Vinervine

Vinervine is a monoterpene indole alkaloid of the Vinca sub-group. It is a derivative of akuammicine, with one additional hydroxy (OH) group in the indole portion, hence it is also known as 12-hydroxyakuammicine.

History
The alkaloids are a large group of natural products which are classified according to the part-structure which members of a particular group contain. Vinervine is a monoterpene indole alkaloid of the Vinca sub-group which shares a common biosynthesis with other members, namely that they are derived from strictosidine. It was first characterised in 1964 and the structures of closely related materials including akuammicine were confirmed in 1983.

Natural occurrence
Vinervine is found in a variety of plants of the Apocynaceae family, including Vinca erecta, Tabernaemontana divaricata  and several other flowering plants species that are native to Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Biosynthesis
As with other indole alkaloids, the biosynthesis of vinervine starts from the amino acid tryptophan. This is converted into strictosidine before further elaboration.

Research
Plant metabolites have long been studied for their biological activity and alkaloids in particular are major subjects for ethnobotanical research. However, vinervine has had little reported utility.