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Effective control of pyrethroid-resistant malaria vectors requires new alternative measures. The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of Thevetia oil extracted from seed kernels to control malaria transmission by An. gambiae s.l. Sensitivity tests were carried out on larvae of Stages 3 and 4 of An. gambiae s.s of wild-type and pyrethroid-resistant Kis-kdr. The susceptible reference strain "Kisumu" served as a control. Mortality was read 24 hours and 48 hours after exposure. LD50 and 90 for 24 hours and 48 hours were determined using the log-probit method of determining the dose corresponding to a proportion. The high LD50s determined in 24 hours and 48 hours correspond to doses that kill 50% of Stage 3 larvae in wild populations in 24 hours and 48 hours. Low LD50s refer to stage 4 "Kisumu" larvae. The strong DL90 in 24 hours and 48 hours correspond respectively to stage 3 larvae of the Kis-kdr and wild-type strains. The comparison of the LD between the different strains shows the influence of the resistance on the sensitivity of the larvae of the strains resistant to the oil tested. However, the larvicidal effect of Thevetia oil on the larvae of resistant strains may elicit formulations for alternative measures in vector resistance management to pyrethroids.

Objective: Air pollution is one of the most severe environmental problems of developing cities which adversely affects both plant and human life. However, roadside plants in the urban locations help in reducing the pollution level from the air through foliar surface and act as pollution sink. In this work, an attempt was made to understand the impact of air pollution on urban roadside plants which act as bio indicator.Methods: A study was conducted to check the impact of urbanization on air pollution by analyzing anatomical and biochemical aspects of Thevetia peruviana L. For anatomical analysis, the transverse sections of leaves were observed under a microscope; whereas for biochemical analysis, the estimation of chlorophyll, carotenoid and protein were determined by spectrophotometric methods. On the other hand, antioxidant enzyme assays, as well as specific activity staining, were performed to study the antioxidant potential. To investigate the antioxidant activity of the leaf extracts, an assay for catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were performed. Isoforms of CAT, GPX and SOD were separated using native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and their activities were analyzed.Results: Analysis of data revealed that the anatomical disturbances significantly occurred in exposed plants of various sites. Among biochemical parameters, photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll and carotenoid content were found to be decreased. A maximum (7.65±0.51, 3.78±0.56,11.43±0.91, 5.63±0.55 mg/g, respectively) decrement was noticed in leaves of the Pokhariput plant in comparison to Khorda NH5 (19.44±1.08, 10.12±1.03, 29.56±2.32, 10.22±1.21 mg/g, respectively) which is taken as control one. To determine the effect of air pollution on proteins, leaf extracts were analyzed by the Lowry method and sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The substantial decrement of total protein and alteration in polypeptides were noticed in polluted sites. Meanwhile, the enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activities such as CAT, GPX and SOD were also detected.Conclusion: The increment of antioxidant enzymes and alteration of proteins, suggesting the activation of defensive mechanisms in selected plants under air pollution stress and also the plants made physiological and biochemical adjustments to overcome the oxidative damage.

Thevetia peruviana is cultivated as an ornamental plant, and planted as large flowering shrub or small ornamental tree. T. peruniava is prevalent in South Asian countries especially in India and Sri Lanka. Its various plant extracts contain a number of phytoconstituents. Some parts of the plant used for specific pharmacological purpose. Some parts of plant are toxic and contain a variety of cardiac glycosides including thevetin A and thevetin B. This article compiles all the information related Thevetia peruviana .

Cascabela thevetia (L.) Lippold (Apocynaceae), commonly known as Captain Cook tree or yellow oleander, has established large infestations in riparian areas along several creeks and rivers in northern Queensland. To better understand the ecology of C. thevetia and the implications for its spread and management, this study reports seven experiments related to the seed ecology of its yellow and peach biotypes. We quantified its germination response to ambient (Experiment 1a and 1b), alternating and constant temperature (Experiment 2a and 2b) regimes and exposure to different light conditions (Experiment 3). Seed longevity under two soil types, two levels of pasture cover and three burial depths was also determined (Experiment 4a and 4b). Both loose seeds and seeds still within pods (kernels) of the two biotypes of C. thevetia were able to germinate in all months of the year in northern Queensland, irrespective of the large differences in monthly ambient temperatures experienced at the Charters Towers study site. Both biotypes also germinated across a wide range of alternating day/night temperatures from 16/12°C to 47/37°C and constant temperatures from 17°C to 44.0°C. Germination of the two biotypes was significantly greater (4-fold) and faster (7 days earlier) under shade than under natural light conditions. Over all biotypes, soil types, levels of pasture cover and burial depths, no seeds of C. thevetia remained viable after 2 years: longevity was much less in many circumstances. The results demonstrate that C. thevetia seeds can germinate over a wide temperature range, whereas the ability of seed to remain viable at low temperatures highlights the potential for expansion of its current potential distribution towards southern latitudes of the Australian continent. Across all experimental conditions, the yellow biotype displayed superior seed germination and viability traits compared with the peach biotype. Seed banks of the peach and yellow biotypes of C. thevetia are short-lived (2 years), which may be exploited when developing management strategies to reduce its impacts.

