Nerium Indicum Mill Research Articles

Evaluation of In-vitro Anthelmintic activity of Nerium indicum Mill root extracts.

Article history Intestinal worms affect a host of individuals resulting in malnutrition, stunted growth, intellectual retardation and cognitive deficits. Nerium indicum Mill belonging to the family Apocynaceae is a wild plant known kaner in Hindi as well as exile tree, Indian oleander. Phytochemical study of the plant root extracts reveals to contain various phytoconstituents like glycosides, flavonoids, carbohydrates, tannins and steroids. Hence roots of the plant was collected, authenticated, powdered and extracted with various solvents by hot extraction to obtain petroleum ether, chloroform, & ethanol extracts and also cold maceration to obtain ethanol extract and evaluated for its anthelmintic activity on adult Indian earthworms (Pheritima posthuma), which have anatomical and physiological resemblance with the intestinal roundworms parasites of human beings. Four concentrations (10, 30, 50 and 100mg/ml) of various extracts were tested and results were expressed in terms of time for paralysis and time for death of worms. Albendazole was used as reference standard. Dose dependent activity was observed in all plant extracts; although at all concentration level Ethanolic extract exhibited more activity in terms of time taken for paralysis as well as death of worms in a less time as compared to other extracts. All extracts shows standard comparable activity at 50mg/ml and 100mg/ml concentration. Thus extracts exhibited anthelmintic activity and could be an inexpensive and readily available source of anthelmintic treatment.

Study on the Reference Plants for the Assessment of Radiation Impact on Non-Human Species in Southwest of China

This paper introduces the researches on terrestrial reference plants in a area of southwest of China, including selection of candidate reference plantsH the description of geometric characteristics, and the transfer factors of 90 Sr, 137 Cs, and Pu in plants. The plant species involved are 2 trees (Firmiana simplex, Cryptomeria fourtunei), 2 shrubs (Nerium indicum Mill, Vitex negundo Linn)�H and 1 herb (Artemisia umbrosa). Expected values of the soil-to-plant transfer factors are provided. Further researches on radiation protection of non-human species in China are discussed.

Kanzawa spider mites acquire enemy-free space on a detrimental host plant, oleander

Studies have proposed that predators of herbivores suffer significant fitness losses from the defense chemicals of host plants, and that herbivores adapted to these chemicals may experience reduced predation risk when residing on such plant species. We examined the effects of oleander, Nerium indicum Mill. (Apocynaceae), a host plant of the spider mite, Tetranychus kanzawai Kishida (Acari: Tetranychidae), on their prime predator, Neoseiulus womersleyi (Schicha) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), and tested the hypothesis that this host plant provides enemy-free space. At the study sites, T. kanzawai occurred on oleander shrubs; in contrast, although N. womersleyi was present in the area, no individuals were found on oleander. Tetranychus kanzawai feeding on oleander negatively affected the settlement, development, and egg production of N. womersleyi. The lower egg production was a result of both the direct effects of oleander and the indirect effects via T. kanzawai. Previous studies showed that the fitness of T. kanzawai in the presence of N. womersleyi was lower than that in the absence of the predator, and lower on oleander than on other palatable host plant species in the absence of predators. Our findings suggest that N. womersleyi may not be able to invade T. kanzawai patches on oleander shrubs, which results in the fitness of T. kanzawai being higher on oleander than on other host plant species in the same area when N. womersleyi is present. This supports the hypothesis that T. kanzawai acquires enemy-free space on oleander using the direct and indirect adverse effects of oleander on their predators as major defense mechanisms.

Nematicidal Cardenolides from Nerium indicumMill.

Three nematicidal cardenolides were obtained from the AcOEt extract of Nerium indicum Mill. by bioassay-guided fractionation. They include a new compound, 3beta-O-(beta-D-diginosyl)-14,15alpha-dihydroxy-5alpha-card-20(22)-enolide (1), and two known compounds, uzarigenin (2) and cardenolide N-1 (3). The median lethal concentrations (LC(50)) of compounds 1-3 against the nematodes Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, Panagrellus redivivus, and Caenorhabditis elegans at 72 h were 103.3, 49.0, and 45.4 mg l(-1), 257.0, 62.7, and 177.8 mg l(-1), and 242.9, 29.1, and 41.7 mg l(-1), respectively. This is the first report about the nematicidal activity of cardenolides.

Minimisation of N2O emissions from a plant-soil system under landfill leachate irrigation

The irrigation of a plant-soil system with landfill leachate should promote the formation of N2O due to the introduction of organic carbon and mineralized-N and the elevation of the moisture content. Laboratory incubation was performed to minimize N2O emissions from a leachate irrigated plant-soil system by manipulating leachate NH(4)(+)-N loading, moisture content, and soil type. A field investigation, consisting of three plots planted with Cynodon dactylon, Nerium indicum Mill, and Festuca arundinacea Schreb, was then conducted to select plant species. There was almost no difference in N2O emissions between soil moisture contents of 46% and 55% water-filled pore space (WFPS), while a sharp increase occurred at 70% WFPS. N2O fluxes were significantly correlated with leachate NH4(+)-N loading. Amongst the physiochemical characteristics of the selected nine soils, only soil pH was significantly correlated with N2O fluxes. Compared with fertilizers application in other ecosystems, N2O turnover rate from the plant-soil system under leachate irrigation was relatively lower. Therefore, avoiding high NH4(+)-N loadings and excessively wet conditions (<60% WFPS) and cultivating conifer plants of stronger sunlight penetration with less litter deposit on acidic sandy soil could minimize potential N2O emissions under leachate irrigation.

