“Describe the process of drug discovery from nature.  Choose a plant that has been used as the source material for a conventional medicine as an example.”

introduction

This essay describes the process of the discovery of digoxin, a cardiac glycoside derived from Digitalis spp..

 To begin, this essay will observe the plant Digitalis purpurea L. (IPNI) and then continue by looking at traditional uses of the plant and its formal entrance in to medicine. The importance of standardisation and preparation will be considered, as will isolation of active constituents and their actions.

In particular, the cardenolides, Digoxin and Digitoxin will be examined, as well as the administration, contra-indications and toxicity of the drug.

The essay will end by comparing the preclinical studies and clinical trials of D. purpurea with what would be expected in modern times and look at  recent systematic reviews of digoxin.