Which herb contains cardiac glycosides and is used for congestive heart failure?

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Multiple Choice

Which herb contains cardiac glycosides and is used for congestive heart failure?

Cardiac glycosides strengthen heart muscle contractions by inhibiting the Na+/K+ ATPase pump in heart cells, which increases intracellular calcium and enhances systolic force (positive inotropy). This makes Digitalis purpurea, the foxglove, the classic source of these compounds (digoxin and digitoxin) and the herb historically used for congestive heart failure. The other plants listed do not contain cardiac glycosides—California poppy is a sedative, jimsonweed is anticholinergic, and artichoke serves mainly digestive/biliary uses—so they don’t provide the cardiac glycoside mechanism needed to treat heart failure.

Cardiac glycosides strengthen heart muscle contractions by inhibiting the Na+/K+ ATPase pump in heart cells, which increases intracellular calcium and enhances systolic force (positive inotropy). This makes Digitalis purpurea, the foxglove, the classic source of these compounds (digoxin and digitoxin) and the herb historically used for congestive heart failure. The other plants listed do not contain cardiac glycosides—California poppy is a sedative, jimsonweed is anticholinergic, and artichoke serves mainly digestive/biliary uses—so they don’t provide the cardiac glycoside mechanism needed to treat heart failure.

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