Thevetin
Encyclopedia
Thevetin C42H66O18 is a poisonous crystalline cardiac glycoside
. It is obtained especially from the seeds of a West Indian shrub or small tree (Thevetia
nereifolia) of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae
). Hydrolysis
products include glucose
, digitalose, and a sterol
.
Glycoside
In chemistry, a glycoside is a molecule in which a sugar is bound to a non-carbohydrate moiety, usually a small organic molecule. Glycosides play numerous important roles in living organisms. Many plants store chemicals in the form of inactive glycosides. These can be activated by enzyme...
. It is obtained especially from the seeds of a West Indian shrub or small tree (Thevetia
Thevetia
Thevetia is a genus of flowering plants in the dogbane family, Apocynaceae.-Species species:*Thevetia ahouai A.DC.*Thevetia ovata A.DC.*Thevetia peruviana K.Schum.*Thevetia thevetioides K.Schum....
nereifolia) of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae
Apocynaceae
The Apocynaceae or dogbane family is a family of flowering plants that includes trees, shrubs, herbs, and lianas.Many species are tall trees found in tropical rainforests, and most are from the tropics and subtropics, but some grow in tropical dry, xeric environments. There are also perennial herbs...
). Hydrolysis
Hydrolysis
Hydrolysis is a chemical reaction during which molecules of water are split into hydrogen cations and hydroxide anions in the process of a chemical mechanism. It is the type of reaction that is used to break down certain polymers, especially those made by condensation polymerization...
products include glucose
Glucose
Glucose is a simple sugar and an important carbohydrate in biology. Cells use it as the primary source of energy and a metabolic intermediate...
, digitalose, and a sterol
Sterol
Sterols, also known as steroid alcohols, are a subgroup of the steroids and an important class of organic molecules. They occur naturally in plants, animals, and fungi, with the most familiar type of animal sterol being cholesterol...
.
Reference
- Definition: http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/thevetin
- Chemical properties: http://www.druglead.com/cds/thevetin-a.html