Cerberins

Cerberins are a class of organic compounds that are glycosides of cerberinogen, which is a cardiac glycoside. They are found in the seeds of the *Cerbera odollam* tree, also known as the suicide tree. The primary cerberin is cerberin, and it is also known as neriifolin or thevetin. Cerberins are potent cardiotoxic compounds that act by inhibiting the Na+/K+-ATPase pump in the heart. This inhibition leads to an increase in intracellular sodium and calcium levels, which can cause arrhythmias, bradycardia, and ultimately cardiac arrest.

The toxicity of cerberins is significant, and ingestion of even small amounts of *Cerbera odollam* seeds can be fatal. The seeds contain a high concentration of these toxic glycosides, and accidental ingestion, particularly by children, is a concern in regions where the tree is prevalent. Due to their potent cardiac effects, cerberins have been investigated for potential medicinal uses, particularly in the treatment of heart failure. However, their narrow therapeutic index and high toxicity have limited their clinical application. Research continues to explore ways to isolate or synthesize less toxic derivatives with potential therapeutic benefits. The mechanism of action of cerberins is similar to other cardiac glycosides like digoxin, making them valuable tools for studying cardiac electrophysiology and pharmacology.