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Citation |
Gaillard Y, Krishnamoorthy A, Bevalot F. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2004; 95(2-3): 123-126. |
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Affiliation |
Laboratory of Analytical Toxicology (LAT), Quai Jean Jaures, 07800 La Voulte sur Rhone, France. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2004, Elsevier Publishing) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
15507323 |
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Abstract |
Cerbera odollam is a tree belonging to the poisonous Apocynaceae family, which includes the yellow and common oleanders. The seeds are excessively toxic, containing cerberin as the main active cardenolide. Cerbera venenifera, a related species found in Madagascar, has a long history as an ordeal poison, and was responsible for the death of 3000 people per year in previous centuries. The odollam tree is responsible for about 50% of the plant poisoning cases and 10% of the total poisoning cases in Kerala, India. It is used both for suicide and homicide. The aim of this retrospective study is to call attention to a powerful toxic plant that is currently completely ignored by western physicians, chemists, analysts and even coroners and forensic toxicologists. |