Heart medications containing digitalis digitalis. Digitalis - medicinal properties in traditional medicine recipes

Medicinal properties Foxgloves have been known to people for a long time, but have been officially used in medicine since the mid-eighteenth century. It has been noted that the most useful are the leaves of the plant, which contain biologically active substances. Knowledgeable healers use leaves of special varieties of foxglove that are no more than one year old, although the plant itself is perennial.

Since the flower is unpretentious in care, it is very popular among summer residents. In addition, the plant has an aesthetically attractive appearance, so it is often used to decorate flower beds, flower beds, etc. In the city you can find colorful foxgloves growing along the border.

Medicinal properties of foxglove, which are actively used by traditional healers

The many medicinal properties of foxglove are used to relieve problems with cardiovascular system. Due to their positive effects on the heart and blood vessels, the drugs help eliminate concomitant diseases.

What can be cured with foxglove using essential trace elements:

1. For heart failure, digitalis-based medications are regularly prescribed.
2. The manifestations of flickering arrhythmia can be eliminated thanks to the properties of the plant.
3. The plant can be used in the treatment of epilepsy.
4. Put away painful sensations at skin inflammations An ointment based on foxglove will do.
5. For diseases that have infectious nature It is better to use foxglove-based products.
6. It is the main option for eliminating tachycardia and hypertension.
7. Eliminates problems with blood circulation, restoring heart rhythm.

The wide use of the plant is possible due to the presence of digoxin, lanatoside and other biologically active substances in the leaves. active substances.

When growing foxgloves on the site, do not forget to plant other medicinal plants. It could be lemon balm, thyme, and anise.

The principle of using digitalis in folk medicine

For pharmaceutical purposes, only foxglove leaves are exclusively used, but traditional medicine uses more of the plant's resources. From almost any above-ground part, products are prepared that have certain characteristics:

1. Compresses from the plant to relieve skin inflammation.
2. Tinctures for internal use.
3. Rubbing for external use.
4. Ointments and creams based on the plant.
5. Decoctions for administration in the form of drops.

Instructions for using digitalis depend on the type and type of product. More often they use tinctures, which include the entire above-ground part of the plant. This tool used to treat heart problems. Squeeze the juice from the stem, which is used to rub into the chest for hardening or pain.

Digitalis poisoning alarm

For people who want to prepare a remedy based on foxgloves for home use, are wondering whether it is possible to be poisoned by foxglove. The plant is toxic if the dose is exceeded while taking the product or if the amount of the plant is increased at the time of preparation of the tincture or cream.

Foxglove poisoning can manifest itself as follows:

1. Acute pain in the abdominal area, accompanied by diarrhea.
2. The person will feel sick. Vomiting will be frequent and painful.
3. Dull pulse with a feeling of sinking heart.
4. Skin rashes that resemble irritation.
5. Cramps combined with uncontrolled muscle contraction.
6. Hallucinations and memory loss.

Digitalis digitalis can also cause several symptoms of poisoning. It is worth considering that the most critical manifestation may be cardiac or respiratory arrest.

At the slightest symptoms poisoning is worth causing ambulance to get qualified assistance. It is impossible to cope with the problem on your own.

How to prepare medicine from a plant

Digitalis must be properly prepared in the form of a versatile tincture or decoction to benefit the patient:

1. Regular tincture: pour 3 grams of dry plant with 1 glass of boiling water. Leave for 10-15 minutes. Strain the finished tincture and add 1 drop peppermint oil. Take a tablespoon every 3 hours.
2. Boil 25 grams of dry plant and 3 in 3 glasses of water over low heat. Continue this procedure until 1 cup of liquid has evaporated. It is worth straining the broth and adding 25 grams of tincture with aroma. Take 2 tablespoons 1 time per day.
3. Alcohol tincture: pour 25 grams of dry raw material with 60 grams of alcohol. Leave for 1 week and take 10 drops daily.

Foxglove leaf powder can be used to prepare any type of remedy. It’s easy to prepare raw materials: just cut off the above-ground part of the plant; leave in the sun for several days; Grind the dry mass until a fine powder is obtained.

