Digitalis is a genus of flowering plants that are used as a medicine for heart disorders.
The cardiotropic properties of this flower have been known for a long time. In the first half of the 18th century, it began to be grown in Russia in pharmacies, and since 1775, when the works of the British physician Whiting were published, digitalis preparations have firmly taken a place in the practice of treating heart ailments.
Digitalis botanical characteristic
Digitalis genus (Digitalis) is a perennial flowering plant of the plantain family with large inflorescences from thimble-like flowers and fragile wrinkled leaves. Blossom in mid-summer (end of June-July), the fruits are bivalve-shaped egg-shaped capsules with small brown seeds. A total of 36 species of digitalis are described, of which only 5 are used for medical purposes: digitalis is woolly (the main source of raw materials), purple, ciliary, large-flowered and rusty.
Initially, the preparation of digitalis woolly was an extract from the leaves of the first and second years. Digitalis glycoside pharmaceuticals are currently obtained from the aerial parts of plants, mowed before flowering.
All digitalis are poisonous, which indicates a large number of biologically active substances and requires careful handling.
Chemical components and the use of digitalis
Digitalis drugs include its main active ingredients - cardiac glycosides: digitoxin, gytoxin, digoxin, acetyldigoxin and many others, as well as organic acids, saponins, flavonoids.
Most active components are of secondary hydrolysis origin, that is, obtained by enzymatic cleavage of natural glycoside molecules.
Digitalis preparations are used in the treatment of many cardiological diseases, mainly related to disorders of the heart and blood vessels:
- Heart failure and various organic lesions of the heart structures (including as a preventive measure).
- Valvular heart disease leading to decompensation.
- Atrial fibrillation.
- Inflammation and degeneration of the heart muscle.
- Paroxysmal tachycardia in pregnant women.
- Preparation for cardiac surgery.
In case of violations of the conduction system of the heart (blockade) and bradycardia, digitalis glycosides are not prescribed.
How digitalis glycoside preparation works
Glycosides isolated from digitalis grass specifically affect the heart muscle. In heart failure, the effect of digitalis will be as follows:
- decreased heart rate;
- increased strength of myocardial contraction;
- lengthening the period of relaxation of the heart (diastole).
Digitalis preparations are also successfully used in the treatment of circulatory failure, when the heart does not cope with the advancement of blood through the vessels, which is complicated by edema and trophic disorders. In this case, glycoside preparations are expected to:
- an increase in cardiac output (the amount of blood leaving the ventricles in one contraction);
- more effective ventricular emptying during systole;
- a decrease in the volume of blood circulating in the vessels and, as a result, a decrease in swelling;
- normalization of heart rate in tachycardia;
- acceleration of blood flow in the vascular bed;
- increased vascular tone, which is accompanied by a slight increase in blood pressure.
Digitalis toxicity can provoke unwanted side effects: disruption of the digestive tract, nervous system, changes in heart rate. The unauthorized use of these drugs is unacceptable, only the doctor selects the treatment regimen taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient.
Digitalis Woolly
"Celanide" is a fast acting cardiac glycoside, available in the form of tablets and a solution for intravenous injection. The main indications are circulatory failure, tachycardia, atrial fibrillation.
Digoxin is characterized by an increase in myocardial contractility, does not disturb coronary circulation and reduces swelling due to diuretic action. It is administered intravenously and orally. It is prescribed for severe circulatory disorders and during an attack of paroxysmal tachycardia as an emergency.
The therapeutic effect reaches its maximum after some time, when the active substances in the body reach a certain concentration. There is a cumulative effect (cumulative) due to the fact that digitalis preparations are excreted rather slowly.