Nerium oleander
Nerium oleander, commonly known as oleander, is a striking evergreen shrub celebrated for its vibrant, bell-shaped flowers. While widely used in landscaping for its resilience and beauty, it is highly toxic if ingested. This potent plant contains cardiac glycosides, requiring careful handling and respect in medicinal contexts.
- Scientific name: Nerium oleander
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized into the order Gentianales and the family Apocynaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Nerium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Apocynaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Nerium | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific presence across various regions of Southwestern Europe. Within this area, it can be found growing in the Baleares. It also inhabits the island of Corse and extends its reach into France. Additionally, its distribution includes the coastal areas of Portugal. Finally, the species is documented to grow in Sardegna.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Albania | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Sicilia | WCVP |
Chemicals
Nerium oleander has 43 reported phytochemicals identified across 50 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include cardiac glycosides, oleandrin, cardenolides, flavonoids, neritaloside.
- Total chemicals
- 43
- Scientific sources
- 50
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cardiac glycosides | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| oleandrin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cardenolides | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neritaloside | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 12beta-hydroxypregna-4,6,16-triene-3,20-dione | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 16beta,17beta-epoxy-12beta-hydroxypregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dione | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 20R-hydroxypregna-4,6-diene-3,12-dione | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 20S,21-dihydroxypregna-4,6-diene-3,12-dione | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 20beta,28-epoxy-28alpha-methoxytaraxasteran-3beta-ol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Nerium oleander has 8 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, Anticancer, Antileukemic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Cytotoxic | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antileukemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardiotonic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Toxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Nerium oleander has 21 reported medicinal uses identified across 23 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, COVID-19, Cardiovascular diseases, Cervical cancer, Gastric Cancer.
- Total uses
- 21
- Scientific sources
- 23
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| COVID-19 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardiovascular diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cervical cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gastric Cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MRSA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mycobacterium smegmatis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| RAW 264.7 cells | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| atherosclerosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| burns | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |