Welcome to MAKNA {A Meaning to Life}

Periwinkle

Do you know that you could be stepping on the Periwinkle plant without knowing that the leaves of this little purple and white flower plant has got medicinal properties that is used in the treatment of cancer? The Periwinkle also known as Kemunting Cina is actually a common perennial plant found in most gardens, the road side and even playgrounds in Malaysia

This lovely, delicate flower besides beautifying gardens has helped revolutionize the treatment of cancer. The rosy periwinkle is the source of several cancer chemotherapy drugs. Chemicals found only in these plants have a unique ability to keep certain kinds of cancerous cells from reproducing. These chemicals are known to have helped increase the survival rate of childhood leukemia from 10% to 95%.

Since the periwinkle promises hope for cancer, MAKNA has adopted the periwinkle as a symbol for support in the battle against cancer in Malaysia. MAKNA uses the periwinkle logo as it symbol of hope for cancer patients.

The most important plant source of materials used in chemotheraphy is the alkaloids of Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus Rosevs). Alkaloids with anti-leukemia activity were found, and two alkaloids called vinblasfine and vincrisfine are now used, either alone, or in combination with other forms of therapy for cancer treatment.