THE PHARMACOLOGY OF OLEANDRIN COMPARED WITH g-STROPHANTHIN, DIGOXIN AND DIGITOXIN

Oleandrin is a cardiac glycoside isolated from the leaves of Nerium oleander L. Our experiments indicated that the pharmacology of oleandrin was different from that of g-strophanthin or digitoxin but similar to those of digoxin in some respects. Oleandrin was found to be less cumulative in action and better absorbed than digoxin following an oral administration. Oleandrin showed a stronger biological activity than digoxin and digitoxin. It is suggested that oleandrin may be tried clinically where digoxin or des- lanoside is needed.