Many herbomineral preparations are currently being used as therapeutic remedies for common ailments. Commonly known cardiotoxic herbs are Aconitum ferox (aconite), Areca catechu (betel nut), Thevetia peruviana (yellow oleander) and Cleistanus collinus (oduvan). Herbs mixed with lead, copper and/or mercury are known to be highly toxic. They produce cardiac arrhythmias, mainly ventricular ectopics, ventricular tachycardia and various degrees of arterioventricular (AV) blocks. We report 12 such successive cases where the patients developed vague feelings of discomfort, dizziness, chest discomfort and ventricular arrhythmias following herbal drug ingestion which warranted the immediate discontinuation of the drug. Three of the patients died. This paper emphasizes the risk of unsupervised use of herbomineral preparations by patients who believe that the remedies are always ‘safe’ and the urgent necessity for the pharmacognostic identification of the constituent herbs, their toxicological studies, uniform nomenclature, authenticity and standardization of plants and their parts before advocating them for therapeutic use.

A 25-year-old woman was evaluated and treated for ingestion of Thevetia peruviana seeds and flower petals—a natural digoxin cross reacting cardinolide—with intent to cause self-harm. The following case report provides the clinical presentation, treatment and management of acute yellow oleander poisoning.

The air pollution tolerance indices (APTI) of four plant species: Ficus religiosa, Polyalthia longifolia, Pterospernum acerifolium and Thevetia peruviana growing along roadsides at polluted site (Satwari-Bikram Chowk road) in Jammu city has been worked out and compared with the plants growing at the reference location (New University Campus) to categorize plants as sensitive or resistant. The plants were analysed for leaf relative water content (RWC), ascorbic acid content (AA), total leaf chlorophyll (T Ch) and leaf extract pH to compute the APTI values which indicated that all plants belong to sensitive category as per the index range given by Gaikwad et al. (2006). The values of all the studied biochemical parameters and APTI has been observed to decline in the plants growing at polluted sites in comparison to plants growing at reference site. However, among the plant species growing at polluted site, Ficus religiosa has been observed to be comparatively more tolerant against air pollutants with a maximum APTI value (4.76±0.16) whereas Pterospernum acerifolium is more sensitive to air pollutants with minimum APTI value (1.65±0.19). The order of tolerance among these plants has been observed to be: Ficus religiosa> Polyalthia longifolia> Thevetia peruviana> Pterospernum acerifolium. The result also indicated that combining variety of these parameters gave a more reliable result than those of individual parameter.

The authors describe three cases of severe accidental poisoning by plants used as part of a traditional treatment in Mayotte. The established, or suspected, toxicity of Thevetia peruviana (Yellow oleander), Cinchona pubescens (Red quinine-tree), Melia azaderach (Persian lilac, also called china berry) and Azadirachta indica (Neem), is discussed. The clinical presentation is cardiac (atrioventricular block) and well known for Thevetia and Cinchona intoxications. Neurological signs and multi-organ failure are found for Azadirachta and Melia. The identification of the plants is never easy, nor is the evidence of their accountability. In the three cases reported, no other cause than the traditional treatment has been found to explain the clinical presentation. The outcome was favorable in all cases. The authors emphasize the difficulties to investigate these accidents, the poor medical knowledge of these practices in tropical areas, and in Mayotte particularly. The need for cooperation with local botanists, familiar with traditional medicine, is also underlined.

Leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) is a major disease of wheat. We tested aqueous leaf extracts of Jacaranda mimosifolia (Bignoniaceae), Thevetia peruviana (Apocynaceae), and Calotropis procera (Apocynaceae) for their ability to protect wheat from leaf rust. Extracts from all three species inhibited P. triticina urediniospore germination in vitro. Plants sprayed with extracts before inoculation developed significantly lower levels of disease incidence (number of plants infected) than unsprayed, inoculated controls. Sprays combining 0.6% leaf extracts and 2 mM salicylic acid with the fungicide Amistar Xtra at 0.05% (azoxystrobin at 10 μg/liter + cyproconazole at 4 μg/liter) reduced disease incidence significantly more effectively than sprays of fungicide at 0.1% alone. Extracts of J. mimosifolia were most active, either alone (1.2%) or in lower doses (0.6%) in combination with 0.05% Amistar Xtra. Leaf extracts combined with fungicide strongly stimulated defense-related gene expression and the subsequent accumulation of pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins in the apoplast of inoculated wheat leaves. The level of protection afforded was significantly correlated with the ability of extracts to increase PR protein expression. We conclude that pretreatment of wheat leaves with spray formulations containing previously untested plant leaf extracts enhances protection against leaf rust provided by fungicide sprays, offering an alternative disease management strategy.

Cardiac toxicity after self-poisoning from ingestion of yellow oleander seeds is common in Eastern Sri Lanka.To determine the clinical manifestations, cardiac arrhythmias, electrolytes abnormalities and outcome of management using currently available treatment, Poisoning Unit, Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern Sri Lanka.We studied 65 patients [Mean age : 23(± 0.43)yrs], (Male: Female=27:38) with yellow oleander poisoning (YOP) admitted to a Poisoning Unit, Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern Sri Lanka from January to December 2011.Most patients are symptomatic who presented with classical symptoms of vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. Cardiac dysrhythmias such as bradycardia or an irregular pulse are the most common findings on examination. Most symptomatic patients had conduction defects affecting the sinus node, the atrioventricular (AV) node, or both. Patients showing cardiac arrhythmias that required transfer for specialised management had significantly higher serum potassium concentrations. Almost all patients were treated with multiple activated charcoal even late presentation. Patients with brad arrhythmias were treated with intravenous boluses of atropine and intravenous infusions of isoprenaline. Temporary cardiac pacing was done for those not responding to drug therapy. There were two deaths (3.07%), both had third-degree heart block. They died even definitive treatment could be instituted. Of the remaining 63 patients, 54 (83.1%) patients required treatment, and 29 were treated with only atropine and/or isoprenaline while one required cardiac pacing in addition. 12 (18.4%) patients had arrhythmias that were considered life threatening (second-degree heart block type II, third-degree heart block and nodal bradycardia). They had good recovery even though they had developed cardiac toxicity.YOP are common among young females. The cardiac toxicity develops within 24 hrs of ingestion of YO seeds. The risk of toxicity has negative correlation with number of seeds. Most patients have nonspecific symptoms. AV conduction defects are common. Multiple activated charcoals alone were safe and adequate in most cases even late presentation.