It is advisable to use plants that grow far from the road. You need to wash the plant first.

Pharmaceutical uses of digitalis

Foxglove preparations in pharmacy are made from two types of plants: grandiflora and purple. The leaves are processed in such a way that crystals are obtained. The raw materials are used on a production scale for the manufacture of drops, tablets, capsules and ointments.

Instructions for the use of digitalis preparations must be followed as precisely as possible during the treatment process. When purchasing a drug, you should carefully study the recommendations regarding dosage and methods of use.

In the pharmacy you can find the following preparations that contain digitalis extract:

• leaf powder;
• tablets with dry concentrate: Gitoxin, Digitoxin, Cordigit;
• solutions called Digoxin, Celanide;
• infusion of foxglove leaves on Latin sounds like digitalis tincture.

IN emergency situations use drugs for intravenous administration, valid for half an hour. For chronic diseases, tablets and drops are used. Taking drugs from this pharmaceutical group should be periodic.

Contraindications to the use of digitalis preparations

The medicinal properties of digitalis have a fairly wide range regarding the elimination of heart and vascular diseases. Chemical composition contains many components that can negatively affect the patient's health.

Except self-study If there are contraindications to taking digitalis-containing drugs and products, you should consult a doctor for advice.

Many people call foxglove the “therapist’s scalpel.” Taking such drugs is not always possible, as there are certain contraindications:

1. If the patient has suffered a myocardial infarction.
2. Has sclerosis of the coronary arteries.
3. When the heart rate decreases.
4. If you have tuberculosis or chronic lung diseases.
5. Pregnancy and lactation period.
6. Age limit that applies to children under 12 years of age.
7. Special types of infectious diseases.

If specific changes in heart rhythm are diagnosed, restrictions may be placed on the use of digitalis-based medications.

Foxglove in the garden - video

Instructions for use:

Useful properties of foxglove

Foxglove purpurea is a plant from the Norichinaceae family. Its unofficial names are: forest bell, forest bell, glove grass. Of medical interest is not the flashy flowers of foxglove, but its leaves. The plant is biennial and leaves for therapeutic purposes are collected only in the second year after planting. Foxglove flowers also appear in the second year of the plant's life, in summer. They can be purple, pink, white and yellow.

Digitalis leaves contain cardiac glycosides - substances that tonic the activity of the heart muscle, helping to eliminate arrhythmia: digoxin, lanatosides E, C, A, B, D, digitoxin, gitoxin, acetyldigitoxin, digotonin, purpureaglycosides A, B.

Application

Digoxin and lanatoside C have the greatest activity. Digitalis preparations, which include these glycosides, are used in medical practice for the treatment of chronic and acute forms circulatory failure, tachycardia, hypertension, sclerosis coronary vessels, vice mitral valve, myocardial dystrophy, acute heart failure.

At the same time, the following properties of digitalis are noted: it increases the power of cardiac output, lengthens diastole, reduces the threshold of excitability of the cardiac conduction system, and helps increase the level of calcium in the plasma. All this stabilizes blood circulation in the myocardium and blood flow in the vessels. Digitalis purpurea glycosides accumulate in tissues, and therefore they therapeutic effect long lasting Another property of digitalis has been noted - the saponins and digitonin included in its composition increase the absorption of other glycosides taken by the patient.

The pharmaceutical industry produces the following digitalis preparations: tablets containing dry leaf concentrate, dried leaf powder, leaf infusion, Gitoxin, Digitoxin, Cordigit tablets, Digoxin and Celanide solutions and tablets.

Medicines based on digitalis purpurea Celanide and Digoxin act quickly, and therefore can be used in acute cases. To stop an attack, glycosides are administered intravenously, and for treatment chronic forms for heart diseases, pills are prescribed. After intravenous administration, the cardiotonic properties of digitalis appear within 15-30 minutes, and when administered orally, within 1.5-2 hours after taking the tablets.

Contraindications to the use of digitalis

Foxglove – poisonous plant with a number of serious side effects, therefore, using its leaves on your own at home is not recommended. You can grow foxglove flowers in garden plots only for decorative purposes.

