this purpose.
benefits
Vincamine is a naturally occurring indole alkaloid showing antioxidant activity and has been used clinically for the prevention and treatment of cerebrovascular disorders and insufficiencies. It has been well documented that antioxidants may contribute to cancer treatment, and thus, vincamine has been investigated recently for its potential antitumor activity. Vincamine was found to show cancer cell cytotoxicity and to modulate several important proteins involved in tumor growth, including acetylcholinesterase (AChE), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and T-box 3 (TBX3).
General Description
Vincamine is a monoterpenoid indole alkaloid found in the leaves of
Vinca minor L., belonging to the Apocynaceae family.