Structure identification of potential compound as selective renal anticancer isolated from Nerium indicum Mill. Leaves

Oleandrin is one of cardenolida compound isolated from an active fraction of Nerium indicum Mill leaves. (fam. Apocynaceae), which have cytotoxic effect on several human cancer cells, and also to normal cells in vitro. Another compound which was potential as renal anticancer has also been isolated from N. indicum. However, its chemical structure has not been discovered. The aim of this study was to identify the potential compound as selective to renal cancer present in the leaves of N. indicum. The potential compound was isolated from the active fraction using Preparative TLC and structure elucidation was done by using spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, MS and NMR). Base on this spectra and by comparison with oleandrin data, it was indicated that the potential compound as Renal anticancer was as 16,17-dehydrodeacetyl-5a-oleandrin. Key word: N.indicum, oleandrin, cytotoxic, renal anticancer, spectroscopic

Cytotoxicity of oleandrin isolated from the leaves of Nerium indicum Mill. on several human cancer cell lines

Finding anticancer drugs from natural resources still proceeds. Oleandrin isolated from Nerium indicum Mill. inhibited the growth of mieloma cell line in vitro better than that of vincristine sulphate. This study was aimed to determine the cytotoxic effect of oleandrin on various human cancer cell lines. Cytotoxic test of oleandrin on seven human cancer cell lines was done by SRB-method. The analysis was conducted by comparing the ID50 of oleandrin with that of doxorubicin and cisplatin as positive controls. This result indicated that oleandrin possessed the best cytotoxic effect on breast cancer (MCF7) with ID50 at 8.85 nM. Keywords : Oleandrin, cytotoxicity, human cancer cells, ID50

Sub chronic toxicity asssay of aqueous extract of the leaves of Nerium indicum Mill. on male white mice (Ratus norvegicus) strain wistar

Aqueous extract of the leaves of Nerium indicum Mill. is traditionally used to treat cancer. The extract has been consumed for relatively a long time, consequently major organs are often intoxicated. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine sub chronic toxicity of the aqueous extract on male mice. Toxic symptoms, major organs intoxicated and haematological changes due to treatment of aqueous extract of the leaves of N. indicum are determined. Twenty male mice (185-250 g, strain wistar) are divided into 4 groups [I, treated with aquadest (3 ml/200 g BW); II, treated with water extract (5%, 3ml/200 g BB); III, treated with water extract (10%, 3 ml/200 g BB); and IV, treated with water extract (20%, 3 ml/200 g BB)]. Toxic symptoms are observed after 3 hours of treatment; body weight, haematological measurement, food intake, urine chemistry, SGPT, ureum, and histopathological pictures are also observed. The results of the study do not show any toxic symptoms, the body weight and food intake of the mice increase (I-IV). There are no major organs intoxicated; however a slight increase of leukocyte (WBC, white blood cell) count is clearly showed by group IV. It is concluded that consuming aqueous extract (20%, the highest concentration) of N. indicum for 30 days does not elicit toxic effect in mice. Any changes occur are still at the normal range. Keywords: Nerium indicum Mill., water extract, toxicity, sub chronic

Multiform biosynthetic pathway of syringyl lignin in angiosperms.

To clarify the pathway for biosynthesis of sinapyl alcohol in angiosperms, tracer experiments using stable isotopes were performed on robinia ( Robinia pseudoacacia L.), oleander ( Nerium indicum Mill.), magnolia ( Magnolia kobus DC.) and Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. Precursors used in the experiment were (13)C- and (2)H ( D)-labeled [8-(13)C, 3-OCD(3)]ferulic acid and [8-(13)C, 3,5-OCD(3)]sinapic acid. The incorporation of labeled precursor into lignin was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the products of derivatization followed by reductive cleavage. Crude extracts of differentiating xylem or stems from these plants were also assayed for 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL; EC 6.2.1.12) activity using sinapic acid and ferulic acid as substrates. In robinia and oleander, 4CL activity toward sinapic acid was detected, and labeled sinapic acids were incorporated into syringyl lignin. These results indicate that robinia and oleander have a pathway that produces sinapyl alcohol from sinapic acid via sinapoyl-CoA. By contrast, in magnolia and Arabidopsis, 4CL activity toward sinapic acid could not be detected, and labeled sinapic acid was not incorporated into lignin. These results suggest that syringyl lignin biosynthesis in angiosperms operates via multiple pathways that depend on the species.

Importance of hedges in improving urban air quality

Roadside hedges planted primarily for aesthetic purposes attenuate noise, improve the micro-climate and effectively reduce particulate pollution. The particulate abatement capacity (PAC) of three commonly grown hedge species, Bougainvillea spectabilis Willd., Durantaplumieri Jacq. and Nerium indicum Mill. was assessed with the help of dustfall sampling jars and by exposing plastic films. The PAC of the three hedge species was in the order D. plumieri > B. spectabilis > N. indicum. Certain hedge characteristics, particularly density of plant canopy and leaf morphological features, appear to influence the PAC. Based on the data generated during this study, a formula has been devised to provide a quick and easy method for a comparative evaluation of the PAC of hedge species.

The cyclitols of thevetia nerifolia and nerium indicum

l-(+)-Bornesitol was isolated from the stems and leaves of Thevetia nerifolia Juss. Dambonitol was isolated from the stems and leaves of Nerium indicum Mill.