Toxicity-guided screening and identification of glycosides in extracts of dry leafless branches of Nerium oleander L. collected in Vietnam
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54939/1859-1043.j.mst.111.2026.88-94Keywords:
Nerium oleander L.; Allium cepa L. model; Toxicity-guided screening; TLC–MS/MS; Cardiac glycosides.Abstract
This study conducted toxicity-guided screening based on the Allium cepa L. root model in combination with chemical analysis. Accordingly, the crude ethanol extract (CEE) from dry leafless branches of oleander (Nerium oleander L.) collected in Vietnam was evaluated using three bioassay methods (A, B, and AB), all of which yielded Toxicity Unit (TU) values indicating low toxicity with a predominant effect on root growth inhibition. Among them, method AB produced the most stable response (EC₅₀ ≈ 433 µg/mL; TU = 0.231) and was therefore selected for subsequent toxicity screening of the derived fractions. Liquid–liquid partitioning of the CEE yielded HF, CF, and EAF fractions, of which the EAF exhibited the highest toxicity (TU = 0.50). The EAF fraction was further subjected to column chromatography, qualitative color reactions, and TLC–MS/MS analysis, leading to the identification of oleandrin and adynerin as the two major cardiac glycosides, with adynerin being predominant, consistent with the toxicity screening results. The integration of rapid root-based toxicity screening and TLC–MS/MS analysis demonstrates a promising approach for toxicity-guided identification of bioactive compounds from Nerium oleander L. extracts, providing a scientific basis for ecological toxin studies as well as plant waste management of this toxic species.
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