digoxin
n.
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. Chemically it is (3β,5β,12β)-3-[(O-2,6-Dideoxy-β-D-ribo-hexopyranosyl-(1->4)-O-2,6-dideoxy-β-D-ribo-hexopyranosyl-(1->4)-2,6-dideoxy-β-D-ribo-hexopyranosyl)oxy]-12,14-dihydroxy-card-20(22)-enolide . 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 .
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