Digitalis preparations can only be taken under the supervision of a cardiologist in a hospital - due to incorrect dosing of the drug, poisoning can occur.

Symptoms of digitalis poisoning: decreased heart rate, shortness of breath, decreased frequency of urination, nausea, disturbance heart rate, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, blue lips, choking, severe pain in the body, trembling, hallucinations, convulsions, mental disorder. Lethal dose 2.25 g of foxglove is considered.

Treatment of poisoning begins with immediate cleansing of the intestines, stomach, taking activated carbon or other sorbent. You should definitely contact medical assistance. Typically, patients admitted with digitalis poisoning are prescribed caffeine, atropine, potassium chloride, and unithiol.

Digitalis is contraindicated for: acute heart attack, complete atrioventricular block and other manifestations of severe bradyarrhythmia, active rheumatic carditis, stenosis aortic valve, endocarditis, compensated heart defects.

This amazing plant, foxglove, is scientifically called Digitalis. It’s easy to explain this name, because from Latin “digitus” is translated as “finger”, less often - “ring” or “thimble”. This is exactly the shape of foxglove flowers. Some of its species are completely inconspicuous in appearance, but have medicinal properties. Others are quite spectacular, giving flower beds a special charm. This applies to a greater extent to foxgloves purpurea and grandiflora, which have been cultivated as ornamental plants since the 16th century. Why is this beautiful and harmless-looking flower popularly called “Witch’s Thimbles”, “Witch’s Flower”, “Bloody Fingers” and even “Dead Man’s Thimbles”?

History of foxglove

People have long used plants not only for beauty, but also for medicinal purposes. Treatment with digitalis was carried out by ancient physicians, prescribing it mainly for edema and as an emetic. Of course, doctors wanted to help the patients, but the effect of their actions was often completely opposite - the patients died in terrible agony. In those days, all inexplicable evil was attributed to the machinations of evil forces, whose representatives on Earth were witches. This is where the menacing names of foxglove came from. The real reason deaths was in the chemical composition of the plant. At that time, they did not know how to determine it, and research was carried out by trial and error. The high mortality rate after treatment with foxglove was the reason that it was deleted from the register of medicinal plants in many countries. At one time, even the great Paracelsus rejected the medicinal properties of foxglove. And only in the middle of the 18th century it was established that only 10 grams of dried leaves of this plant and 20 grams of fresh mass could kill an adult. So, in 1863, Doctor Pommery was suspected of deliberately poisoning his mother-in-law with foxglove and ex-lover. And the Belgian Marie Becker, using foxglove tinctures, sent 11 people to their forefathers, including her husband, lover and several girlfriends.

Discovery of the beneficial properties of foxglove

The recognition of digitalis as an unsurpassed medicinal product was due to the efforts of the young English doctor William Withering. He became extremely interested in the herbs that one healer used for her miraculous potions, and he himself tried the effects of each of the 20 plants on her list. In digitalis, he discovered a substance he called “digitalis”, which was capable of restoring the functioning of the heart of patients, as well as having a number of other beneficial properties. The scientist established a connection between taking large doses of foxglove and deaths and realized that the plant kills if you do not use it in moderation, and saves from death if you use it correctly. These medicinal properties of digitalis led to its widespread use in medicine again. The poison in foxglove was first isolated by the chemist Leroyer. He believed that the substance he discovered had the properties of alkaloids and called it digitalin.

Chemical composition of foxglove purpurea

Foxglove, or Digitalis, is now quite well studied. Not all of its types have medicinal properties. But in the leaves, stems and flowers of some of them, glycosides, saponids, choline, flavonoids, lanthanosides and many others are isolated useful material.
Truly, magic flower is foxglove purpurea. Firstly, she is simply beautiful, capable of unusually decorating a garden. And secondly, as many as 62 glycosides were found in it, which are used to treat heart diseases. Among them are primary purpureaglycosides A and B, which during the process of drying and storage are converted into secondary glycosides, from which, in turn, drugs are made. The most important are digitoxin and gitoxin.
Digitoxin is used in the treatment of tachycardia and heart failure. It is highly persistent in the patient’s body and, as a result, high degree accumulation (cumulation).
Gitoxin has the same therapeutic effect, but is less toxic, and its accumulation is lower than in digitoxin.
Also medicinal plant Digitalis purpurea contains in its leaves acetyl digitoxin, which is used to treat tachycardia, tachyarrhythmia and in maintenance therapy. This drug is characterized by rapid absorption and not very high accumulation.
In addition, the leaves of foxglove purpurea contain large quantities saponins, choline and flavonoids.

