ABSTRACT
Thevetia peruviana or yellow oleander, a representative of the Apocynaceae family, is a toxic, tropical, ornamental shrub with yellow flowers and lanceolate shaped leaves. All parts of the plant are toxic, with the highest toxicity in seed kernels containing thevetin and other cardenolides. These cardiotoxic glycosides have digoxin-like activity on heart interfering with the action of Na+/K+ ATPases with inotropic effects. Clinical presentations in self-poisoning incidences are with cardiac dysfunction, hyperkalaemia, electrolyte imbalance, smooth muscle, and neurological toxicity. Specific proven treatments for oleander poisoning include the use of anti-digoxin Fab and activated charcoals as sequestrants to eliminate toxins from blood and gut respectively. The plant has medicinal uses in ethnomedicinal practices. A wide array of phytochemicals present in the plant can act as antibacterial, anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory agents together with reports of vital enzyme inhibitors and novel proteins isolated from the plant. Misleading uses of dietary supplements for weight loss are also a cause of concern. Agriculturally, it is used as a bio-pesticide, insecticide, and fungicide. High seed oil content may result in its use as biodiesel and lubricant. Biotechnological applications for harvesting phytochemical compounds are promising. This chapter discusses the pharmacological studies, toxic responses, traditional and other potential uses of Thevetia peruviana in detail with underlying mechanisms.
