Cardiac glycoside is a drug used in the treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF) or cardiac arrhythmia, by inhibiting the Na+ / Ka + / ATP-ase pump. This inhibition increases the amount of Ca++ ions available for contraction and improves cardiac output and reduces distention of the heart.
Cardiac glycosides are extracted from plant material :
- strophantus - ouabaine
- digitalis lanata and digitalis purpurea - digoxin, digitoxin
- scilla maritima - proscillaridine A