Medicinal plant foxglove woolly

This type of foxglove is practically not used as an ornamental one. The plant is cultivated to obtain important chemical components such as organic acids, steroidal and cardiotonic glycosides. Medicines made from this digitalis (Celanide, Digoxin) have a higher urinary effect than drugs made from digitalis purpurea. The medicinal properties of foxglove woolly are due to the presence of glycosides lanatoside C, or celanide, and digoxin in its aerial part.
Celanide is considered fast-acting remedy. If it is administered intravenously, it begins to act within 15 minutes. Its great value lies in the fact that it is less able than all other digitalis preparations to accumulate in cells and is relatively quickly eliminated from the body. The drug is used for tachycardia, arrhythmia, circulatory disorders and other heart diseases.
Digoxin is also considered a fast-acting drug. In addition, it has good absorption and can therefore be consumed in tablet form. In this case, it begins to act within two hours and reaches maximum effect eight hours after consumption. It is prescribed intravenously for severe forms course of heart diseases and blood circulation.
Foxglove grandiflora also has similar medicinal properties.

Medicinal properties of foxglove

In its chemical composition, the medicinal plant foxglove rusty is close to foxglove purpurea. 31 glycosides were found in its green mass. The leaves of this species are rich in lanatosides A, B, C, E, O, verodoxin, acetyldigitoxin and other components. Steroids and flavonoids are found in flowers, lanatosides and steroids are found in seeds. Digalen-neo is produced from the leaves of foxglove rusty, produced in the form of drops and solution for injection. Digalen-Neo is prescribed for tachyarrhythmia, circulatory disorders of 1, 2 and 3 degrees, and for heart failure. Even the roots of the plant are used (though in folk medicine) to treat anthrax.
Drugs with lanatosides are prescribed for tachyarrhythmia, high frequency heart contractions and other pathologies of heart disease. Lanatosides increase the contractility of the myocardium (special heart muscle), regulate the conductivity of the heart system, reduce its excitability, and increase urine formation. These drugs have fairly high absorption. Their accumulation is moderate. Preparations with lanatosides are available in tablets, since this glycoside is almost insoluble in water and alcohol.

Medicinal properties of digitalis ciliata

The chemical composition of this species is approximately the same as that of other medicinal foxgloves. From the green mass of the plant, the heart medicine digicil is made, which is neogalenic, that is, maximally purified from all accompanying impurities. This increases its efficiency and shelf life. Digitsil is used in the form of tablets or injection solutions if a quick therapeutic effect is required.
Another remedy that the medicinal plant foxglove gives us is digicilene. It is produced in the form aqueous solutions. Used for many heart diseases. This drug is very effective, since the very next day after the start of treatment, the patient’s condition, sleep, appetite noticeably improve, cardiac arrhythmia, shortness of breath, and swelling decrease.
Preparations from the seeds of the foxglove have antiviral activity and are used in folk medicine to treat influenza.
Latest Research chemical composition of all medicinal species Foxgloves make it possible to use these plants to treat epilepsy.

Procurement of raw materials

The medicinal plant foxglove is used in folk and traditional medicine. Recipes traditional medicine based mostly on cooking medicinal tinctures from the leaves of a plant. They are harvested during the flowering period. Only rosette leaves can be used in the first year of foxglove life, when flowering has not yet been observed. The collection of raw materials is carried out in sunny weather, in the late afternoon. Plucked leaves (without petioles) must be dried immediately, as they very quickly lose their medicinal properties. The green mass is dried either in air or fire drying ovens. It is necessary to lay out raw materials on baking sheets thin layer and turn over periodically during the drying process. Initial temperature in ovens it should be no lower than 55 degrees and no higher than 60. When the leaves become semi-dry, the temperature is gradually lowered to 40 degrees Celsius. Store prepared raw materials for no more than 2 years, using dry, tightly closed containers.

