Definition

A chemical compound derived from the Madagascar periwinkle plant, used in medicine to treat certain types of cancer.

Example

Vinblastine is often prescribed to patients undergoing treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of vinblastine?

Yeah, I think it's used in cancer treatment, right?

Exactly! It's derived from the Madagascar periwinkle.

That's interesting! I didn't know plants could have such powerful medicines.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Vinblastine is derived from 'vin' (from Latin 'vinum', meaning wine) and 'blastine' (from Greek 'blastos', meaning sprout or germ). The term refers to a compound originally derived from the periwinkle plant, which is often associated with the production of vinblastine, a chemotherapy medication used to treat cancer. Thus, the word combines the idea of a plant (associated with wine) and a growth factor.

Memory Tip

Think of 'vin' as relating to wine and 'blastine' as something that sprouts or grows. This helps you remember that vinblastine is derived from a plant and is used in treatments that affect growth.

Visually Confused Words