Page 131 - Medicinal Plants_PharmD general
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6. Steroidal or cardiac glycosides:
Definition:
The aglycones of this group have a steroidal structure, and the
glycosides having the ability to exert specific powerful action on the
cardiac muscle.
CD
AB
Steroidal nucleus cyclopentanohydrophenanthrene
Cardiac glycosides occur in small amount in Digitalis purpura, Urginea
maritima and in Strophanthus kombe.
Cardiac glycosides are used medicinally in treatment of congestive heart
failiure to increase the tone and contractility of cardiac muscle. Most of
them exert a diuretic action due to increased renal circulation.
7. Saponin glycosides
Definition:
Saponin glycosides (L. soap) are a group of glycosides share
in varying degrees two common characteristics:
i. They foam (Froth) in an aqueous solution.
ii. They cause haemolysis of red blood cells.
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