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Some recipes

In Russia, the medicinal properties of foxglove have been known for a long time. Back in 1730, Peter the Great, following the example of Western aesculapians, ordered the use of this plant in medicine, for which purpose foxgloves began to be grown in some farms in Poltava. In 1886, Digitalis was included in the register of the Russian Pharmacopoeia (first edition). Since then, people have accumulated many recipes using this miracle plant. Here are some of them:
Digitalis treatment for hypertension
An aqueous infusion of dry leaves is used. Ratio – no more than 1 gram of raw material per glass warm water. Leave for 30-40 minutes. Adults are prescribed to drink 1 tablespoon three times a day, and children over 12 years old 1 teaspoon also three times a day. Children under 12 years of age are not recommended to use digitalis infusions.
Treatment of chronic heart failure with digitalis
Grind dry foxglove leaves into powder. Take no more than 0.1 gram three times a day. In severe cases, it is possible to use the powder four times, but daily dose in no case should exceed 0.5 grams. The prepared powder should be stored with special care so that it does not become damp. Duration of treatment is from 6 to 12 days, no more.
I would like to note that when treating with digitalis, it is advisable to remain in bed and be under the supervision of a doctor.

Dangerous digitalis, contraindications for use

All types of foxglove are poisonous, so doctors strictly prohibit using this plant for medicinal purposes on their own, without first consulting a specialist.
Digitalis-based preparations should not be used by people with chronic diseases pulmonary system, myocardial infarction, myocarditis, pericarditis, angina pectoris, gastric tachycardia, pregnant women and young children.
Although even Botkin believed that the most precious remedy available in cardiac therapy is given to people by digitalis. The contraindications for its drugs are quite numerous.

Symptoms of poisoning

Unsystematic use of medications based on digitalis, as well as self-medication with this plant can cause severe poisoning, and in severe cases even cardiac arrest.
The first signs that something is going wrong in the body:
-nausea;
-vomit;
- severe abdominal pain accompanied by diarrhea;
-skin reactions;
- failure of the heart;
- breathing problems;
-convulsions.
If such symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.
When using foxglove a long period there is an accumulation of its components in the body, which entails anorexia, loss of appetite and hallucinations.

Safe Use of Foxglove

Digitalis, or foxglove, can be used without the risk of overdoing it and causing poisoning or even death. It's about about her magical properties, it’s not for nothing that they call it “Witch’s Thimbles.” There is a belief that foxglove protects not only witches from unfavorable energy, but anyone in whose garden it grows. Previously, black paint was made from its leaves and crosses were painted with it on the threshold of their homes. People believed that after this evil forces could not enter the house.
This amazing plant is used in their rituals by both white and black magicians. One of old recipes using foxglove says: "Cook Fresh Juice from the green mass of the plant. Draw a line without breaks around your house. You need to move clockwise."
Black magicians claim that foxglove can paralyze a person’s will, close his energy channels and even block the immune system.

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Rice. 6.1. Foxglove purple

Foxglove leaves-folia digitalis

(n. Red) - digitalis purpurea l.

Sem. Norichnikovye- scrophulariaceae

Other names: foxglove grass Digitalis grandiflora mill.

Foxglove purple - biennial in culture, perennial in nature herbaceous plant height from 50 to 120 cm (Fig. 6.1).

In the first year it develops only a rosette of large basal leaves, oblong-ovate in shape, with a blunt apex and a long winged petiole, a finely crenate edge and reticulate venation (clearly visible from the underside).

In the second year silvery pubescent stems with alternate leaves and a cluster of large thimble-shaped flowers are formed.

Leaves. The lower stem leaves are long-petiolate, ovate; medium – short-petioled; the upper ones are sessile, ovate-lanceolate.

Flower corolla purple, white inside with purple spots in the throat, has the appearance of a thimble.

Inflorescence- a thick one-sided multi-flowered brush.

Fetus- two-celled multi-seeded capsule.

Blooms in June - July, seeds ripen in July - August.

