Vincamine (Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloid · Cerebral Blood Flow · Neuroprotective)
| Compound | Vincamine |
| Chemical class | Alkaloid — Indole (Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloid) |
| CAS | 1617-90-9 |
| Primary source | Vinca minor (lesser periwinkle / myrtle) |
| Key applications | Cerebral blood flow, cognitive support, vasodilatory, neuroprotective |
| Claim strength | Moderate |
| Typical form | Vinca minor extract standardised to vincamine; vincamine isolate |
| Buy from Herbuno | Request availability and bulk pricing → |
Commercial source: Vincamine is commercially available as a standardised constituent of Vinca minor (lesser periwinkle) aerial part extract from specialist botanical suppliers. Isolated vincamine is available as a pharmaceutical reference compound and from specialist chemical suppliers. Contact Herbuno for availability assessment. Traditional use: Vinca minor (lesser periwinkle) has been used in European folk medicine for circulatory complaints, memory enhancement, and as a general tonic. Its use for cognitive decline in elderly populations became prominent in 20th century European phytomedicine. Vincamine was isolated in the 1950s and became the pharmacological basis for the semi-synthetic drug vinpocetine (ethyl apovincaminate) — one of the most widely used cognitive support pharmaceuticals in Eastern Europe. Research trajectory: Vincamine and its derivative vinpocetine have documented cerebrovascular effects: vasodilation, improved cerebral blood flow, phosphodiesterase inhibition, and neuroprotective mechanisms. Multiple Eastern European (Hungarian) clinical studies support cognitive benefit in elderly populations with cerebrovascular insufficiency. See sourcing options below.
Evidence for Vincamine Applications
Cerebral blood flow and cognitive support: Vincamine dilates cerebral blood vessels via calcium channel antagonism and PDE inhibition, increasing cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery. Hungarian clinical studies in elderly patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency demonstrate improvements in cognitive performance, memory, and EEG parameters. Vincamine is the precursor to vinpocetine (ethyl apovincaminate), which has a more extensive clinical evidence base for these applications. Claim strength: Moderate.
Neuroprotective: Vincamine reduces neuronal excitotoxicity, activates the NO/cGMP vasodilatory pathway, and reduces oxidative stress in neural tissue. In ischaemia-reperfusion models, vincamine reduces neuronal damage and improves functional recovery. Claim strength: Moderate.
Antihypertensive: Vincamine’s calcium channel antagonism produces mild antihypertensive effects alongside cerebrovascular vasodilation. Relevant for elderly cardiovascular and cognitive health formulations. Claim strength: Moderate.
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Dosage & Formulator Specification
Clinical dose range (Eastern European studies): 15–30 mg/day vincamine (as isolated compound or standardised Vinca minor extract). Vinpocetine (the semi-synthetic derivative) is typically dosed at 5–20 mg three times daily in clinical studies. For Vinca minor extract: specify minimum 0.5–1% vincamine by HPLC for meaningful active delivery.
Important regulatory note: vinpocetine (vincamine’s derivative) has been classified as a pharmaceutical drug in the EU and several other markets, and the FDA has raised concerns about its classification as a dietary supplement in the US (questioning its pre-DSHEA market status). Vincamine itself from botanical Vinca minor extract has different regulatory considerations from synthetic vinpocetine, but formulators should verify current regulatory status in their specific market before using vincamine or vinpocetine as supplement ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions — Vincamine
What is the relationship between vincamine and vinpocetine?
Vinpocetine (ethyl apovincaminate) is a semi-synthetic derivative of vincamine produced by chemical modification of the natural alkaloid. Vinpocetine has a more extensively studied clinical evidence base than vincamine itself, reflecting decades of pharmaceutical development in Eastern Europe. Vincamine is the botanical precursor; vinpocetine is the pharmaceutical semi-synthetic with enhanced pharmacokinetic properties. Both share the same basic cerebrovascular and neuroprotective mechanisms.
Is Vinca minor related to the Vinca alkaloids used in chemotherapy?
Taxonomically, Vinca minor (lesser periwinkle) is related to Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle, formerly classified as Vinca rosea). The Vinca alkaloids used in chemotherapy (vincristine, vinblastine) come from Catharanthus roseus, not Vinca minor. Vincamine from Vinca minor is structurally and pharmacologically entirely different from the chemotherapy Vinca alkaloids. The shared name can cause confusion; formulators should clarify the source species distinction.
Can Vinca minor extract be positioned as a nootropic?
Vincamine’s cerebral blood flow-enhancing and cognitive support evidence provides a rationale for nootropic positioning. The term “nootropic” is not a regulated claim in most markets. Position as “studied to support healthy cerebral circulation and cognitive function”. The most defensible formulation approach combines Vinca minor extract with other well-evidenced cognitive botanicals (Bacopa monnieri, lion’s mane, ginkgo) for a comprehensive cognitive support formula.
Is vincamine from Vinca minor classified as a supplement or pharmaceutical ingredient?
Vincamine from Vinca minor botanical extract is generally classified as a herbal supplement ingredient in most markets (distinct from synthetic vinpocetine, which faces pharmaceutical classification in EU). However, regulatory status is jurisdiction-specific and has been evolving. Verify current status with a regulatory specialist in your target market before commercialising vincamine-containing products, particularly in EU and US markets where vinpocetine regulatory actions may affect related alkaloids.
Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.
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