| Description | One of several
cardiac glycosides that have been used clinically as cardiotonic
agents and diuretics. Ouabain is obtained from the seeds of
Strophanthus gratus, Acokanthera ouabaio, and related species.
It was formerly prescribed under the name strophanthuis as the
purified seed extract. |
| Chemical Properties | Ouabain is a white crystalline solid. |
| Uses | Ouabain is a Na+/K+-ATPase inhibitor hormone, which negatively modulates allergic airway inflammation induced by ovalbumin (OVA). |
| Definition | ChEBI: Ouabain is a steroid hormone that is a multi-hydroxylated alpha-L-rhamnosyl cardenoloide. It binds to and inhibits the plasma membrane Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase (sodium pump). It has been isolated naturally from Strophanthus gratus. It has a role as an EC 3.6.3.9 (Na(+)/K(+)-transporting ATPase) inhibitor, an EC 3.6.3.10 (H(+)/K(+)-exchanging ATPase) inhibitor, an EC 2.3.3.1 [citrate (Si)-synthase] inhibitor, an EC 3.1.3.41 (4-nitrophenylphosphatase) inhibitor, a plant metabolite, a cardiotonic drug, an ion transport inhibitor and an anti-arrhythmia drug. It is a cardenolide glycoside, a steroid hormone, an alpha-L-rhamnoside, a 14beta-hydroxy steroid, a 5beta-hydroxy steroid and an 11alpha-hydroxy steroid. It is a conjugate acid of an ouabain(1-). |
| General Description | Odorless, white crystals or crystalline powder as an octahydrate. Used to produce rapid digitalization in acute congestive heart failure. Also recommended in treatment of atrial or nodal paroxysmal tachycardia and atrial flutter. |
| Reactivity Profile | When heated to decomposition, G-STROPHANTHIN emits acrid smoke and fumes. Hydrolysis yields one mole ouabagenin and one mole rhamnose. Stable in air, but affected by light (G-STROPHANTHIN octahydrate) [EPA, 1998]. |
| Health Hazard | G-STROPHANTHIN is classified as extremely toxic. Probable oral lethal dose in humans is less than 5 mg/kg or a taste (less than 7 drops) for 70 kg (150-lb.) person. Exposure may result in respiratory and cardiac failure, and/or hyperalkemia. Patients with frequent premature ventricular heart beats or who have received any preparation of digitalis during preceding three weeks are prone to toxicity. |
| Fire Hazard | When heated to decomposition, G-STROPHANTHIN emits acrid smoke and fumes. Hydrolysis yields one mole ouabagenin and one mole rhamnose. Stable in air, but affected by light (G-STROPHANTHIN octahydrate) |
| Biological Activity | Selective Na + , K + -ATPase inhibitor. |
| Safety Profile | Poison by ingestion, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravenous, subcutaneous, and parented routes. Moderately toxic by intraduodenal route. A cardac stimulant. Mutation data reported. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes |
| Potential Exposure | Ouabain, similar to digitoxin, is used
to produce rapid digitalization in acute congestive heart
failure. Also recommended in treatment of atrial or nodal
paroxysmal tachycardia and atrial flutter; enzyme inhibitor. |
| storage | -20°C (desiccate) |
| Shipping | UN1544 Alkaloids, solid, n.o.s., Hazard Class:
6.1; Labels: 6.1-Poisonous materials. |
| Purification Methods | It crystallises from water as the octahydrate. Dry it at 130o. It decomposes at 190o when dry. Store it in the dark as it is light sensitive, but it is stable in air. Its solubility (g/100mL) in H2O is 1.3 (~25o), 20 (~100o), and in EtOH it is 1.0 (~25o) and 12.5 (~78o). It is highly TOXIC as it is an inhibitor of cation transport and of Na+ and K+ ATPase. [Beilstein 18/5 V 625.] |
| Incompatibilities | Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates,
nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine,
bromine, fluorine, etc.). |
