Vinpocetine is a semisynthetic derivative alkaloid of vincamine, an extract from the periwinkle plant. Vinpocetin was first isolated from the plant in 1975 by a Hungarian chemist. Vinpocetine is a novel dietary supplement, better known in the US as an attractive garden border than a health aid, this plant has many useful derivatives that promote better health and quality of life.

Vinpocetine is reported to have cerebral blood-flow enhancing and neuroprotective effects. It has been used to maintain and improve brain health and cognition. It is widely used in Japan and many European countries to treat a number of cerebrovascular diseases. As a dietary supplement, vinpocetine offers potential neuroprotective effects as well. 

Vinpocetine is widely marketed as a supplement for vasodilation and as a nootropic for the improvement of memory and cerebral metabolism. Vinpocetine has been identified as a potent anti-inflammatory agent that might have a potential role in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. A small subset of users report uncomfortable, adverse reactions to vinpocetine.

Vinpocetine has been shown to selectively inhibit voltage-sensitive Na+ channels, resulting in a dose-dependent decrease in evoked extracellular Ca+ ions in striatal nerve endings. The Na+ channel inhibiting properties of vinpocetine are thought to contribute to a general neuroprotective effect through blockade of excitotoxicity and attenuation of neuronal damage induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.

Vinpocetine is also a phosphodiesterase (PDE) type-1 inhibitor, (with an IC50 of approximately 10−5 M.) leading to increases in intracellular levels of cyclic guanosine 3'5'-monophosphate (cGMP), an action that causes the vasorelaxant effects of vinpocetine on cerebral smooth muscle tissue.

Independent of vinpocetine's action on PDE, vinpocetine inhibits IKK preventing IκB degradation and the following translocation of NF-κB to the cell nucleus.

Increases in neuronal levels of DOPAC, a metabolic breakdown product of dopamine, have been shown to occur in striatal isolated nerve endings as a result of exposure to vinpocetine. Such an effect is consistent with the biogenic pharmacology of reserpine, a structural relative of vinpocetine, which depletes catecholamine levels and causes depression as a side effect of the cardiovascular and anti-psychotic effects. However, this effect tends to be reversible upon cessation of Vinpocetine administration, with full remission typically occurring within 3–4 weeks.

Vinpocetine comes from the periwinkle plant. Vincamine is extracted from periwinkle and an alkaloid extract of vincamine becomes Vinpocetine.

Vinpocetine is a natural substance that is effective at increasing memory, mental focus, and blood flow to the brain. In Eastern Europe (Hungary), Vinpocetine is prescribed to help treat cerebral disorders in stroke patients.

By promoting improved blood flow, vinpocetine benefits brain health.

Vinpocetine has effects on brain blood vessels, brain blood flow, and brain cells themselves. In this way, it can be of value in enhancing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the brain, as well as in possibly preventing the damage that occurs if nutrient delivery is impaired. Some research suggests that vinpocetine may also help to prevent the neurotoxic effects implicated in Alzheimer’s disease.

Vinpocetine has been identified as a novel anti-inflammatory agent. Vinpocetine inhibits the up-regulation of NF-κB by TNFα in various cell tests. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction also shows that it reduced the TNFα-induced expression of the mRNA of proinflammatory molecules such as interleukin-1 beta, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). In mice, vinpocetine reduced lipopolysaccharide inoculation induced polymorphonuclear neutrophil infiltration into the lung. Neuroinflammatory processes can result in neuronal death in Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). It has been suggested that "it would be interesting to test whether vinpocetine’s antiinflammatory properties would have a protective effect in models of neurodegenerative conditions such as AD and PD."

Vinpocetine has been called Viagra for the brain. Vinpocetine is a relatively unknown ingredient that not only is notable for improving symptoms of some cerebral disorders but also is a thermogenic extraordinaire.

Vinpocetine (vinca minor), when administered as little as 15-30 mg. a day, has been noted to improve visual acuity, cause significant and quick improvement in vascular disease and improvement in memory to a level of statistical significance.

Vinpocetine even works synergistically with other thermogenic compounds to increase norepinephrine (a major fat-oxidation hormone). This helps exercise to more rapidly decrease body fat levels.

This depends on your personal needs, goals, body chemistry, and so forth. Depending on whether your goals are more cognitive-oriented, visual- or hearing-oriented, or athletic performance-oriented, you may prefer either a vinpocetine formulation or vinpocetine alone. Generally a formulation is designed to provide optimal attainment of a particular goal. I tend to recommend formulations over single ingredients alone.

Some guidelines: Most studies showing positive benefits from vinpocetine have been done at amounts of 10 to 30 mg/day, and some at 40 mg/day. All studies done at 30 mg/day showed additional benefits compared with lesser daily amounts. Depending on your body chemistry, you could start with 10 mg/day and work up, or you could start with 30 mg/day. 

Vinpocetine is generally well-tolerated in humans. No serious side effects have thus far been noted in clinical trials, although none of these trials were long-term. Some users have reported headaches, especially at doses above 15 milligrams per day, as well as occasional upset stomach. Adverse drug-herb interactions have not been prevalent, and vinpocetine appears safe to take with other medications, including diabetes drugs, as well as blood thinners like Coumadin." However, it should be carefully noted that the safety of vinpocetine in pregnant women has not been evaluated. Vinpocetine has been implicated in one case to induce agranulocytosis, a condition in which granulocytes are markedly decreased. Some people have anecdotally noted that their continued use of vinpocetine reduces immune function. Commission E warned that vinpocetine reduced immune function and could cause apoptosis (cellular death) in the long term.