Catharanthus roseus is one of the most investigated medicinal plants and is known for its pharmacologically alkaloids. Among the alkaloids by Catharanthus are ajmalicina and serpentine, which are important components of medicines for controlling high blood pressure and other types of cardio-vascular diseases. However, the plant is known for the production of bisindole alkaloids, vinblastine and vincristina, which are potent antineoplastic agents and indispensable constituents of most cancer chemotherapies. Paclitaxel is other medicine to come from a tree (Taxus brevifolia), its antitumor activity in a wide range of tumors. Since 1970 this compound has been used extensively to treat patients with lung cancer, ovarian and breast.
