Abstract
The biotransformation of (G-3H) digitoxin and (G-3H) digoxin has been studied in a strain of Digitalis purpurea in which cardenolides of the B series were predominant. A direct method of introducing the tritiated glycosides into the plant is described and the conversions monitored at intervals during the subsequent 6 weeks. Conversion of labelled digitoxin to purpurea glycosides A and B, gitoxin and gitaloxin occurred. Of particular interest was the conversion of digitoxin to the digitalose - containing glycosides, strospeside and verodoxin. Digoxin, an exogenous glycoside to D. purpurea, was glycosylated to desacetyl lanatoside C; there was some conversion to B and E series glycosides but only minimal formation of A series cardenolides.
Key Word Index
Digitalis purpurea
- Scrophulariaceae - Cardenolides - (G-3H) Digitoxin - (G-3H) Digoxin - Biotransformation
