Poisonous plants Cardiac glycosides

Numerous plants worldwide contain cardiac glycosides that have been used both therapeutically as herbal formulations and for the purposes of self-poisoning. Details are given in Table 2. 

Poisoning may occur through ingestion and dermal exposure. All parts of the plant contain varying amounts of cardiac glycosides. Concentrations of toxins peak during flowering season, and are found in seeds, stems, roots, and red flowers, in particular. Leaves contain oleandrin. 

FOXGLOVE Digitalis purpurea, L., Family Scrophulariaceae, is a decorative garden plant. The leaves are poisonous due to its content of cardiac glycosides 2-3 g dried or... 

The cardiac glycosides are a group of plant materials arbitrarily so named because of their specific digitalis-like effect on the heart muscle. Their physiological activity is primarily dependent on the nature of the aglycon rather than on the carbohydrate component. For their discovery, we are indebted to studies of medicinal and poisonous plants, especially of... 

Plant extracts containing cardiac glycosides were invariably employed as poisons in the medieval trial by both African and South American natives for the preparation of their lethal arrow and spear poisons for use in fighting as well as hunting. 

Plant toxins which affect contractions of the heart muscle or metabolic respiration processes are associated with acute poisoning in mammals. Two groups of glycosides (cyanogenic glycosides and cardiac glycosides) are present in plants commonly available to grazing animals and are responsible for livestock losses. 

Many of the plants known to contain cardiac or cardiotonic glycosides have long been used as arrow poisons (e.g. Strophanthus) or as heart drugs (e.g. Digitalis). They are used to strengthen a weakened heart and allow it to function more efficiently, though the dosage must be controlled very... 

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