cardiac glycoside

pharmacology

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June 22, 2026

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Cardiac glycosides are naturally occurring steroids found in plants, often containing toxic properties that affect the heart. These compounds are formed when a carbohydrate portion, such as glucose or rhamnose, is linked to a steroid molecule called an aglycone. While the aglycone itself has some activity, it is generally less potent than its glycoside form.12

Medicinally, cardiac glycosides are significant. The most well-known are derived from the foxglove plant (Digitalis), including digitoxin and digoxin. These drugs are used to strengthen heart muscle contractions, making them vital in treating conditions like congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Treatment requires careful monitoring due to potential adverse effects from accumulation in the body.3

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cardiovascular drug
Contractions
The cardiac glycosides, substances that occur in the leaves of the foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) and other plants, are the most important group of inotropic agents. Although they have been used for many purposes throughout history, the effectiveness of cardiac glycosides in heart disease was established in…
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The cardiac glycosides, substances that occur in the leaves of the foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) and other plants, are the most important group of inotropic agents. Although they have been used for many purposes throughout history, the effectiveness of cardiac glycosides in heart disease was established in…
Read More

glycoside
…of a group known as cardiac glycosides. Several antibiotics are glycosides (e.g., streptomycin). Saponins, widely distributed in plants, are glycosides that lower the surface tension of water; saponin solutions have been used as cleansing agents.
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…of a group known as cardiac glycosides. Several antibiotics are glycosides (e.g., streptomycin). Saponins, widely distributed in plants, are glycosides that lower the surface tension of water; saponin solutions have been used as cleansing agents.
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steroid
Cardiac glycosides and aglycones
Many species of plants contain toxic (specifically, heart-arresting) steroids of the cardanolide type as glycosides (compounds that contain structural groups derived from sugars) of up to four sugar residues, which may include glucose,
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Many species of plants contain toxic (specifically, heart-arresting) steroids of the cardanolide type as glycosides (compounds that contain structural groups derived from sugars) of up to four sugar residues, which may include glucose,
Read More