Cardiac conduction disorders following oral ingestion of Oleander plant materials were documented earlier. Transcutaneous absorption of yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana) leaf extract applied over non intact skin (raw wound) resulting in reversible cardiac conduction disorder observed in four healthy males who were free from any other systemic or electrolyte or metabolic disorders or exposure to pesticide or toxins is reported for the first time. Their hematological, biochemical, clinical, and echocardiogram status were within normal limits and free of any abnormalities. One among the four, presented for weakness and breathlessness (class II). He had bradycardia with Mobitz II block and hypotension without any other demonstrable localizing signs. The other three were identified in the community and without any symptoms. However, their ECG revealed bradycardia with Mobitz I block in two and complete heart block in the other. All of the four recovered well without any untoward events. Hence, it is suggested that physicians and practitioners have to elicit history and route of administration of unconventional therapy, whenever they are confronted with clinical challenges and during medical emergencies before embarking final decision.

Fatty acid mixtures were extracted from Thevetia peruviana and Hura crepitans seed oils. The quantitative determination of fatty acid composition was carried out for each sample by methylation and application of gas chromatograph (GC-FID). The predominant fatty acids in the T. peruviana and H. crepitans are palmitic acid (16:0) (19.10% and 21.67%), stearic acid (18:0) (7.31% and 9.66%), Oleic acid (18:1) (53.40% and 26.91%) and Linoleic acid (18:2) (19.03% and 36.61%) respectively. In the two oils, the ratios of unsaturated fatty acid were very high about 72% for T. peruviana and 62 % for H. crepitans which is an indication that both would be very good sources of oleochemicals for polymer and other industries. This study was to evaluate the fatty acid compositions of the two seeds oil using FT-IR and GC-FID spectrometer.

Effects of soaking using water, ethanol and brine on proximate and cardiac glycoside composition of Thevetia neriifolia seed (TS) were undertaken. Each 100g portion of TS was soaked in either water or ethanol for 24 hours or in 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% brine solution for 2, 3 or 4 hours. The samples were then either sun-dried for 3 days or toasted after soaking and thereafter analyzed for chemical and residual glycoside composition. There were significant (P 0.05). Toasting significantly (P

India is one of the important widespread geographic locations on mega biodiversity areas on earth. The rich cultural heritage of India is also associated with the use of available ethno medicinal flora and fauna since ages. To raise this traditional knowledge to global level and to serve the mankind using the same, a systematic modern approach has been adopted here to ascertain the rational use of traditionally applied Indian herbs for the purpose of healing wounds and controlling haemorrhage from cuts and bruises. In vitro clotting time of blood in presence and absence of various plant extracts was used as a guide to study haemostatic activityof the herbs under study. Of the ten plants evaluated, aqueous extracts of Quercus pubescens, Thevetia peruviana proved to have significant haemostatic activity at P

The oleander is an attractive and hardy shrub that thrives in tropical and subtropical regions. The common pink oleander, Nerium oleander, and the yellow oleander, Thevetia peruviana, are the principle oleander representatives of the family Apocynaceae. Oleanders contain within their tissues cardenolides that are capable of exerting positive inotropic effects on the hearts of animals and humans. The cardiotonic properties of oleanders have been exploited therapeutically and as an instrument of suicide since antiquity. The basis for the physiological action of the oleander cardenolides is similar to that of the classic digitalis glycosides, i.e. inhibition of plasmalemma Na+,K+ ATPase. Differences in toxicity and extracardiac effects exist between the oleander and digitalis cardenolides, however. Toxic exposures of humans and wildlife to oleander cardenolides occur with regularity throughout geographic regions where these plants grow. The human mortality associated with oleander ingestion is generally very low, even in cases of intentional consumption (suicide attempts). Experimental animal models have been successfully utilized to evaluate various treatment protocols designed to manage toxic oleander exposures. The data reviewed here indicate that small children and domestic livestock are at increased risk of oleander poisoning. Both experimental and established therapeutic measures involved in detoxification are discussed.

10-Carboxyloganin was isolated along with β-D-glucosides of cyclopentano-normonoterpenoids and dinormonoterpenoids from the frozen fresh leaves of Cerbera manghas. Their structures were characterized by means of MS and NMR spectroscopy. The correlation of drying conditions of the leaves and yields of glucosides or allosides of cyclocerberidol and epoxycerberidol was studied. The dinormonoterpenoids were similar to those obtained from Thevetia peruviana.

SUMMARYTwo experiments done at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, in 1992/93 investigated the effects of dietary levels of thevetia cake on the performance and nutrient retention of broilers. In Expt 1, dayold broiler chicks were fed either a control diet or diets containing 5, 10 or 15% thevetia cake during a 4-week period. In Expt 2, day-old broiler chicks were fed a standard diet until 4 weeks of age and were then switched to diets containing 0, 5, 10 or 15% thevetia cake. Inclusion of thevetia cake in broiler diets, irrespective of level of inclusion, drastically reduced feed intake and weight gain (p < 0·01) at both the starter and finisher stages. Dietary thevetia cake also caused a significant increase in mortality rate (P < 0·01). There was a reduction in protein and fibre retention and dietary ME with increases in the dietary level of thevetia cake at both the starter and finisher stages (P < 0·05). It is concluded that thevetia cake is toxic to broilers and needs further processing before it can effectively be used as an ingredient in broiler feed.

