Digitoxin (cardiac glycoside) dosage

Digitoxin , or digitoxin bioactive compounds extracted from the leaves of foxglove (Digitalis purpurea). These molecules are known for their potent pharmacological activity on the heart muscle, enhancing myocardial contraction.
Due to its high toxicity and narrow therapeutic index, digitoxin is currently used only in research or control settings, but it remains an important chemical marker in the analysis of plant extracts and natural products.

Digitoxin assay allows for the detection, quantification and control of its presence in various matrices, whether plant extracts, pharmaceuticals, biological samples or environmental analyses.

Why analyze digitoxin?

Digitoxin analysis addresses several scientific, regulatory, and industrial needs:

• Safety control in medicinal plant extracts potentially contaminated with digitalis.
• Compliance verification in herbal products, supplements or nutraceuticals.
• Environmental studies on the presence of cardenolides in soils or water contaminated by plant residues.
• Digitalis species and their metabolic profile.
• Pharmacological research on cardiac glycosides and their metabolism.

Given the potential toxicity of digitoxin, its detection is essential to ensure the safety of plant products and to prevent any accidental exposure.

Analytical methods used

At YesWeLab , digitoxin analysis is carried out using highly sensitive chromatographic and spectrometric techniques, adapted to the complexity of plant or biological matrices.

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC or UPLC)
This method separates the compounds in a plant extract according to their polarity and chemical structure. Coupled with UV or DAD (diode array) detection, it allows for the quantification of digitoxin with high precision.

Mass spectrometry (LC-MS / LC-MS/MS)
LC-MS is used for structural confirmation and trace quantification of cardiotonic glycosides. It allows specific detection even at concentrations on the order of nanograms per milliliter, making it possible to analyze complex matrices (plants, hydroalcoholic extracts, sera, etc.).

These methods meet international standards (ISO 17025, ICH Q2, AOAC) and guarantee unambiguous identification , in accordance with safety and traceability requirements.

Industrial and scientific applications

Nutraceuticals and Phytotherapy:
Digitoxin content analysis is essential to ensure the compliance and safety of plant extracts used in natural health products. Formulation and quality control laboratories rely on this analysis to verify the absence of Digitalis purpurea .

Botany and plant research
Digitoxin assay is also used in chemotaxonomic or metabolic of medicinal plants to identify the presence of cardenolides and to understand their distribution within species.

Environment and ecotoxicology
Some studies focus on the detection of cardiotonic glycosides in soils, effluents and aquatic environments , particularly in the context of monitoring natural contaminants from plant waste or industrial extract discharges.

Pharmaceutical and medical products
Although the use of digitoxin for therapeutic purposes is restricted today, its dosage remains crucial in the pharmacokinetics and formulation control of experimental or veterinary cardiac products.

Affected matrices

• Plant extracts and powders ( Digitalis purpurea , Digitalis lanata )
• Nutraceutical products or herbal supplements
• Soils, water and environmental matrices
• Pharmaceutical products and experimental formulations

Recommended Related Analyses

To complete the safety and botanical origin assessment of extracts, YesWeLab recommends combining digitoxin testing with:
Digoxin testing – for another plant-derived cardiotonic glycoside.
Saponin analysis – to characterize amphiphilic compounds of plant origin.
Quercetin testing – to complete the polyphenolic and bioactive profile of the extracts.
DNA detection of plant species – to verify the botanical origin of samples potentially containing foxglove.

Why entrust your analysis to YesWeLab?

YesWeLab relies on a network of ISO 17025 and COFRAC accredited laboratories specializing in the analysis of plant bioactive molecules and natural pharmaceutical compounds. Our experts support manufacturers and researchers with their quantification, safety, and regulatory compliance needs.
Thanks to our intuitive digital platform, analysis requests, sample tracking, and results delivery are all handled centrally, quickly, and confidentially.