Foxglove grandiflora is a perennial herbaceous plant. 40-120 cm tall.

Is different from foxglove purple with lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, bare, green leaves on both sides with an unevenly serrated edge, as well as light yellow flowers (Fig. 6.2).

Blooms in June – July, fruits ripen in July – August. Both plants are poisonous.

Spreading

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Naturally grows in the forests of Western, Central and Northern Europe. Cultivated in many countries of the world; in Russia - in the North Caucasus, culture is possible in Ukraine and Moldova. Domestic varieties are significantly inferior to the best foreign ones in terms of the amount of cardenolides.

It grows in the mountains in the Middle and Southern Urals, in the Carpathians, in the North Caucasus, and less often in the hills in the central zone of the European part of Russia (Valdai, Volga Upland, etc.). Grows in deciduous and mixed forests in open areas, among bushes, along roads. The resources have been poorly studied, and at present, the raw materials of wild plants are practically not harvested. Included in regional Red Books.

Medicinal raw materials

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External signs

Whole raw materials

Whole leaves or pieces thereof.

U foxgloves purple - oblong-ovate or ovate-lanceolate in shape, the edge is unevenly crenate. Basal leaves have long winged petioles, stem leaves have short petioles or without petioles (Fig. 6.3, A). The leaves are brittle, wrinkled, heavily pubescent on the underside, with a characteristic dense network of strongly protruding small branching veins. The length of the leaves is 10-30 cm or more, the width is up to 11 cm. The color of the leaves is dark green above, grayish-green below.

U foxglove grandiflora leaves are lanceolate or elongated-lanceolate, with a blunt-pointed apex, with an unevenly sharp-edged edge with sparse teeth; basal and lower stem leaves, gradually tapering towards the base into a short winged petiole or without a petiole. The venation is angular. Length up to 30 cm, width up to 6 cm. Color green on both sides.
Smell weak. Taste not defined (!). Poisonous !

Crushed raw materials.

Pieces of leaves various shapes passing through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 7 mm. The color is grayish green. The smell is weak. The taste is not determined.

Powder grayish-green in color, passing through a 0.16 mm sieve. Smell weak. Taste not determined.

Microscopy

When examining the leaf from the surface, epidermal cells with sinuous walls are visible. Stomata predominate on the underside of the leaf, surrounded by 3-7 parastomatal cells (anomocytic type). The hairs are simple and capitate.

In foxglove purple simple hairs numerous, especially on the underside of the leaf, 2-8-celled, with a slightly warty cuticle and thin walls; individual cells hairs often falling off. There are two types of capitate hairs: quite common - with a two-cell head on a short unicellular stalk and relatively rare - with a unicellular spherical or oval head on a long multicellular stalk (Fig. 6.4).

In Foxglove grandiflora simple hairs are very large, rarely found on the underside of the leaf along large veins. Capitate hairs with a two-celled (sometimes unicellular) head on a short unicellular (occasionally two-celled) stalk.

Powder. When examining the powder, fragments of the epidermis with tortuous walls are visible; fragments of parenchyma cells and spiral vessels; numerous simple hairs and their fragments; Capitate hairs are less common.

Procurement and storage of raw materials

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Preparation. On plantations, rosette leaves of the first year are cut off in July - August, and after 1-1.5 months a second, sometimes third, harvest is made. Stem leaves from plants of the second year of life are torn off by hand. It is recommended to collect raw materials in the flowering phase, on a sunny day, since glycosides accumulate more intensely in the light. When cultivating foxglove as an annual crop, the leaves are cut 2-3 times during the summer without petioles (they make drying difficult and do not contain biologically active substances).

Security measures. On two-year-old plantations, when harvesting raw materials, the root system is protected from damage.

Drying. The raw materials should be dried quickly; the collected leaves are delivered in an open container to the drying site immediately. The raw materials are dried in artificially heated dryers at a temperature of 55-60 °C.

Standardization. GF XI, issue. 2, art. 14. Foxglove purpurea is used in the form of whole and crushed raw materials, as well as powder, no. grandiflora is used only in the form of whole raw materials.