Objective : The objective of this work was to evaluate, the impact of aqueous extracts of seeds of “yellow oleander” Thevetia peruviana (AETP), Azadirachta indica (AEAI) “neem” and Ridomil Gold Plus 66WP in black pod disease in Cameroon during two consecutive years. Methodology and results : A completely randomize bloc device containing four treatments (control, AETP, AEAI and Ridomil R and three replications was used in the farm. Extracts were applied twice in a month at the dose of 16.67 g/l while Ridomil R was applied one time a month at the dose of 3.33 g/l to the heights H1 and H2. Disease distribution across various pod distribution development stages showed that mature pods were the most susceptible to P. megakarya . A significantly difference is observed between the different treatments on all parameters evaluated. The disease rates were 7.92 %, 5.38 %, 8.94 % and 36.24 % in the plots treated with fungicide, AETP, AEAI and untreated respectively, in 2013, and 10.95 %, 7.85 %, 16.21 % and 37.83 % in the same plots in 2014. The major results obtained compared to the rate of rot showed that AETP was more efficient than Ridomil R and AEAI during these campaigns. Conclusion and application of results: This study showed that aqueous extracts are promising and could be an effective and cheap formulation for the biological control of black pod disease. They have to be applied twice in a month at the dose of 16.67 g/l. Keywords : Black pod disease, biological control, plants extracts, RidomilR, neem, yellow oleander.

Cascabela thevetia (L.) Lippold is a garden ornamental in northern Australia and two biotypes, the peach and the yellow, are recognised. In some areas it has naturalised and now has environmental and economic effects. As part of a broader research program into the ecology of C. thevetia, a field study was undertaken in northern Queensland to quantify seed fall and seed predation (by avian wildlife) of the peach biotype. The amount of twigging caused by birds while they fed on the seeds and the level of litter production were also recorded. Seed fall, seed predation, twigging and litter production occurred in all months of the year. Seed fall increased slowly over late spring and summer before peaking in mid- to late autumn (April–May) and then declining until October. Mean (± s.e.m.) estimated total annual seed fall was 19140 ± 2880 and 17030 ± 2930 seeds ha–1 in the first and second years respectively. Seed predation by birds was substantial, with 57% of all seeds predated. Birds also chewed an average of 600 twigs ha–1 year–1. Litter production varied from 430 to 950 kg dry weight (DW) ha–1 month–1. In total, 7900 ± 640 and 7390 ± 1420 kg (DW) litter was produced during the first and second years respectively. Although seed production of C. thevetia is less than a lot of other rangeland weeds, seed predation by birds further reduces the number of seeds entering the soil seed bank. The stem damage that occurred in conjunction with seed predation contributed to overall litter production and warrants further investigation in terms of its effect on plant growth.

Background Acute poisoning is a major public health issue in many parts of the world. The epidemiology and the mortality rate is higher in low and middle income countries, including Sri Lanka. The aim of this study was to provide details about the epidemiology of acute poisoning in a rural Sri Lankan district and to identify the changing patterns and epidemiology of poisoning. Methods A prospective study was conducted from September 2008 to January 2010 in all hospitals with inpatient facilities in Anuradhapura district of North Central Province of Sri Lanka. Acute poisoning data was extracted from patient charts. Selected data were compared to the data collected from a 2005 study in 28 hospitals. Results There were 3813 poisoned patients admitted to the hospitals in the Anuradhapura district over 17 months. The annual population incidence was 447 poisoning cases per 100,000 population. The total number of male and female patients was approximately similar, but the age distribution differed by gender. There was a very high incidence of poisoning in females aged 15–19, with an estimated cumulative incidence of 6% over these five years. Although, pesticides are still the most common type of poison, medicinal drug poisonings are now 21% of the total and have increased 1.6 fold since 2005. Conclusions Acute poisoning remains a major public health problem in rural Sri Lanka and pesticide poisoning remains the most important poison. However, cases of medicinal drug poisoning have recently dramatically increased. Youth in these rural communities remain very vulnerable to acute poisoning and the problem is so common that school-based primary prevention programs may be worthwhile. Lalith Senarathna, Shaluka F Jayamanna, Patrick J Kelly, Nick A Buckley,michael J Dibley, Andrew H Dawson. These authors contributed equally to this work.

The present study was designed to evaluate relative contribution of different polyphenols (total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols) and their antioxidants activities in aqueous extracts of different parts of some plants; Argemone mexicana, Datura metel, Calotropis procera, Thevetia peruviana, and Cannabis sativa. The antioxidants (total phenolics, flavonoids, flavones) were determined by chemical methods. The antioxidant capacities of these extracts were evaluated by FRAP assay. The results demonstrated that phenolic content was maximally present in leaves of T. peruviana. This plant exhibited minimum phenolic content in its flower as compared to other plants. The flower of D. metel contained maximum phenolic content. The flavonoids were present in highest quantity in leaves of C. procera while T. peruviana flowers showed maximum flavonoid content. The fruits of C. sativa contained maximum quantity of flavonoid as compared to other plants tested. The flower extract of C. sativa possessed highest FRAP value followed by A. mexicana and fruit of C. procera. The values of ratios of different polyphenolic compounds present in plant extracts indicated that flower of D. metel contained maximum total flavonoids and minimum phenolics. These results suggested that levels of total phenolics, flavonoids and their FRAP indices exhibited specificity to different plants and their parts.

