First global Report of Alkaloids Tubotaiwine and Vinervine in Vinca herbacea: Potential Pharmacological Applications

Abstract

Vinca herbacea Waldst. & Kit., a perennial species of the Apocynaceae family, is distributed across temperate regions of Asia and Europe but occurs only in limited areas of northern Iran, particularly along the Alborz Mountains. Members of the Apocynaceae are known for producing pharmacologically active monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIAs), including Tubotaiwine and Vinervine, which serve as precursors of anticancer agents used in the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumors. In this study, aerial parts (leaves, stems, and flowers) of Vinca herbacea were collected from the Baleskuh protected area, Tonekabon County, Mazandaran Province, Iran. Ethanolic extracts were prepared by cold maceration and analyzed using LC-MS. Results indicated the presence of Vinervine (m/z 339.25) in leaves and stems, while Tubotaiwine (m/z 325.32–325.33) was detected in all aerial organs. MassLynx data confirmed molecular ions and isotopic patterns consistent with previous reports of these alkaloids. To our knowledge, this is the first global report of Tubotaiwine and Vinervine in Vinca herbacea, expanding the phytochemical profile of this species. Given their reported anticancer, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities, these findings highlight the pharmacological and biotechnological potential of Vinca herbacea and warrant further confirmatory studies, including LC-MS/MS, NMR-based structural elucidation, and bioactivity assays