Storage. All raw materials must be well packaged. Dense packaging promotes better preservation of biologically active substances. Whole raw materials are stored in a dry place, protected from light. Powder - in ampoules or tightly closed bottles. Isolated pure glycosides are stored according to list A, other drugs and medicinal raw materials - according to list B. The biological activity of raw materials is monitored annually.

Composition of foxglove

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Chemical composition of foxglove

More than 60 cardiotonic glycosides have been isolated from the aerial part of foxglove purpurea.

Of greatest importance are purpureaglycosides A and B having three molecules of digitoxose and one molecule of glucose as a carbohydrate component;
aglycone of purpureaglycoside A – digitoxigenin,

purpureaglycoside B – gitoxigenin(16-oxydigitoxygenin).

• gitaloxygenin,
• Gitalotoxin,
• digitoxin,
• gitoxin, etc.

In addition, the plant contains

• steroid saponins (digitonin, etc.),
• flavonoids,
• choline and other compounds.

Leaves foxglove grandiflora contain cardiotonic glycosides, the main of which are digilanides A, B, C (see “Foxglove leaves”). In addition, steroidal saponins and flavonoids were found.

Numerical indicators

Whole raw materials. The biological activity of 1 g of raw material should be 50-66 ICE or 10.3-12.6 KED; leaf moisture n. purple no more than 13% (n. grandiflora - 12%); total ash no more than 18% (n. grandiflora - 7%); darkened or yellowed leaves no more than 1%; other parts of the plant (stems, flowers and fruits) no more than 1% (n. grandiflora - 2%); crushed leaves passing through a sieve with holes 2 mm in diameter, no more than 2%; organic impurity no more than 0.5% (for N. grandiflora - 1%); mineral impurity no more than 0.5% (for N. grandiflora - 1%).

Crushed raw materials. The biological activity of 1 g of raw material should be 50-66 ICE or 10.3-12.6 KED; humidity no more than 13%; total ash no more than 18%; darkened or yellowed leaves no more than 1%; other parts of the plant (pieces of stems, fruits, flowers) no more than 1%; particles that do not pass through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 7 mm, no more than 5%; particles passing through a sieve with holes with a diameter of 0.5 mm, no more than 10%; organic impurity no more than 0.5%; mineral impurity no more than 0.5%.

Powder. The biological activity of 1 g of powder should be 50-66 ICE or 10.3-12.6 KED; humidity no more than 10%; total ash no more than 18%; particles that do not pass through a sieve with holes measuring 0.16 mm, no more than 2%.

Properties and uses of foxglove

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Pharmacotherapeutic group. Cardiotonic agent (cardiac glycosides).

Pharmacological properties of digitalis

Digitalis purpurea has a multifaceted effect on the body (vessels, nervus vagus, kidneys, intestines, central nervous system), but the main object of its action is the heart.

Cardiac glycosides

• increase systole,
• lengthen diastole,
• reduce the excitability of the cardiac conduction system.

According to modern ideas The physicochemical mechanism of action of cardiac (cardiotonic) glycosides consists of

• changes in the activity of Na-, K-dependent ATPase,
• an increase in the intracellular content of sodium ions,
• increasing the supply of calcium ions into cells, directly involved in the contractile act.

In addition, under the influence of cardiac glycosides, the amount of ionized calcium in the blood plasma increases.

Digitalis purpurea glycosides are lipophilic cardiotonic glycosides; they bind strongly to blood proteins, so they penetration into the myocardium occurs slowly. At internal use digitoxin, the cardiotropic effect develops only after 2-3 hours and lasts 2-3 weeks. Plant glycosides, when taken orally, gradually accumulate in the body and have high degree of cumulation.

Digitonin and other digitalis saponins have

• locally irritating and
• hemolytic properties.
• They help increase the solubility and absorption of cardiac glycosides.

Uses of foxglove

Foxglove purpurea preparations are used at

• circulatory failure stages II and III of various origins,
• as well as with tachysystolic form atrial fibrillation, usually accompanying and aggravating circulatory failure.

In case of overdose of digitalis preparations phenomena of intoxication are observed, expressed in

• bradycardia,
• sleep disturbance,
• increased shortness of breath,
• emergence discomfort in the area of ​​the heart.