Search for lesser known crops or plant species with potential for human food, animal feed, and medicine or as bio-fuel has continued to receive greater attention in recent times due to increasing costs of food, fuel prices and climatic change. Thevetia peruviana Pers. K.Schum (Yellow Oleander), family Apocynaceae is one out of 250,000 species of plant endowed with seed oil, proteins and biologically active principles which can be harnessed for food, bio-fuel and medicinal purposes in Kenya. However its utilization has been hampered by the coexistence of the oil, proteins and the biologically active principles in the seed kernels of the plant. Phyto-chemical screening for biologically active principles was done by solvent extraction, thin layer chromatography (TLC) for detection of the biologically active principles and Gas Chromatography (GC) for fatty acid determination. Extracts of the biologically active principles were obtained from fermented and non fermented samples from mature T. peruviana plants, young germinated seedlings and tissue cultured materials. Authentic sample for TLC of peruvoside was bought from SIGMA-ALDRICH Inc. of United States of America. The plant species has high potential for production of seed oil, pharmacologically active principles and proteins especially in the dry land areas along the Lake Victoria basin region in Kenya.

An albino strain of non-fasted male and female Norway rats, Rattus norvegicus, weighing 120 to 125 g were treated with Thevetia peruviana by being fed a bait containing ground kernels from the plant or administered a crude, aqueous extracts (fresh or aged) of the kernels by intraperitoneal injection or intubation. A control group of rats received non-poisoned bait or distilled water by intraperitoneal injection or intubation. No mortality or abnormal behavioral or physiological changes were observed among the control group or those treated with aged crude aqueous extract. Rats that consumed bait containing lethal doses of Thevetia peruvania exhibited poisoning symptoms within 30 minutes and later died between 2 to 30 h after treatment. Poisoning symptoms included pilomotor and tail erection, ataxia, limb paralysis, and paroxysmal tachycardia. Diarrhea and diuresis were evident. Poisoned rats were easily startled, became aggressive on touch and exhibited coprophagic tendencies.

C-nor-D-homo-homologues of cannogenin and uzarigenin glycosides were isolated along with known cardenolide glycosides from the frozen fresh leaves of Thevetia neriifolia. A bisdesmosidic tetraoside of 3 beta,14,21-trihydroxy-5 beta,14 beta-pregnan-20-one was also obtained from the polar fraction and the structure established.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the cytotoxic organic extracts of the wood of Thevetia ahouia (Apocyanaceae) led to the isolation of three cardenolide glycosides, neriifolin, 3′-O-methylevomonoside and 2′-acetyl-neriifolin [1–3]. These agents exhibited a distinctive pattern of differential cytotoxicity in the National Cancer Institute's human disease-oriented 60-cell line tumour screening panel, which suggests that follow-up in vivo xenograft evaluations may be warranted. These patterns may be useful in future dereplication studies of extracts potentially containing this class of compound.

The leaf and bark of Thevetia peruviana (Family: Apocynaceae) plant was administered for 24 h to the freshwater fish Catla catla (Hamilton) to evaluate their piscicidal activity in laboratory and cemented pond condition.The LC0 values of lef and bark extracts of different solvents (i.e., acetone, diethyl ether, ethyl alcohol, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride) of this plant to fish Catla catla were determined. The LC50 values of acetone leaf extract of Thevetia peruviana plant is 88.80 mg/L (24h) in laboratory condition and 529.38 mg/L (24h) in cemented pond condition; acetone bark extract of this plant is 99.43 mg/L (24h) in laboratory condition and 591.78 mg/L (24h) in cemented pond condition against freshwater fish Catla catla. Similar trend was also observed in case of other solvent (i.e., diethyl ether, ethyl alcohol, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride) of leaf and bark extracts of Thevetia peruviana plant against freshwater fish Catla catla in laboratory and cemented pond conditions. The acetone leaf and bark extract of this plant was very effective in comparison to other solvent extract in both the conditions. So, the biochemical analysis is taken only acetone leaf and bark extract of Thevetia peruviana plant in laboratory condition.Exposure of sub-lethal doses (40% and 80% of LC,) of acetone leaf and bark extract of this plant over 24 h caused significant (P0.05) alterations in total protein, free amino acids, DNARNA, protease and acid and alkaline phosphatase activity in muscle, liver and gonadal tissues of fish Catla catla in laboratory condition.

Se presenta la descripción anatómica macroscópica y microscópica de la madera de 5 especies procedentes de Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo: Drypetes lateriflora (Euphorbiaceae ), Exothea diphylla (Sapindaceae ), Myrcianthes fragrans var. fragrans (Myrtaceae ), Diospyros nicaraguensis (Ebenaceae) y Thevetia gaumeri (Apocynaceae). De cada especie se recolectó un árbol del cual se obtuvieron muestras de 15 X 7 X 1 cm con las que se hizo el estudio macroscópico y cubos de 2 x 2 cm de los que se obtuvieron .preparaciones fijas de cortes y material disociado para el estudio microscópico. A los elementos mensurables se les hizo un análisis estadístico y se consideró el valor de la media para su clasificación el cual se incluye junto con los valores mínimo y máximo de cada descripción. Se proporciona un mapa del lugar de recolección, un cuadro y fotografías de la estructura microscópica de las especies.

Six cell suspension cultures established from different organs of Thevetia peruviana were initiated under various growth conditions. Even after two years of subculture, cardenolides proved to be present in all the strains. The cardenolide content varied from one strain to another according to the nature of the original explant and was always lower in comparison with that of the seeds of the original plant. Kinetic studies showed that the cardenolide content varied over a complete cycle of culture.

