Download What Role Does Digitalis Serve in Medicinal

What Role Does Digitalis
Serve in Medicinal
Cardiovascular Treatments?
by Brennan Barkley
Overview

“Digitalis” is often used to describe cardiac
glycosides (Digoxin/Digitoxin)

Other active ingredients: Digitalin, Digitalein,
Digitonin

These compounds are isolated from plants of
the genus Digitalis or “Foxglove”
Structure
Digoxin (C41H64O14)
Where Does it Come From?

The extractions are
taken from the leaves of
the plant

Only green, perfect
leaves picked

Unpleasant odor, bitter
taste
Digitalis purpurea
Early History

The earliest use of cardiac glycosides dates
back to the Roman Empire—red squill

William Withering, 1785—introduced
Digitalis into medicine

Charles Darwin
Modern Use

Used to increase
cardiac contractility
(positive inotrope)

Also used as an
antiarrhythmic agent
Mechanism?
Disadvantages

Digitalis intoxication:


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Nausea
Vomiting
Anorexia
Diarrhea
Excessive amounts can lead to further heart
problems—irregular pulse, convulsions
Xanthopsia—Vincent Van Gogh
In the News

In 2003, Charles
Cullen admitted to
killing nearly forty
hospital patients with
overdoses of
compounds such as
Digoxin
Research

Lin H. Juang, Taiwan—prostate cancer

University of Sevilla, Department of
Pharmacology, Spain—anti-tumor activity

J. Haux Institute of Cancer Research and
Molecular Biology, Norwegian University of
Science and Technology, Trondheim—anticancer research
Conclusions




Glycosides isolated from the genus Digitalis
have been used since the mid 18th century to
treat cardiac afflictions
The extractions are taken from healthy leaves
of the plant
Mechanism of action—affects Na+/K+ pump
Excess amounts of the drug can have severe
side effects or even be fatal
Bibliography
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http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/f/foxglo30
.html
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifi
er=4537
http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic137.htm
http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/Wilson/481/medb
ot/bot2.htm
http://www.yofast.org/d/digitalis/info.html
http://fourfoldhealing.com/2007/12/30/digitalis/
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