How toxic is Catharanthus roseus?

The toxicity of Catharanthus roseus varies from individual to individual, and the dose and exposure time will also affect the toxicity. Generally speaking, ingestion or inhalation of vinca toxin can cause the following symptoms:

1. Symptoms of nervous system: including hallucination, delusion, drowsiness, anxiety, fear, insomnia and disorientation.

2, cardiovascular symptoms: may cause increased heart rate, arrhythmia, elevated blood pressure and so on.

3. Symptoms of digestive system: nausea, vomiting, dry mouth and oral inflammation may occur.

4, central nervous system symptoms: may lead to loss of consciousness, convulsions, coma and so on. Catharanthus roseus is a subshrub plant of Catharanthus in Apocynaceae. Catharanthus roseus is hairless or only slightly hairy, slightly branched, nearly square, striped and grayish green; Leaves membranous, obovate-oblong; Flowers are red, purple, pink, white and yellow, and cymes are axillary or terminal; Seeds black, rectangular and cylindrical; Flowering and fruiting are almost all year round. According to the Handbook of Chinese Herbal Medicine in Qingdao, Catharanthus roseus is named after its long flowering period, which lasts from spring to late autumn. Catharanthus roseus originated in eastern Africa and is now cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions, while it is cultivated in southwest, south-central and east China in China. Sexual preference for high temperature, high humidity, semi-shade-tolerant environment, no cold tolerance, aversion to humidity and fear of waterlogging. Generally, soil can be cultivated, but saline-alkali land is not suitable. Sandy soil with good drainage, ventilation and air permeability or soil rich in humus is better. Catharanthus roseus propagates by sowing or cutting, but the growth potential of cutting seedlings is not as strong as that of sowing seedlings. Catharanthus roseus has the effects of detoxification, anticancer, clearing away heat and calming the liver, and can be used to treat hypertension, cancer, tumor, leukemia, etc. According to modern scientific research, more than 100 alkaloids were extracted from Catharanthus roseus. Among them, vinblastine and vincristine have certain curative effects on many cancers and acute leukemia in children, and they are the most widely used anticancer plant drugs in the world. Catharanthus roseus is a bamboo plant. The white milk from its stems and leaves is very toxic and should not be eaten by mistake.