Nerium oleander Apocynaceae

Many plants containing cardioactive glycosides are widely grown as ornamentals and must be considered toxic and treated with due care and respect. These include Digitalis species, Convallaria majalis, Helleborus species, and oleander (Nerium oleander, Apocynaceae). 

Widespread Nerium oleander (Apocynaceae), Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry), Arctostaphyhs uva-ursi (Ericaceae), Origanum majorana, Prunella vulgaris,... 

More than 150 ursanes of plant origin are documented (+)-3p-Hydroxyursan-28-oic acid, for example, represents a saturated triterpene found in the leaves of oleander Nerium oleander (Apocynaceae). (-l-)-3p-Hydroxy-12-ursen-28-oic acid is the most prominent derivative this was first isolated from the leaves and berries of bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, and therefore is commonly known as ursolic acid. It is also found in Rhododendron species, in cranberries Vaccinum macrocar-pon (Ericaceae), and in the protective wax coating of apples, pears, prunes, and other fruits. Ursolic acid is reported to have antileukemic and cytotoxic activities it is also used as an emulsifier in pharmaceuticals and foods, and is similar to (-1-)-3p,19a-dihydroxy-12-ursen-28-oic acid (known as pomolic acid) extracted from the wax coats of apples. 

The cardiac glycosides have up to now been isolated from a limited number of plant families Scrophuhridceae (Digitalis lanata), Apocynaceae (Strophanthus gratus, Nerium oleander), Hyacinthaceae (Urginea mar-itima), Convallariaceae (Convallaria majalis), and Ranunculaceae (Adonis vernalis). 

Indole 3-acetic acid (lAA) (17) also is found in certain bacteria. lAA is a virulence factor in the relationships of one bacterium. Pseudomonas syringae pv savastanoi, and its plant hosts, Nerium oleander (oleander, Apocynaceae) and Olea europaea (olive, Oleaceae). Virulence is assessed by the production of tumor-like outgrowths by the plants in response to secretion of phytohormones by the pathogen (Kosuge and Sanger, 1986). The bacterium produces lAA by conversion of L-tryptophan to indoleacetamide (18) and... 

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