Process of isolating vinblastine from the plant catharanthis roseus

摘要

This invention relates to a chemical process of producing an antitumor alkaloid. More particularly, it relates to a method of isolation of vinblastine from Catharanthus roseus, comprising the steps of: extracting C. roseus leaves with an acidified aqueous solution; raising the pH and extracting an alkaloid mixture with an organic solvent; chromatographing a solution of the alkaloid mixture over dextran and silica gel columns to obtain vinblastine containing fractions for isolation.