A new pentacyclic triterpene 1 has been isolated from the fresh, uncrushed leaves of Thevetia neriifolia along with a cardenolide, 3β-0-(α-L-thevetose)-3β, 14β-dihydroxy- 14(13→12)-abeo-5β,12β,14β-carda-13(18),20(22)-dienolide [2]. The structures of 1 and 2 have been elucidated through derailed 1D and 2D nmr studies

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI(+)-MS/MS) procedure was developed and validated for the identification and quantification of thevetin B and further cardiac glycosides in human serum. The seeds of Yellow Oleander (Thevetia peruviana) contain cardiac glycosides that can cause serious intoxication. A mixture of six thevetia glycosides was extracted from these seeds and characterized. Thevetin B, isolated and efficiently purified from that mixture, is the main component and can be used as evidence. Solid phase extraction (SPE) proved to be an effective sample preparation method. Digoxin-d3 was used as the internal standard. Although ion suppression occurs, the limit of detection (LOD) is 0.27 ng/ml serum for thevetin B. Recovery is higher than 94%, and accuracy and precision were proficient. Method refinement was carried out with regard to developing a general screening method for cardiac glycosides. The assay is linear over the range of 0.5-8 ng/ml serum. Finally, the method was applied to a case of thevetia seed ingestion.

Phytochemical studies on the stem bark of Thevetia peruviana resulted in the isolation of six new ursane-type triterpenes, named peruvianursenyl acetate A, peruvianursenyl acetate B, isolupenyl acetate, peruvianursenyl acetate C, lupedienyl acetate and peruvianursenyl glucoside along with two known triterpenoids, namely alpha-amyrin acetate and lupeol acetate. The structures of the new phytoconstituents have been established as 23--nor methyl urs-12-en-4 alpha-ethylenic-18 alpha-H-3 beta-yl acetate, urs-5.21-dien-18 alpha-H-3 beta-yl acetate, lup-20 (29)-en-3 alpha-yl acetate, urs-12 en-18 alpha-H-3 beta-yl acetate, lup-5,20 (29)-dien-3 beta-yl acetate, and urs-12-en-18 alpha-H-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, respectively.

Background Cardiac toxicity due to ingestion of oleander plant seeds in Sri Lanka and some other South Asian countries is very common. At present symptomatic oleander seed poisoning carries a mortality of 10% in Sri Lanka and treatment of yellow oleander poisoning is limited to gastric decontamination and atropine administration. The only proven effective antidote is digoxin antibodies but these are not available for routine use because of the high cost. The main objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of a new and inexpensive antidote for patients with life threatening arrhythmias due oleander poisoning. Method/design We set up a randomised double blind clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of Fructose 1, 6 diphosphate (FDP) in acute yellow oleander poisoning patients admitted to the adult medical wards of a tertiary hospital in Sri Lanka. Patients will be initially resuscitated following the national guidelines and eligible patients will be randomised to receive either FDP or an equal amount of normal saline. The primary outcome measure for this study is the sustained reversion to sinus rhythm with a heart rate greater than 50/min within 2 hours of completion of FDP/placebo bolus. Secondary outcomes include death, reversal of hyperkalaemia on the 6, 12, 18 and 24 hour samples and maintenance of sinus rhythm on the holter monitor. Analysis will be on intention-to-treat. Discussion This trial will provide information on the effectiveness of FDP in yellow oleander poisoning. If FDP is effective in cardiac glycoside toxicity, it would provide substantial benefit to the patients in rural Asia. The drug is inexpensive and thus could be made available at primary care hospitals if proven to be effective. Trial Registration Current Controlled trial ISRCTN71018309

When I began studying clinical toxicology in 1981, the issue of gastrointestinal decontamination after acute ingestion seemed pretty well settled: “universal antidote,” apomorphine and salt–water emesis were no longer used [1, 2]; and I was taught that barring a specific contraindication, the awake patient was given syrup of ipecac to induce emesis, and the drowsy or uncooperative patient was lavaged [3]. After gastric emptying, everyone received activated charcoal (AC). The only controversy seemed to be over whether one should add a cathartic to speed gastrointestinal transit [4]. Within a few years, my comfortable assumptions were upset by several prospective randomized trials that cast doubt on the value of gastric emptying prior to AC [5–8]. Merigian even challenged the ritual of routine oral AC when he assigned a subgroup of asymptomatic overdose patients to observation without charcoal and found no difference in outcome [8]. At about the same time, case reports of adverse outcomes in patients given AC began to appear [9–12]. (Ironically, when reviewing the literature in preparation for the present article, I found skepticism about gastrointestinal decontamination dating back to the 1940s. As summarized by Matthew [13], Harstad and Danish colleagues reported in 1942 that relatively little phenobarbital was recovered by lavage even shortly after overdose [14] and this, along with their finding of particles of charcoal in the lungs of patients who died, led them to call for the abandonment of gastric lavage for poisoning.) In recent years, my colleagues and I have continued to debate the value of various methods of gastric decontamination and the role and risks of activated charcoal, and it is clear to me that the issue remains muddy. Some have taken a firm stand that no treatment should be recommended that is not supported by evidence from a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Position statements published jointly by the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and the European Association of Poison Centres and Clinical Toxicologists have adopted a generally conservative view (i.e., lacking evidence, these procedures should not be used routinely) [15–18]. Others have argued that quality RCTs are few and flawed and that we may never have all the evidence we need to guide management of every case. A number of thorough and thoughtful reviews and editorials have summarized the literature and have attempted to provide guidance for the selected use of gastric emptying or activated charcoal [19–23]. In this brief review, I will attempt to answer the following questions about activated charcoal: what is it and what does it bind to? What do animal studies and human volunteer studies reveal about its efficacy in simulated overdose? What evidence is there from case reports and controlled trials for its benefit in humans? What are the potential risks of administering activated charcoal? And finally, how can we put our knowledge about charcoal to use in managing specific patients? Project not funded by any external sources

