Catharanthus roseus leaves extract was investigated for its hypotensive and hypolipidemic effects in

a crossover design done by Ara et al (2009). It contains several phytochemical properties that have an effect
on cardiac functions. Ajmalicine is used for hypertension and primarily in cerebral and peripheral arterial
circulatory disorders. Mainly in combination with symphatolytics and reserpine, its hypotensive effect
intensifies. It is alkaloid used as an antagonist of α1-adrenergic receptor, α2- adrenergic receptors and
nicotinic receptors. This alkaloid blocks the effect of sympathetic nerves on blood vessels by binding to alpha-
adrenoceptors located on the vascular smooth muscle. α1-adrenergic receptors are located at the
postsynaptic effector cells in the smooth muscle while α2-adrenergic receptors are located at presynaptic
adrenergic nerve terminals, platelets, lipocytes and smooth muscles. Because of this, vascular smooth muscle
tone is determined by the actions on these alpha-adrenergic receptors. It acts as competitive antagonists,
causing vasodilation by blocking the binding of norepinephrine to the smooth muscle receptors resulting to a
decrease in total peripheral resistance and arteriolar blood pressure which will cause a decrease in heart
rate.

Reserpines are alkaloids used as an antipsychotic and antihypertensive drug. It acts as an adrenergic
uptake inhibitors which block the transport of adrenergic transmitters into axon terminals or into storage
vesicles within terminals. It blocks the ability of aminergic transmitter vesicles to take up and store biogenic
amines, probably by interfering with the vesicular membrane-associated transporter (VMAT). This effect
occurs throughout the body, resulting in depletion of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin in both central
and peripheral neurons. It depletes stores of catecholamines and 5-hydroxytryptamine in the heart which
results in a decreased heart rate and a lowering of arterial blood pressure. One of these catecholamines is
norepinephrine which also affects the contractility of the heart. Due to depletion of this catecholamine, there
will be a decrease in force of contraction. It has a slow onset of action and sustained effects. It readily enters
the brain and depletion of cerebral amine stores causes sedation, mental depression and Parkinsonism
symptoms.

References:

Ara, N., Rashid, M., & Amran, M.S. (2009). Comparison of hypotensive and hypolipidemic effects of
Catharanthus roseus leaves extract with atenolol on adrenaline induced hypertensive rats. Pak J Pharm Sci.
22(3):267-71. PMID:19553172

Neuwinger, H. D. (1996). African ethnobotany: Poisons and drugs : chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology.
London: Chapman & Hall.