Subacute Toxicity of Nerium oleander Ethanolic Extract in Mice

Abstract

Nerium oleander ( N. oleander ) is a well-known poisonous shrub that is frequently grown in gardens and public areas and contains numerous toxic compounds. The major toxic components are the cardiac glycosides oleandrin and neriin. The aim of our study was to evaluate the toxic effects of an ethanolic N. oleander leaf extract on haematological, cardiac, inflammatory, and serum biochemical parameters, as well as histopathological changes in the heart. N. oleander extract was orally administered for 14 and 30 consecutive days at doses of 100 and 200 mg of dried extract/kg of body weight in 0.5 mL of saline. The results showed significant increases in mean corpuscular volume, white blood cell counts, platelet counts, interleukins (IL-1 and IL-6), tumour necrosis factor alpha, C reactive protein, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase and creatine kinase MB, especially at high doses. Marked pathological changes were perceived in the heart tissue. Thus, it can be concluded that exposure to N. oleander leaf extract adversely affects the heart and liver.

Suaeda vermiculata Aqueous-Ethanolic Extract-Based Mitigation of CCl4-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats, and HepG-2 and HepG-2/ADR Cell-Lines-Based Cytotoxicity Evaluations

“…The aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and alkaline phosphatase enzyme levels, along with the total protein, total bilirubin, and malondialdehyde, are known as liver damage biomarkers present in serum. The normalization of these serum enzyme levels has been observed to signal amelioration of the diseased conditions of the liver [ 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. The roles of phenols and polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, and alkaloid classes of compounds as external antioxidant entities (either as part of the plant-based products, or as a single, pure compound), and the silymarin, a known hepatoprotective agent, are considered crucial in the amelioration process [ 33 , 34 , 35 ].…”

Acute and Subacute Studies of Thevetia peruviana Seed Methanol Extracts on Wistar Male Albino Rats

“…The normal morphological behavior of vital organs was concurrent with liver and kidney function tests, which showed normal values in all groups under study, including the highest dose (100 mg/kg) of administration. However, leaf extract of Nerium oleander, a close relative of yellow oleander, showed significant adverse changes in haematological, biochemical and inflammatory parameters, as well as histopathological alterations in heart and liver tissues [23] .…”

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

“…Table 3 indicates the toxic effect of N. oleander on the heart tissue of animal models. 20 The aqueous extracts from boiling air-dried leaves of N. oleander in 0.9% NaCl solution (1:1, w/v) significantly altered hematological parameters such as red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit, MCV, lymphocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, and eosinophil count in the groups of N. Oleander oral intake for 3 and 7 days compared to the control group. 25 The aqueous leaves extract of N. Oleander and flowers (25 mg/kg, b.w.)…”

“…In addition, 200 mg of N. oleander ethanolic extract showed moderate interfascicular edema with dilated congested vessels and few degenerated myocytes with focal striation loss and focal vacuolar degeneration in the heart muscles; 30 days treatments animals with 100 mg of N. oleander showed focal mild interfascicular edema with congested vessels and very few degenerated myocytes in the heart muscles, while 200 mg of N. oleander showed focal marked interfascicular edema with congested vessels and moderately degenerated myocytes with vacuolation of the muscle. 20 Oral administration of aqueous leaf extract of N. oleander for 28 days induced pathomorphological changes in the heart in male rabbits. Mild granular degeneration of myocytes, coagulative necrosis, fragmentation in the cardiac muscle, and loss of striations were observed in heart by photomicrograph.…”

“…In addition, after 30 days of treatments, IL-6, TNF-a, CRP, aminotransferase (ALT), LDH, CK, and CK-MB levels were significantly increased at 100 and 200 mg of plant extract, while IL-1 was only significantly increased at 200 mg extract group compared to the control group. 20 N. oleander: Nerium oleander; AV: arterial/ventricular; Na þ : sodium; K þ : potassium; CK: creatine kinase.…”