The Hidden Secret of Madagascar Periwinkle: Boost Your Diabetes Control with This Home Remedy

Brief note on Madagascar Periwinkle

Madagascar Periwinkle or Catharanthus roseus is a bright evergreen shrub that is highly valued for its delicate flowers and potent medicinal properties. It is also popularly known as Madagascar Periwinkle and also goes by the English names of Rose Periwinkle, Cape Periwinkle, and Old Maid. It is known as Nityakalyani in Sanskrit, Sadabahar in Hindi, Noyantora in Assamese, and  Bangla. Indigenous to Madagascar, the plant occurs in subtropical and tropical climates and has been dispersed globally as an ornamental and medicinal plant. It's now widely distributed in India, Australia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Americas, often observed on roadsides and gardens due to its adaptability to disturbed habitats. With shiny leaves and white or pink five-petaled flowers, it's often grown as a garden crop, but it's valuable for its medicinal applications.

Historical Origins in Traditional Medicinal value

Madagascar Periwinkle has been traditional medicine for ages, going back to 2600 BCE Mesopotamian legends. Leaves and roots have been utilized in curing diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and infections within Ayurveda, India's indigenous system of medicine. Herbs with similar characteristics are mentioned in ancient Ayurvedic literature such as in the "Charaka Samhita" for the management of "madhumeha" (diabetes). Periwinkle extracts have been used by traditional Chinese medicine to manage diabetes, malaria, and heart disease.  

Role in Diabetes Management

Diabetes is a chronic condition of blood glucose regulation. Type-1 diabetes is due to the pancreas producing little or no insulin, typically diagnosed in children and requiring insulin therapy. Type-2 diabetes, more common, is due to insulin resistance or insufficient insulin secretion, typically linked to lifestyle problems such as obesity and physical inactivity.

Madagascar Periwinkle has proved useful primarily in managing Type-2 diabetes. Its leaves contain alkaloids like vindoline, vindolidine, and vindolinine, which enhance insulin sensitivity and cellular uptake of glucose. Studies show that leaf extracts are capable of lowering animal model blood glucose levels to the level that is attained by standard drugs like glibenclamide. Its application in Type-1 diabetes is low since it doesn't substitute for insulin but aids in glucose metabolism. Despite established traditional use supporting its role, human clinical experience is limited and it must only be used with medical supervision for a complementary therapy.

WHO's Perspective of Diabetes

The World Health Organization considers diabetes to be an international public health emergency. In 2021, WHO estimated that 537 million adults globally lived with diabetes, and this was expected to rise to 643 million by 2030. Type-2 diabetes accounts for over 90% of all cases. In India, the burden is huge, with 77 million adults having been affected in 2019 and estimated to rise to 101 million by 2030. India ranks second only to China in diabetes prevalence, driven by urbanization, physical inactivity, and genetic predisposition.

WHO indicates that diabetes contributes to 1.5 million deaths annually and complications like heart disease, kidney disease, and blindness. Low awareness and limited access to care exacerbate the condition in India, with over 50% of the cases not being diagnosed. WHO encourages prevention through eating healthily, regular exercise, and affordable treatments, indicating the potential of traditional medicine like Madagascar Periwinkle when validated scientifically.

Natural Chemical Compounds for Diabetes

Madagascar Periwinkle's antidiabetic activity is attributed to its high alkaloid content. The key compounds are:

Vindoline: Enhances glucose uptake in muscle and pancreatic cells.
Vindolidine: Enhances insulin sensitivity.
Vindolicine and Vindolinine: Inhibit insulin-degrading enzymes, prolonging its action.
Ajmalicine: Enhances blood supply, indirectly aiding glucose metabolism.

These alkaloids synergistically lower blood sugar, even though they occur in low levels, and need to be extracted carefully. Leaves also have flavonoids and phenolic compounds that confer antioxidant activity, which safeguards against diabetes oxidative stress.

