Vinpocetine

Vinpocetine is a periwinkle plant extract (Vinca major) that improves brain function. It has been used medicinally in Europe since 1983.

Vinpocetine dilates the arteries of the brain, decreases platelate aggregation, and increases erythrocyte flexibility, all of which are beneficial in cerebrovascular disease.  By increasing the brain's utilization of oxygen and oxygen, vinpocetine increases cerebral metabolic rate.

Vinpocetine can help prevent stroke and can prevent much of the damage that occurs following stroke if administered immediately following stroke.

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Vinpocetine:

• dilates the arteries of the brain but does not dilate other blood vessels

• improves the brain's utilization of oxygen

• improves the brain's utilization of glucose

• accelerates the rate of learning in animal studies by up to 40%.

• increases the length of time that short-term memory is retained.  

• improves circulation to the eyes thereby improving vision and eyesight disorders.

• improves impaired hearing and improves inner-ear problems.

• improves tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and vertigo (dizziness).

• can prevent stroke and mitigate damage in the aftermath of stroke.

• can block the action of drugs that disrupt memory.

• improved the vertigo (dizziness) of 77% of the patients in one study.

• improves the flexibility of red blood cells and may thereby help to prevent strokes.

References

References

  Kiss B, Karpati E, Mechanism of action of vinpocetine, Acta Pharm Hung 1996 Sep;66(5):213-24

  Szakall S, et al. Cerebral effects of a single dose of intravenous vinpocetine in chronic stroke patients: a PET study. J Neuroimaging 1998 Oct;8(4):197-204

  Feigin VL, et al. Vinpocetine treatment in acute ischaemic stroke a pilot single-blind randomized clinical trial. Eur J Neurol. 2001 Jan;8(1)81-5.

  Bonoczk P, et al, Role of sodium channel inhibition in neuroprotection: effect of vinpocetine. Brain Res Bull 2000 Oct;53(3):245-54.

  Meyer, E. D., et al. Pilot study about the application of Vinpocetine  in ENT. Z Klin Med. 4051-54, 1985.

  Pliushko, D. G., et al. Drug therapy of initial open-angle glaucoma. Oftalmol Zh. 272.74, 1989.

  Brooder, G., et al. Preliminary report on the use of Vinpocetine in affections of the eyeground. Arzneimittelforschung. 261973-1975, 1976.

  Kahan, A., et al. Use of ethyl Vinpocetine  in ophthalmological therapy. Arzneimittelforschung . 26(10a)1969-1972, 1976.

  Olah, V. A., et al. An in vitro study of the hydroxyl scavenger effect of Vinpocetine. Acta Paediatr Hung. 30(2)309-316, 1990.