A Review on Systematic Study of Digitalies

Digitalis purpurea L. is an important medicinal plant belonging to the family Scrophulariaceae and is an important source of secondary metabolites. The exclusively important digitalis purpurea L. ( Foxglove) Belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae and is distributed throughout the European continent. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of cardiac glucosides, flavonoids, anthraquinones, and also tripenes. But the most important of the phytoconstituents contributed by D.purpurea is the striking presence of numerous cardioactive glycosi6that that have proven to be the most important drugs in treating congestive heart failure. The glucosides of D. purpurea are not only considered to possess cardiac glucosides stimulant but also have wound healing, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities. Many of them exhibit slowing ventricular rate in atrial Fibrillation, atrial flutter, supraventricular tachycardia, and premature extrasystoles. The present review is, therefore, an effort to present a detailed survey of the literature on pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of D . Purpurea.