Phytochemical Glossary
I created this glossary to compile notes related to common phytochemicals that are good for herbalists and naturalists to know about. I will do my best to add more details and keep it updated.
Cardiac Glycosides
- Cardiac glycosides are a class of organic compounds that increase the output force of the heart and increase its rate of contractions by acting on the cellular sodium-potassium ATPase pump. They are selective steroidal glycosides and are important drugs for the treatment of heart failure and cardiac rhythm disorders. The treatment history from plants containing cardiac glycosides has been quite long. Hundreds of cardiac glycosides have been found in plants such as Scrophulariaceae, Oleaceae, and Liliaceae represented by digitalis. Cardiac glycosides have also been obtained from other sources, e.g., bufadienolide. Cardiac glycosides have been isolated from the skin and the carotid gland of toads. Clinically used cardiac glycoside-based drugs are digoxigenin, digoxin, deacetyl glucoside, and venomous glucosinolate K, which have similar pharmacodynamic characteristics, but different pharmacokinetic properties and drug effects. The intensity, speed of action and duration may vary.
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