Abstract

OLEANDER: AS PROTAGONIST AND ANTAGONIST

Aaeen Alchi, Kalpesh Solanki and Dr. Himanshu A. Pandya*

ABSTRACT

Herbal products have been utilized by populations to cure and prevent diseases throughout history; however, the quality and safety of these herbal products has now become a serious issue because several cases of intentional self-harm and accidental ingestion have been reported from across the world. Due to scarcity of well documented case reports, cardiac toxicity is a statistically uncommon phenomenon. Oleander plant is draught tolerant ornamental plant. It contains polysaccharides, glycosides and titerpenoids. The parts of plant are used as traditional remedy in various diseases. This species also produces secondary metabolites some of which are of pharmacological interests. This review paper is evidence based information regarding the toxicity and pharmacological activity of this plant.

Keywords: Herbal products; poison; cardiac glycosides; oleander; cardiac toxicity.