Toxic Effects and Ld50 Study of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Nerium oleander Against Albino Rats

Chandra Prabha

Abstract

Nerium oleander, kaner in hindi is a medium sized ornamental shrub plant. It is found worldwide and categorized in apocynaceae family. It has dark green, leathery, thick and lanceolate leaves which are arranged opposite or in whorls of three to five. It can tolerate drought and high temperature. Because of its shrubby nature it is grown along the highways to protect drivers from the high beam light of the vehicles running on the opposite lane. It is a poisonous plant and contains many toxic compounds known as cardiac glycosides. Toxicity study was carried out in the present investigation to evaluate the toxic effects and oral LD50 of ethanolic extract of Nerium oleander leaves against albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) Oral LD50 of the Nerium oleander leaf extract was determined 4348.5009 mg/kg b.wt. There were different types of toxicity symptoms among the rats like impaired coordination movement of their legs hence decrease in locomotion activity, sluggishness and loss of control of body movements. The animals felt restless and started to scratch their nose and rub their mouth on the cage floor. Their food and water intake decreased and defecation of very soft faeces was also noted. Although Nerium oleander is a toxic plant, research data on its toxicity are very scanty. Therefore, there is requirement of further study on toxicity of Nerium oleander. The aim of present study is to investigate the toxic effects and determine oral LD50 of Nerium oleander leaf extract.

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