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.
Keywords: Cardiac glycosides; Ethanolic extract; Mice; Nerium oleander; Subacute toxicity.