ABSTRACT
Toxic Principle and Mechanism of Action Cryptostegia species contain significant quantities of the cardenolides digitoxigenin, oleandrigenin, and cryptograndosides A & B.2-4 Saponins have also been isolated from the plant.3 The high concentration of cardenolides have cardiotoxic and digestive effects much like the milkweeds and other members of the Asclepiadaceae. Similar immunoreactive cardiac glycosides as detectable by radioimmumoassay using antibodies to cardiac glycosides are detectable in other plants including Asclepias, Nerium, Thevetia, Ackocanthera, and Calotropis, species.4
