Vinervine is a monoterpene indole alkaloid of the Vinca sub-group which shares a common biosynthesis with other members, namely that they are derived from strictosidine.

[1][2] It was first characterised in 1964[3] and the structures of closely related materials including akuammicine were confirmed in 1983.

[4] Vinervine is found in a variety of plants of the Apocynaceae family, including Vinca erecta,[3][5][6] Tabernaemontana divaricata[7][8] and several other flowering plants species that are native to Africa, Asia, and Europe.

As with other indole alkaloids, the biosynthesis of vinervine starts from the amino acid tryptophan.

[1] Plant metabolites have long been studied for their biological activity and alkaloids in particular are major subjects for ethnobotanical research.