Cancers are a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and
spread of abnormal cells. The worldwide incidence of cancer is estimated at 14
million new cases every year. Tremendous resources are being invested all around
the world for developing preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies for
cancer. Several pharmaceutical companies and government/non-government
organizations are involved in the discovery and development of anticancer agents.
Vinca alkaloids are isolated from Madagascar periwinkle, Catharantus roseus
G. Don, containing about 130 terpenoids of indole alkaloid. Their clinical value was
recognized in the early 1965s. So the compound has been used as an anti-cancer
agent for more than 40 years and is a leading compound for drug development.
Today, two natural compounds, vinblastine (VLB) and vincristine (VCR) and two
semi-synthetic derivatives, vindesine (VDS) and vinorelbine (VRLB), have been
approved for use in the United States. Due to the importance of pharmaceuticals and
the low extraction of VLBs, VCRs and other alkaloids, Catharanthus roseus has
become one of the most studied medicinal plants. The research efforts of scientists
to find more compounds with lower toxicity and higher therapeutic potential are
continuing.
Based on research results and the urgency in practice, we have carried out
the thesis “Synthesis and Bioactivity Evaluation of New Vinca-alkaloid
Derivatives”.