Strophantus gratus seeds are highly toxic. Its toxicity and rapid and sure effect make it an excellent hunting poison. The seeds of Strophantus gratus contain unusually high concentrations of its active principle, acolongifloroside K, which is similar to ouabain in toxicity, but is less potent. The Sarmentosides, however, are highly toxic.

GC-MS characterization of strophantus gratus seeds

GC-MS characterization of stropantus gratus seeds has revealed that the fruit contains cacogenic glycosides and other polyphenols. These polyphenols are present in a high concentration in the mulberry seed, and this evidence supports the existence of a complex structure. Furthermore, the fruit contains a mixture of lipids, sugars, and other compounds, such as glucosides, sterols, and saponins.

The thorny agave is a plant native to tropical Africa and grows in a variety of vegetation zones. It is found in savannas with higher rainfall and grows well in secondary clearings. However, this plant does not tolerate shade, and cannot survive in dense tropical canopies. Its range is extensive, including southern and central Africa. GC-MS characterization of strophantus gratus seeds, comprises five major species.

Cardenolide profile

The seed oil of Strophantus gratus contains high levels of cardiac glycosides, which are pharmaceutically active classes of natural products. Currently, a number of these compounds are used as congestive heart failure (CHF) treatments. They are also found in leaves of Digitalis spp., which has a number of cardenolide derivatives. A review of the cardenolide profile of Strophantus gratus is provided by Rucker (1988).

The cardenolide profile of Strophantus gratus seeds was determined by GC-MS. This analysis identified six major cardiac glycosides present in the seed. The cardenolides in this plant are classified into two groups: bufadienolide, which contains two double bonds in the lactone ring, and cardenolide, which contains one double bond.

The ethylmethanesulfonate-related mutation decreased cannogenol and strophanthidin glycosides, whereas digitoxigenin were increased. The mutation was most likely caused by a single-locus recessive mutation that resulted in a polarity-reduction, but the overall cardenolide profile remained unaffected.

Antidote to strophanthus gratus poison

The herb Strophanthus gratus has been used as a natural arrow poison in Africa. The seeds contain a substance called ouabain, which is bitter and odorless. It is highly toxic and has been used as a poison by Somali tribesmen to lace arrows with. Ouabain darts can bring down a Hippopotamus. The leaves and root are also used to treat gonorrhea and constipation, and the plant’s odor has been described as aphrodisiac.