Optimization of 3', 4'-Anhydrovinblastine Synthesis in vitro Using Crude Extracts of Catharanthus roseus Irradiated with Near- Ultraviolet Light.

Dimeric indole alkaloids (DIAs), such as vinblastine and vincristine, found in Catharanthus roseus are used clinically as antitumor drugs. A stable supply of DIAs is desired because these alkaloids are very expensive due to their low abundance in plants. A coupling reaction between catharanthine (CAT) and vindoline (VID) is the rate-limiting step of DIAs biosynthesis in planta.