1. Cardiotonics

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

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

4. 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

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

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

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

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

9. 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

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

11. 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.

12. Digitalis 3. Keller- Killiani Test :
Drug powder + 10 ml of 70% alcohol
Boil and filter
Filtrate + 5 ml of water 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

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

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

15. 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)

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

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

18. 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

19. 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 )