International audience; Sugar feeding by male mosquitoes is critical for their success in mating competition. However, the facets of sugar source finding under natural conditions remain unknown. Here, evidence obtained in Western Burkina Faso indicated that the distribution of An. gambiae s.s. (M and S molecular forms) males across different peri-domestic habitats is dependent on the availability of potential sugar sources from which they obtain more favorable sites for feeding or resting. Among field-collected anophelines, a higher proportion of specimens containing fructose were found on flowering Mangifera indica (Anacardiaceae), Dolonix regia (Fabaceae), Thevetia neriifolia (Apocynaceae), Senna siamea, and Cassia sieberiana (both Fabaceae) compared to that recorded on other nearby plants, suggesting that some plants are favored for use as a sugar source over others. Y-tube olfactometer assays with newly-emerged An. gambiae s.s. exposed to odors from individual plants and some combinations thereof showed that males use odor cues to guide their preference. The number of sugar-positive males was variable in a no-choice cage assay, consistent with the olfactory response patterns towards corresponding odor stimuli. These experiments provide the first evidence both in field and laboratory conditions for previously unstudied interactions between males of An. gambiae and natural sugar sources.

Thevetia peruvianaseeds contain glucosides of neriifolin, acetylneriifolin and thevetin. Seed oil distillates ofThevetia peruvianahave been found to contain anti-bacterial activity. In the persent work, the fresh flowers ofThevetia peruvianawas subjected to phytochemical studies. The results of the study showed that the flowers contain quercetin, kaempferol and quercetin-7-o-galactoside. The structure of the isolated compound was characterized by UV,1H NMR and13C NMR spectra. The anti-inflammatory character of the isolated compound was tested byin vitromethod and the results of the study revealed that the isolated compound showed a biphasic property.

Clinico-pathological features of yellow oleander ( Thevetia peruviana) poisoning in India are described. Clinical features included vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness and dilated pupil. Pulse was rapid, weak and irregular. Varying degrees of heart block were also present. Jaundice and renal failure have been observed in the present study. Post mortem showed renal tubular necrosis with obliteration of the liver lumen showed focal necrosis around central vein, patchy hemorrhages and dilation of central veins.

A new cardenolide, neriifoside, 3β- O -(α- l -acofriosy])-14β-hydroxy-5α-carda-20:22-enolide has been isolated from the fresh, uncrushed leaves of Thevetia neriifolia , along with the cardenolide peruvoside and lupeol acetate previously reported from the seeds and bark of this plant, respectively. A steroid 4,16-pregnadien-12β-hydroxy-3,20-dione and four pentacyclic triterpenes: oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, α-amyrin acetate and β-amyrin acetate, hitherto unreported from this source, have also been isolated. These structures have been elucidated through detailed 1D and 2D NMR studies.

Following the investigation of the constituents from the leaves of Thevetia neriifolia cultivated in Kumamoto, Japan, the leaves of the same species collected in Singapore were examined, and C-nor- d -homocardenolide glycosides were obtained as in the preceding study, along with other common glycosides. α- l -Rhamnosides of digitoxigenin, cannogenin and thevetiogenin, and glycosides of uzarigenin were isolated from the leaves. Two 18,20-epxoy-derivatives of digitoxigenin α- l -thevetoside were isolated and the C-20 configurations are discussed.

Along with known digitoxigenin α- l -thevetoside and α- l -acofrioside, the corresponding glycosides of a C -nor- d -homocardenolide were isolated from the air-dried leaves of Thevetia neriifolia and their structures determined by spectral and chemical methods. Triosides of the C -nor- d -homo-cardenolide were obtained from the methanol extract of the fresh leaves.

The chemical composition of a volatile concentrate of the flowers of Thevetia peruviana and Allamanda cathartica were analyzed by GC/MS. The main volatile components identified in the flowers of T. peruviana were palmitic acid (22.9%), (E)-β-ionone (17.2%) and 1,8-cineole (10.6%). The major volatiles of the flowers of A. cathartica were linalool (39.3%), dendrolasin (20.2%) and β-caryophyllene (15.7%).

A comparative study of the toxic effects of extracts from stem bark, leaf and seed kernel of yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana) in albino rats was carried out. Male and female albino rats weighing 150–200 g were administered crude aqueous extracts of stem bark, leaf and seed kernel of the plant by intraperitoneal injection or exposed to baits prepared with the dry extracts of the plant parts. The control groups either received distilled water by injection, or were fed non-poisoned baits. Extracts from all the plant parts were toxic, and produced marked poisoning symptoms that culminated in death. Poisoning symptoms manifested earlier (10 min after treatment) in rats administered aqueous kernel extracts intraperitoneally as against 45 min to several hours in rats poisoned by ingestion of toxicant. Poisoning symptoms indicated serious cardiac, neuromotor and mental malfunctioning, and manifested as tachycardia, arrhythmia, paralysis, ataxia and disorientation. The lethal dose was lowest (507 mg/kg) with the concentrated aqueous kernel extract (CAKE), and highest (5700 mg/kg) with the bait formulated using 40% of the kernel meal - FKM(B). Rats treated by injection with aqueous kernel extract (AKE) died faster within 10 h, than those with the aqueous leaf or stem bark extracts that died after 260 h. No mortality or abnormal behavioural changes were observed among animals in the control groups. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Mortality to fish Channa punctatus caused by the latices of four species of terrestrial plants belonging to family Euphorbiaceae and Apocynaceae have been reported. It was found that extremely dilute aqueous solutions of the latex were effective in killing the fishes. The ranking of toxicity of four plants was Nerium indicum > Euphorbia royleana > Thevetia peruviana > Jatropha gossypifolia. It has been suggested that these plant products cannot be used directly in freshwater ecosystem unless their detailed toxicity has been studied on the beneficial freshwater animals. Die akute Toxizitat von Pestiziden pflanzlichen Ursprunges fur den Suswasserfisch Channa punctatus Berichtet wird uber die Mortalitat von Channa punctatus, verursacht durch die Safte aus vier terrestrischen Pflanzenarten der Familien Euphorbiaceae und Apocynaceae. Selbst extreme wassrige Verdunnungen der Pflanzensafte erwiesen sich als effektiv toxisch fur die Fischart. Die Reihenfolge der Toxizitat ergibt sich zu Nerium indicum > Euphorbia royleana > Thevetia peruviana > Jatropha gossypifolia. Es wird vorgeschlagen, diese pflanzlichen Produkte nicht in Suswassersystemen anzuwenden, bevor nicht ihre Toxizitat gegen Suswasserorganismen naher untersucht ist.

