Aim: To investigate the effect of intraperitoneally single dose treated with Nerium oleander distillate in rats on the serum nitric oxide level. In addition, effect of distillate on the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, catalase and routine biochemical parameters was determined.

Materials and Methods: Totally 20 male Wistar albino rats were used. After 5 rats were served Control (0. hour), single dose 7.5 mL Nerium oleander distillate was injected intraperitoneally to each rats. Before (0. hour) and after administration, blood samples were collected at 2, 4 and 8 hours from heart under anesthesia. Afterward rats were euthanized by cervical dislocation. Serum nitric oxide, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and catalase levels were measured by ELISA reader, biochemical values (Creatine kinase-MB, creatine kinase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, creatinine, uric acid, blood urea nitrogen) were measured by autoanalyzer.

Results: Nerium oleander distillate did not effect (P>0.05) nitric oxide level and decreased (P<0.05) serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels, whereas it increased (P<0.05) catalase level. In addition, Nerium oleander increased (P<0.05) total bilirubin, low density lipoprotein and cholesterol levels at 2, 8 and 8 hours, respectively.

Conclusion: It may be stated that Nerium oleander distillate has potent antioxidative effects and it may be used in the treatment of oxidative damage related situations.