Parts Used, Dosage, and Duration

The leaves and sometimes flowers of Madagascar Periwinkle are used in both traditional and modern uses for the management of diabetes. Preparations include:

Leaf Decoction: Boil 6-8 fresh leaves in 2 cups of water till the amount becomes 1 cup. Take once daily in the morning.

Leaf Juice: Extract juice from 3-4 fresh leaves and take orally or with water.

Powdered Leaves: Dry leaves, pulverize into a fine powder, and give 1-2 grams daily with water.

Recommended Dosage: Studies suggest 3-4 leaves daily for adults. Individual doses vary according to age and health status, so consult a healthcare provider.

Duration: Use for 2-4 weeks, then break to avoid toxicity. Chronic use is not advisable due to the plant's potent alkaloids.

Note: Always use fresh, clean leaves and steer clear of commercial, non-standardized extracts, as alkaloid content varies.

Other Diseases and Uses

Apart from diabetes, Madagascar Periwinkle is also renowned for its vinblastine and vincristine alkaloids that are used in chemotherapy for:

Leukemia (especially childhood leukemia

Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Breast, Lung, and Testicular Cancers

It is conventionally used to cure:

Hypertension: Ajmalicine lowers blood pressure.

Menstrual Disorders: Leaf decoctions regularize heavy or light flow.

Infections: Antibacterial activity supports wound healing.

Memory Disorders: Vincamine increases cerebral blood flow, potentially averting vascular dementia.

Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties also support general health, though cancer treatment uses require purified alkaloids under medical guidance.

Precautions for Safe Use

As powerful as it is, Madagascar Periwinkle is not without risk:

Toxicity: Contains toxic alkaloids; excess oral consumption results in nausea, vomiting, low blood sugar, or nerve damage.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Presumably unsafe; may cause miscarriage or harm to infants.

Drug Interactions: Potentiates diabetes medications and causes hypoglycemia. It is a diuretic and may affect levels of lithium.

Surgery: Stop 2 weeks before surgery because of blood sugar effects.

Children: Not advised unless under pediatric supervision.

Use only with medical consultation before use, especially while on medications or in pregnancy. Monitor blood sugars closely to avoid adverse effects.

Complementary Lifestyle Practices

To get optimal diabetes control when taking Madagascar Periwinkle, adopt these habits:

• Balanced Diet: Focus on low-glycemic foods like whole grains, vegetables, and lean protein. Limit refined sugars and processed carbs.

• Regular Exercise: 150 minutes of moderate exercise (e.g., brisk walking) per week to enhance insulin sensitivity.

• Weight Management: Maintain healthy BMI to reduce insulin resistance.

• Stress Reduction: Utilize yoga or meditation to reduce cortisol levels, which affect blood sugar.

• Regular Monitoring: Check blood glucose and HbA1c to track progress.

All of these in addition to periwinkle use contribute to outcomes, yet lifestyle changes are crucial for long-term control.

Published Research Papers

1. Nammi, S., et al. (2003). "The juice of fresh leaves of Catharanthus roseus Linn. reduces blood glucose in normal and alloxan diabetic rabbits." BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 3(4). The study confirmed the leaf juice's hypoglycemic activity through animal models to support claims by traditional practitioners.

2. Tiong, S. H., et al. (2013). "Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don: A review of its ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology." Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 149(2), 739-748. The review discusses the plant's antidiabetic alkaloids and their mechanisms.

3. Vega-Ávila, E., et al. (2012). "Hypoglycemic activity of aqueous extracts from Catharanthus roseus." Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2012, 934258. The article highlights the glucose-lowering activity in vivo of leaf extracts.

Conclusion

The Madagascar Periwinkle is a wonderful plant that mixes beauty and potential for healing. Its application to diabetes treatment by traditional healers, validated by emerging science, offers promise for herbal treatments. Its potency needs caution and medical guidance. Used with a balanced lifestyle, it can be an effective ally in the control of Type-2 diabetes, honoring centuries of tradition while inviting further research.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog post regarding the historical use of medicinal plants is derived from personal experiences over a long period of time and is acquired from authentic online resources. This content is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement of professional medical guidance.