Grey Milkwood

The leaves and the fruits contain the extremely toxic cardiac glycoside cerberin, as well as tanghinin, deactyltanghin, and neriifolin. Only the mechanism of action for cerberin has been extensively studied, although tanghinin and the other molecules are likely to proceed through a similar mechanism. Cerberin acts by affecting sodium-potassium pumps in cardiac muscle cells via inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPase. In addition to its cardiac effects, symptoms of poisoning include numbness in the upper extremities followed by nausea, vomiting, chest tightness, and dyspnea. Cerberin is believed to be the most important contributor to the toxicity of the plant, although it is found in lower quantities than the other cardiac glycosides. Like the closely related Cerbera odollam, C. manghas seeds have been purposely ingested in suicide attempts. Treatment of poisoning by Cerbera manghas is similar to treatment for digoxin poisoning. Administrations of calcium gluconate in moderation has been shown to be effective at reducing hyperkalemia. More modern medical research indicates that the cerberin found in the plant might have favorable properties for chemotherapy as the cardiac glycoside might be able to selectively induce apoptosis in tumor cells. Goffin's cockatoo is one of the creatures known to eat sea mangos. …