Vicolide A-D showed anti-inflammatory activity against cotton pellet granuloma in rats. Vicolide D showed antipyretic activity.
Antifertility activity has been attributed to the presence of vicolide B and D, while A and C have been reported to be devoid of antifertility activity. Vicolide D was found to be anti-oestrogenic in nature.
Victoria regia Lindi.
Synonym V amazonica Sow.
Family Nymphaeaceae.
Habitat Native to South America; grown in pools in botanic gardens.
English Royal Waterlily. Water Maize (seeds).
L v) Ayurvedic Brihat-patra
Action Seed—refrigerant, cooling to the nervous system. Pond Lily root—externally, astringent, antiscrofulous. An infusion is used as a gargle for ulcers in the mouth and throat.
The leaves contain the anthocyanins, delphinidin and cyanidin.
Vinca major (Linn.) Pich.
Synonym V pubescens Urv. Family Apocynaceae.
Habitat Native to Europe. Found in the Himalayas, West Bengal and Palni Hills.
English Green Periwinkle, Greater Periwinkle.
Action Astringent, antihaemorrhagic, hypotensive. Used to treat menorrhagia and leucorrhoea.
The herb contains indole alkaloids; maj dine, isomaj dine, maj oridine, akuammine, akuammigine, carpanaubine, irvine, reserpine, serpentine, sarpagine, tetrahydroalstonine, vincamajine and vincamajoreine; and tannins.
The cytotoxic dimeric alkaloids present in Vinca rosea L., used in the treatment of certain types of cancer, have not been found in Vinca major.
Vinca minor Linn.
Family Apocynaceae.
Habitat Grown in Indian gardens as an ornamental.
English Lesser Periwinkle.
Action Astringent and circulatory stimulant (contain alkaloid yincamine). Used for gastric catarrh, chronic dyspepsia; restlessness, headache, dizziness, and for the prevention of premature aging of brain cells, as a geriatic support.
The herb contains indole alkaloids (0.15—1.4%). The major constituent
ymca rosea Linn. 705
