Cardiac glycosides

CARDIAC GLYCOSIDES

  • The main source of cardiac glycosides is from the foxglove family.
  • Their effectiveness in cardiac failure was, described by William Withering in 1775. He published his classic monograph ‘An account of the foxglove and some of its medicinal uses: with practical remarks on dropsy on used by an old woman of Shorpshireand other diseases’ in 1785.
  • Initially kidney was thought to be the target organ
  • The cardiac glycosides are unique in that they not only improve the contractility of the myocardium, but also reduce the heart’s demand for energy and oxygen.
  • These drugs also decease the conduction of certain impulses within the heart and therefore decrease the heart rate.

Source of glycosides

  • Digitalis purpurea or Purple foxglve (leaf) - Digitoxin, Gitoxin, Gitalin
  • Digitalis lanata or White foxglove (leaf) - Digitoxin, Gitoxin, Digoxin
  • Strophanthus kombe (seed) - Strophanthin K
  • Strophanthus gratus (seed) - Strophanthin G (Ouabain)
  • Thevetia neriifolia (nut) - Thevetin
  • Convallaria majalis - Convallotoxin
  • Bufo vulgaris (Toad skin) - Bufotoxin
Last modified: Wednesday, 25 April 2012, 10:48 AM