Pharmacognostical Study and Biological Potential of Nerium Oleander Linn

Medicinal plants are used all over the world in traditional and ethnological medicine. Medicinal plants include various types of plants used in herbal medicine, some of which have medicinal properties. These medicinal plants are rich source of materials that can be used in drug development and synthesis. Sushruta Samhita and Charaka Samhita form the basis of the Ayurvedic medical system, in which thousands of plants are used therapeutically. Nerium oleander is an important medicinal plant in traditional Indian medicine. It is commonly known as Kanner. In Sanskrit medical literature, the plant is described as spicy and poisonous. Two powerful cardiac glycosides, oleanderin and nerinium, are toxic compounds isolated from all parts of the plant. The leaves, stems, bark, roots and flowers of the oleander plant are used to treat various ailments such as heart disease and asthma, corns, epilepsy, cancer, painful catamenial periods, leprosy, malaria, ringworm, upset stomach, and genital disease; and to cause abortions. Nerium Oleander has many secondary metabolites with important pharmacological uses such as flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, cardiac glycosides, etc., which have significant pharmacological applications. This review describes the pharmacognostic study, phytochemical screening and biological potential of Nerium oleander.