Vincristine and Vinblastine belong to:
Catharanthus roseus produces complex dimeric alkaloids via coupling of vindoline derived from tabersonine and catharanthine moieties through peroxidase α-3′,4′-anhydrovinblastine synthase. Resulting vinblastine and vincristine contain indole and dihydroindole units fused through intricate polycyclic framework bearing basic nitrogen essential for biological activity. They disrupt mitosis by specifically binding at vinca site on β-tubulin, preventing microtubule polymerization, arresting cells at metaphase, and inducing apoptosis through JNK pathway. Clinical importance in chemotherapy of childh
Ref: van Der Heijden Curr Med Chem 2004 Catharanthus alkaloids; NCBI NBK21154 indole alkaloid; Cragg Nat Prod Vinca; PubMed 15075446.