Toxicity effects of Nerium oleander, basic and clinical evidence: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Introduction: Nerium oleander is a plant that is frequently grown in gardens and public areas. N. oleander is distributed originally in subtropical Asia but is now growing in many parts of the world, such as the United States, Australia, China, and Middle East countries. Pharmacological effects of plant including antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activity were reported, but the potential toxic effects of all parts of the shrub either fresh or dried on animal and human body were documented. Method: The data of this review article were obtained from Medline/Pubmed, Scopusand Google Scholar databases in English until September 2019. To include all publications in this field, keywords such as N. oleander and toxicity were used. Results: The poisoning effects of plant or their active alkaloids induced infiltration of cells with hemorrhage and sever negative changes in the lung, induce lesions, and infiltration of inflammatory cells into the portal spaces with scattered necrosis of hepatocytes in the liver, cardiac toxicity of the plant in the heart were included, induced varying degrees of hemorrhage, myocardial degeneration, and necrosis. It also induced arrhythmia, sinus bradycardia, and prolonged P-R interval in electrocardiographic records. Conclusions: The toxic effects of N. oleander are mostly related to its inhibitory effects on the Na+-K+ ATPase pump in the cellular membrane. However, the exact molecular mechanism involved in the toxicity of N. oleander is not clear.

Antiinflammatory phytochemicals against virus‐induced hyperinflammatory responses: Scope, rationale, application, and limitations

“…However, all the pharmacological interventions associated with Oleander are preclinical because of its toxicity profile. Indeed, several studies have demonstrated the lethal effects of oleander on animals and humans (Farkhondeh, Kianmehr, Kazemi, Samarghandian, & Khazdair, 2020).…”

A Snapshot on Food Allergies: A Case Study on Edible Flowers

“…The quality and quantity of toxic compounds present in plant tissues are very important for the consequences on human health as well as the frequency of consumption. Some inedible flowers contain phytotoxins that can cause serious pathological conditions even if the consumer has eaten small amounts (e.g., Colchicum autumnale, Datura stramonium, Nerium oleander) [121][122][123]. Most of these plants produce floral nectar consisting of sugars (about 90% by dry weight) and several compounds, including lipids, amino acids, minerals, antioxidants, and secondary phytotoxic compounds transported between plant tissues via the phloem.…”

Larvicidal activity of leaf extract of Nerium oleander L. and its synthesized metallic nanomaterials on dengue vector, Aedes aegypti

“…2013), and anti‐inflammatory (Farkhondeh et al . 2020). N. oleander L. toxicity is well‐documented, and several studies have been reported in experimental animals.…”

“…The cardiac glycoside of N. oleander L. leaf extracts, cardenolides, were suggested as the causative toxic effects (Farkhondeh et al . 2020). Some of these cardenolides showed significant cytotoxicity against different cancer cell lines (Cao et al .…”

“…The leaves of the N. oleander L. are linear, leathery, and lanceolate, averaging 15 cm in length and 2.5 cm in width (Langford & Boor 1996). It showed several pharmacological activities and different biological activities, including a diuretic, insecticide (Al-Yahya et al 2000), anticancer, antimicrobial, antianxiety, antipsychotic (Roy et al 2013), and anti-inflammatory (Farkhondeh et al 2020). N. oleander L. toxicity is welldocumented, and several studies have been reported in experimental animals.…”