Digoxin

Medicinal plants containing cardiac glycosides were known to the ancient Egyptians 3000 years ago, but these agents were used randomly and with variable success until the 18th century, when William Withering an English physician and botanist, published a monograph describing the clinical effects of an extract of the foxglove plant i.e., Digitalis purpurea in 1785, described in detail the indication for use of cardiacglycoside. Digoxin is considered as a prototype cardiac glycoside, combine a steroid nucleus with an unsaturated five membered lactone ring at the 17th position and a series of sugar linked to carbon 3 of nucleus, containing 3 molecules of digitxose linked to digitoxigenin. Digoxin is obtained from the leaves of Digitalis lanata. It makes the heart function more efficient. It increases the force of contraction of heart and slows heart rate, used to treat congestive heart failure, to control ventricular rate in the treatment of supraventricular dysrhythmias including atrial fibrillation and flutter, and to treat paroxysmal atrial tachycardia. Digoxin - specific antibody fragments are used FOR the treatment of known or strongly suspected, life - threatening digoxin or digitoxin overdosage, where measures beyond the discontinuation of digoxin or digitoxin and correction of electrolyte abnormality are felt to be necessary.