Vincamine
Periwinkle-derived indole alkaloid, a cerebral vasodilator and the parent compound of vinpocetine.
Pharmacology
Contents
WHAT IS VINCAMINE?
Detailed overview
Vincamine is a monoterpenoid indole alkaloid extracted from the leaves of the lesser periwinkle (Vinca minor). It acts mainly as a cerebral vasodilator: it widens blood vessels to increase local cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery, and its antihypoxic properties help nerve tissue tolerate reduced oxygen. It was marketed as a licensed medicine in several European countries (for example France, Italy and Belgium) for age-related cerebrovascular disorders, and it is the source material for the semisynthetic derivative vinpocetine (ethyl apovincaminate). Clinical efficacy in dementia is limited and contested, however, and most modern neuroprotective findings come from animal models.
Mechanism
Cerebral vasodilation + phosphodiesterase inhibition
Half-life
About 1-2 hours (sustained-release forms exist)
Legal status
Licensed medicine in several EU countries
Receptor profile
- Cerebral blood flow / vascular smooth muscleStrong
- PhosphodiesteraseModerate
- Voltage-gated calcium channelsModerate
- Serotonin / dopamineWeak
Safety
Side effects, stop signs, contraindications
Side effects · 6
- Nausea, stomach upset or digestive discomfort
- Dizziness and mild headache
- Drop in blood pressure (hypotension), especially on standing
- Risk of cardiac arrhythmia: QT prolongation and ventricular arrhythmia have been reported in the literature
- Rare, reversible drop in platelet count (thrombocytopenia) in older reports
- Long-term safety remains incompletely established
Contraindications · 5
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: safety not established, avoid
- Known QT prolongation or ventricular arrhythmia: vincamine may increase the risk
- Concurrent use of QT-prolonging drugs (e.g. some antiarrhythmics, antipsychotics)
- Severe low blood pressure or untreated circulatory instability
- A prescription medicine in several countries; not recommended without medical supervision
Related Nootropics
Same therapeutic category
Studies
Related research and clinical findings
Therapeutic efficacy of vincamine in dementia
Fischhof PK, Moslinger-Gehmayr R, Herrmann WM, et al.
Vincamine alleviates brain injury by attenuating neuroinflammation and oxidative damage in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease through the NF-kB and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways
Wang P, Chen C, Shan M
Efficacy of Vincamine treatment in a rat model of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy
Li L, Su Y, Liu J, Chen C
Vincamine induces cytoprotective autophagy via regulation of AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway in gentamicin-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats
Abouelhamd A, Shehata NEM, Abdel-Hafez SMN, Abu-Baih DH
FAQ
FAQ
Periwinkle-derived indole alkaloid, a cerebral vasodilator and the parent compound of vinpocetine.
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Structure & chemistry
The information here is strictly for educational and scientific purposes. It does not replace medical advice or clinical consultation, and it does not encourage illegal substance or pharmaceutical use. Data is sourced. When in doubt, consult your doctor.