All parts of Nerium oleander are toxic, but what you may not know is why.
Nerium
oleander contains cardiac glycosides called Oleandrin and
Neriine. The specific mechanism of action
of these toxins is that theydestroy the concentration gradient of the K+
and Na+ ions in the neuron.
This then
would inhibit nerve cells in the heart from firing and
eventually stop your heart. Side
effects from this would be vomiting and an irregular heart rate.
One may also sweat profusely and have diarrhea. Most of
the time if a human ingested this organism they would vomit
immediately because of the awful taste exhibited by this plant,
however if somebody could not taste it or had a very tough stomach they could be putting themselves
fatally at risk.
Oleandrin
As you can see in this picture of the toxin there are alcohol
groups, a carbonyl group, an 2 ester groups.
This is a great defense technique because
either a predator is going to eat it and die, or throw it up and
then never try it again. The reality is that there have not
been many reported cases of human death to this plant; however
there have been many livestock and pets that have died to this
organism trying to consume it. It is important to remember to
never consume any part of this plant or even burn it because
that will cause one to get the toxins into their body and
potentially die.
