Cardiotonics

Objectives On completion of this topic, you would be able to know: Cardiotonics and monograph of Digitalis

Known to Unknown Have you ever heard cardiotonicity ? Name one drug which possess Cardiotonic activity

Cardiotonics Definition : Cardiotonics (Greek Kardia – heart) are the drugs which give strength or energy to the activity of the heart Increase the force contraction of Cardiac muscles Stimulate the overall activity of the heart. Eg: Digitalis, Strophanthus, Squill and Arjuna

Digitalis Synonyms : Foxglove leaves Botanical Source : Dried leaves of Digitalis purpurea Family : Scrophulariaceae. Fig.17.1

Digitalis Geographical source: England Germany France North America India Fig.17.2

Digitalis Morphology: General Appearance: Usually broken and crumpled Size : 10 to 40 cm long and 3 to 10 cm wide Shape : Ovate - lanceolate Fig.17.3

Digitalis Margin : Crenate to dentate Apex : Obtuse or rounded Base : Tapering, decurrent Odour : Characteristic Taste : Bitter Fig.17.4

Digitalis Chemical constituents: Digitalis leaves contain : Monosides (Odoroside) Bioside (Glucoverodoxin) Trioside (Digitoxin, Gitoxin and Gitaloxin) Tetrasides or Primary glycosides (Purpurea glycoside A and B) Fig.17.5

Digitalis Chemical constituents: Purpurea glycoside A Digitoxin + Glucose Purpurea glycoside B Gitoxin + Glucose Digitoxin Digitoxigenin + 3 Digitoxose Gitoxin Gitoxingenin + 3 Digitoxose Verodoxin Gitaloxigenin + Digitalose

Digitalis - Chemical tests 1. Baljet Test: Piece of lamina or thick section of leaf + sod.picrate Yellow to orange color 2. Legal Test : Drug + Pyridine + Sod.nitroprusside (Made alkaline) Pink to Red color.

Digitalis 3. Keller- Killiani Test : Drug powder + 10 ml of 70% alcohol Boil and filter Filtrate + 5 ml of water + 0.5 ml of strong soln of Lead Acetate Filter Filtrate + equal volume of Acetic acid Evaporate Extract + Glacial Acetic acid Cool and add 2 drops of Ferric chloride solution Transfer this mixture into a test tube containing 2ml of Sulfuric acid Reddish brown layer acquiring Bluish Green

Digitalis Storage: Digitalis leaves are stored in moisture-proof containers with a moisture content more than 5%. They are protected from light.

Digitalis Uses: Digitalis increases the activity of the Cardiac muscles. Also used in the treatment of Congestive Cardiac failure

Summary In this class we learnt about : Digitalis contains Cardiac glycosides which stimulate the Cardiac muscle. It is widely used in the treatment of Congestive Cardiac Failures (CCF)

Quiz 1. Digitalis belongs to the family a. Scrophulariaceae b. Leguminosae c. Solanaceae d. Rosaceae

Quiz 2. Main chemical constituents present in Digitalis a. Alkaloids b. Tannins c. Glycosides d. Resin

Quiz 3. Which of the following chemical tests cannot be used for the identification of Digitalis a. Keller-Killiani b. Legal c. Baljet d. Borntrager’s

Frequently Asked Questions 1. Give Biological Source, Macroscopy, Chemical constituents and Uses of Digitalis. ( March / April ‘2006) 2. Give two examples for Cardiotonics. ( March / April ‘2005) 3. Write the Biological Source, Family, Chemical constituents and Uses of Digitalis. ( Dec ‘2003 ) 4. Write the BS, Macroscopy, CC and Uses, substituents and adulterants of Digitalis. ( March ‘2003 )