Medicines

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1. An aqueous infusion of foxglove leaves (prepared in a pharmacy). Cardiotonic drug.
2. Foxglove purple leaves powder (powder; tablets). Cardiotonic drug.
3. Digitoxin (Kardigin, Christodigin), tablets 0.0001 g; suppositories of 0.00015 g. Glycoside obtained from the leaves of foxglove purpurea and n. grandiflora. Cardiotonic drug.
4. Cordigit (tablets 0.0008 g; suppositories 0.0012 g). Purified extract from foxglove purpurea leaves contains a sum of glycosides. Cardiotonic drug.

All digitalis preparations should not be refilled with a prescription not signed by a doctor, as they have cumulative properties (they can accumulate in the body if taken for a long time).

Digitalis(Digitalis purpurea) is a common biennial plant that contains digitoxin, digoxin and other cardiac glycosides. This chemical substances that affect the heart. Foxglove is poisonous and can be fatal even in small doses. This plant was the original source of a drug called digitalis.

Foxglove is native to Europe. It was first known by the Anglo-Saxon name foxes glofa (fox's glove) because its flowers resemble the fingers of a glove. The name is also believed to be related to a northern legend in which evil fairies gave flowers to a fox to place on her feet to muffle her footsteps as she hunted for prey. The legend may partially explain some of the common names Foxgloves: dead man's bells, fairy's finger, fairy bells, fairy thimble, fairy bonnet, lady's thimble, lady's finger, rabbit flower, bluebell, Scotch .

During the first year, foxglove produces only leaves. In the second year, a tall, leafy flowering stem appears and grows 0.9-1.2 meters in height. In early summer it blooms with numerous trumpet-shaped, bell-like flowers, about 5.08 cm long and ranging in color from white to lavender and purple.

Digitalis was originally used for congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation (chaotic contractions of the atria of the heart). It helps the heart muscles contract, reduces the heart rate and reduces the amount of oxygen the heart needs to process. The cardiac glycosides in digitalis block an enzyme that regulates the electrical activity of the heart. Dried leaves, ripe dried seeds and fresh leaves an annual plant or leaves of an old biennial plant.

Despite its use in the past, foxglove has been largely replaced by standardized pharmaceuticals, because it is one of the most dangerous medicinal plants in the world. Essentially this good example the importance of standardization in testing the effectiveness and possible toxicity of modern popular medicines plant origin. The sap, flowers, seeds and leaves are poisonous. Largest quantity cardiac glycosides are contained in the leaves, even in dried form. The upper leaves of the stem are more dangerous than the lower ones. Foxglove is most toxic just before the seeds ripen. It tastes spicy-burning or bitter, with a slightly unpleasant odor.

In folk medicine, this medicinal plant was first used in Ireland. Its use spread to Scotland, England and then Central Europe. The plant was used to treat abscesses, boils, headaches, paralysis and stomach ulcers. It was also used to treat wounds and ulcers. This medication has not been proven to be effective in treating any of these conditions.

Precautionary measures

If used incorrectly, foxglove is deadly - it can cause cardiac or respiratory arrest. Consuming any part of the plant can be fatal. The therapeutic dose is very close to the lethal dose, so this plant cannot be treated.

An overdose of digitalis interferes with the heart's normal electrical rhythms; as a result, it will beat too slowly or too fast. Overdose may also cause diarrhea, headache, loss of appetite and vomiting. More serious and potentially fatal overdose reactions affect the heart and central nervous system. Digitalis can disrupt the rhythm of the heart, including life-threatening ventricular tachycardia or atrial fibrillation with atrioventricular block. Regarding side effects from the central nervous system, then confusion, depression, drowsiness, hallucinations, psychosis and visual disturbances may occur.

Foxglove poisoning sometimes occurs due to misuse herbal preparations, for example, dried foxglove leaves in tea, or due to an overdose of a prescription drug containing this ingredient. This can also happen when foxglove is confused with comfrey, a plant used to make tea that is in the borage family. The two plants are very similar.

Side effects of digitalis

Some patients who take medications containing digitalis may experience such side effects like increased muscle