Pharmacognostical studies were carried out on the stem bark of Thevetia neriifolia Juss. which showed rhytidoma with suberized cork, cortex, starch grains, prism of calcium oxalate crystals, lignified stone cells, secondary phloem with medullary rays. Physicochemical parameters such as water and alcohol soluble extractive values were found to be 20 % and 21.6 % w/w for the stem bark. The total ash value, acid insoluble ash and water soluble ash were found to be 7 %, 1.6 % and 2.5 % w/w respectively. The loss on drying (12 % w/w) was also determined.

Nerium oleander (common oleander) and Thevetia peruviana (yellow oleander) are potentially lethal plants after ingestion. Poisoning by these plants is a common toxicological emergency in tropical and subtropical parts of the world and intentional self-harm using T. peruviana is prevalent in South Asian countries, especially India and Sri Lanka. All parts of these plants are toxic, and contain a variety of cardiac glycosides including neriifolin, thevetin A, thevetin B, and oleandrin. Ingestion of either oleander results in nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, dysrhythmias, and hyperkalemia. In most cases, clinical management of poisoning by either N. oleander or T. peruviana involves administration of activated charcoal and supportive care. Digoxin specific Fab fragments are an effective treatment of acute intoxication by either species. However, where limited economic resources restrict the use of such Fab fragments, treatment of severely poisoned patients is difficult. Data from case reports and clinical studies were reviewed to identify treatments supported by evidence for the management of poisoning by N. oleander and T. peruviana.

A screening study for TRAIL resistance-overcoming activity was carried out, and activity-guided fractionations of Thevetia peruviana and Sapindus emarginatus led to the isolation of four cardenolide glycosides (1-4) and four triterpenoid saponins (5-8), respectively. In particular, cardenolide glycosides (1 and 2) from T. peruviana were shown to have a significant reversal effect on TRAIL resistance in human gastric adenocarcinoma cells, and real-time PCR showed that thevefolin (2) enhanced mRNA expression of death receptor 4 (DR4) and DR5. In addition, 1H and 13C NMR characterizations are shown for thevefolin (2) for the first time.

A comparative study of the leaf epidermis of 45 West African Apocynaceous taxa using the light microscope has been undertaken. Variations observed in anticlinal cell wall pattern, trichomes, size, distribution, frequency, morphology and ontogeny of the stomatal complex are discussed. Aborted stomata and single guard-celles stomata are reported in Allamanda and Thevetia for the first time. Eine vergleichende Studie zur Blattepidermis von 45 westafrikanischen Taxa der Apocynaceae unter Einsatz des Lichtmikroskops wird vorgelegt. Variationen, beobachtet im antiklinalen Zellwandmuster, bei den Trichomen, in der Grose, der Verteilung, Haufigkeit, Morphologie und Ontogenie werden diskutiert. Abgetrennte Stomata und vereinzelte Randzellen Stomata werden erstmals fur Allamanda und Thevetia genannt.

BackgroundThe case-fatality for intentional self-poisoning in the rural developing world is 10–50-fold higher than that in industrialised countries, mostly because of the use of highly toxic pesticides and plants. We therefore aimed to assess whether routine treatment with multiple-dose activated charcoal, to interrupt enterovascular or enterohepatic circulations, offers benefit compared with no charcoal in such an environment.MethodsWe did an open-label, parallel group, randomised, controlled trial of six 50 g doses of activated charcoal at 4-h intervals versus no charcoal versus one 50 g dose of activated charcoal in three Sri Lankan hospitals. 4632 patients were randomised to receive no charcoal (n=1554), one dose of charcoal (n=1545), or six doses of charcoal (n=1533); outcomes were available for 4629 patients. 2338 (51%) individuals had ingested pesticides, whereas 1647 (36%) had ingested yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana) seeds. Mortality was the primary outcome measure. Analysis was by intention to treat. The trial is registered with controlled-trials.com as ISRCTN02920054.FindingsMortality did not differ between the groups. 97 (6·3%) of 1531 participants in the multiple-dose group died, compared with 105 (6·8%) of 1554 in the no charcoal group (adjusted odds ratio 0·96, 95% CI 0·70–1·33). No differences were noted for patients who took particular poisons, were severely ill on admission, or who presented early.InterpretationWe cannot recommend the routine use of multiple-dose activated charcoal in rural Asia Pacific; although further studies of early charcoal administration might be useful, effective affordable treatments are urgently needed.