Digitonin

Synonyms

Digitin

beta-D-Galactopyranoside, (2alpha,3beta,5alpha,15beta,25R)-2,15-dihydroxyspirostan-3-yl) O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-3)-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-2)-O-(beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-3))-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-4

A glycoside obtained from Digitalis purpurea; the aglycone is digitogenin which is bound to five sugars. Digitonin solubilizes lipids, especially in membranes and is used as a tool in cellular biochemistry, and reagent for precipitating cholesterol. It has no cardiac effects.