Vinpocetine

Vinpocetine powder is a synthetic compound derived from vincamine, a substance found naturally in the leaves of the lesser periwinkle plant (Vinca minor). Vinpocetine was developed in the late 1960s and is available as a prescription drug in Europe and Japan under the brand names Cavinton, Cavinton Forte, Intelectol, and others.

Vinpocetine is used to enhance memory and increase brain metabolism. It has also been used for ischemia and reperfusion injury, and is considered a neuroprotective agent. However, there are few robust clinical studies to support the use of vinpocetine in stroke, dementia, or other diseases of the CNS.

Vinpocetine was first synthesized in the late 1960s from vincamine and has been sold under commercial names, such as Cavinton and Intelectol, since the late 1970s. Vinpocetine is primarily promoted for use in cerebral disorders of vascular origin, while V. minor has multiple purported, traditional uses including laxative, antilactaogogue, and emmenagogue.

The mechanisms of vinpocetine powder are numerous. It appears to interact with several ion channels (sodium, potassium, and calcium) while tends to result in suppressive effects on neurotransmitter release and neuroprotection when dopamine or glutamate are suppressed (these two, when unnecessarily stimulated by toxins, can cause oxidative damage). It also interacts with alpha adrenergic receptors and the TPSO receptor, and while the exact benefit of these receptor interactions are not clear they are probably relevant since they occur at the same concentrations that the ion channel interactions do.

Vinpocetine is also a PDE1 inhibitor, which is a mechanism that is both cardioprotective and cognitive enhancing. Unfortunately, this inhibition occurs at a fairly large dose and may not apply to standard supplemental dosages of vinpocetine.

Similar to PDE1, an antidopaminergic potential of vinpocetine and direct inhibition of glutaminergic receptors both appear to occur at very high concentrations in vitro and may not be relevant to standard supplementation.

1.  Improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease

Vinpocetine initially gained notice because it was said to increase blood flow to the brain, an effect some believed could improve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Weight Loss

Others have ascribed it with thermogenic properties, suggesting that it could “burn fat” or enhance exercise performance.

Results have been seen when evaluating the vinpocetine as a weight loss or sports supplement.

One study published in 2016, conducted at the University of South Florida in 2016, reported that a fat-burning supplement containing vinpocetine increase the resting metabolic rate (RMR) in 10 male athletes but did nothing to decrease their body fat.

When taken by mouth: Vinpocetine is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth appropriately, short-term. Vinpocetine can cause some side effects including stomach pain, nausea, sleep disturbances, headache, dizziness, nervousness, and flushing of the face.

COA

[1] Cohen, Pieter A. (October 2015). “Vinpocetine: An Unapproved Drug Sold as a Dietary Supplement”. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 90 (10): 1455. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2015.07.008. PMID 26434971.

[2] National Toxicology Program (September 2013). “Chemical Information Review Document for Vinpocetine (CAS No. 42971-09-5)” (PDF). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved December 28, 2018.

[3] Almada, Bianca (July 6, 2015). “False claims for brain supplement draw $152 million penalty from FTC”. Orange County Register. Retrieved January 1, 2019.

[4] Myers, Steve (July 8, 2015). “Memory Supplement Marketers Settle FTC Case for $150M”. Natural Products Insider. Retrieved 1 January 2019.