Cardiotonic drugs improve heart muscle contraction and efficiency, with examples including digitalis and arjuna. Digitalis, derived from the foxglove plant, is primarily used to treat congestive heart failure, while arjuna is noted for its multiple uses, including diuretic and hypotensive effects. Key chemical constituents of these drugs include cardiac glycosides in digitalis and hydrolysable tannins in arjuna.

1. CHAPTER – V CARDIOTONIC
M.NITHYA B.PHARM, LECTURER, ECOP. 1
CARDIOTONIC
Definition:
 Cardiotonic are drugs used to increase the efficiency and improve the contraction of the heart muscle.
Examples:
 Digitalis
 Arjuna
Digitalis Arjuna

2. CHAPTER – V CARDIOTONIC
M.NITHYA B.PHARM, LECTURER, ECOP. 2
Drug name Synonyms Biological Source Family Chemical
Constituents
Uses
Digitalis
( Cardiac
Glycosides)
Foxglove
Leaves
It consists of dried
leaves of Digitalis
purpurea
Scorphulariaceae Purpurea
glycoside
A&B,
Digitoxin,
Digoxin
1. Cardiotonic
Mainly for
treatment of
Congestive
Heart Failure
Chemical Test
Keller-Kiliani
Test
Legal Test
Baljet Test
Transeverse Section or Microscopical Characters of Digitalis:
Leaf: Dorsiventral Leaf Epidermis: Wavy- walled epidermis
Trichomes: Uniseriate, Multicellular, Covering and Glandular trichomes Stomata: Anomocytic Stomata

3. CHAPTER – V CARDIOTONIC
M.NITHYA B.PHARM, LECTURER, ECOP. 3
Drug name Synonyms Biological Source Family Chemical Constituents Uses
Arjuna
(Hydrolysable
Tannins)
Arjun bark It consists of dried
stem bark of the plant
known as Terminalia
Arjuna
Combretaceae Triterpenoid Saponins
Arjunolic acid
Arjunic acid
Ellagic acid
1. Cardiotonic
2. Diuretic
3. Hypotensive
4. Antidysenteric