Effects of oleandrin on cardiovascular system

Nerium oleander is a member of plant family Apocynaceae. Almost all of its parts contain cardioactive glycoside oleandrin with anticancer activity. Oleandrin has been subjected to numerous pharmacological studies. Pharmacological effects of oleandrin and other established cardiac glycosides (viz. g-strophanthin, digoxin and digitoxin) have been compared in several studies. Oleandrin primarily produces characteristic effects through Na+,K+-ATPase. Oleandrin is used to treat myocardial insufficiency. Oleander and oleandrin cause toxicity because of the action on cardiovascular tissues. Oleandrin can be used for anticancer therapy for cancerous cell-targeting. The present article is an attempt to outline the historical developments in the area of cardiovascular pharmacology of oleandrin.