a
steroid glycoside, one of the cardiotonic chemical substances which is extracted from the
foxglove. It is a white, crystalline substance (
C41H64O14), and is a 3-substituted triglucoside of a steroid, related structurally to digitalin and digitoxin. It is used as a cardiotonic for treatment of certain heart conditions, such as congestive heart failure. The related compounds
digitalin and
digoxin are also extracted from the foxglove (
Digitalis lanata and
Digitalis purpurea). The class of steroid glycosides having cardiotonic properties are refered to as the
cardiac glycosides.
(Chem.) See: digitalin, digoxin