Ouabain

Systematic (IUPAC) name
1β,3β,5β,11α,14,19-Hexahydroxycard-20(22)-enolide 3-(6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranoside) OR 4-[(1R,3S,5S,8R,9S,10R,11R,13R,14S,17R)-1,5,11,14-tetrahydroxy-10- (hydroxymethyl)-13-methyl-3-((2R,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyltetrahydro-2H- pyran-2-yloxy)hexadecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-yl]furan-2(5H)-one
Identifiers
CAS number	630-60-4
ATC code	C01AC01
PubChem	4605
Chemical data
Formula	C29H44O12
Mol. mass	584.652
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	?
Metabolism	?
Half life	?
Excretion	?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	?
Legal status
Routes	?
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Ouabain ('wa:ben, wa:'bein) (through French from Somali waabaayo, "arrow poison") is the familiar name of g-strophanthin, a poisonous cardiac glycoside.

Contents 1 Sources 2 Function 3 Endogenous ouabain and ouabain mimics 4 Uses 5 References 6 See also 7 External links

[edit] Sources

Ouabain (g-strophanthin) is found in the ripe seeds of African plants Strophanthus gratus and Acokanthera ouabaio. k-strophanthin is found in the ripe seeds of Strophanthus kombé.

[edit] Function

It is well understood that the classical mechanism of action of ouabain involves its binding to and inhibition of the plasma membrane Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase (sodium pump) especially at the higher concentrations attainable in vitro or with intravenous dosage. Inhibition of the sodium pump and the secondary effect on the handling of calcium ions by sodium calcium exchanger (NCX) is widely believed to underlie the original beneficial effect as an inotropic agent following intravenous use of ouabain; digoxin is a structurally related and more lipophilic cardiac glycoside that largely replaced ouabain for therapy because of its superior bioavailability per os. Digoxin continues to be used therapeutically for many of the same indications in which ouabain was used (including atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure).

In addition to the classical mechanism of action of ouabain, a small number of reports spanning the last 30–40 years^[update] have observed that low (i.e., subnanomolar) concentrations of ouabain may sometimes stimulate the Na-K-ATPase. e.g., ^[1] This stimulatory effect does not appear to be mimicked by digoxin. ^[2] The mechanism of the stimulatory effect and its relevance to cell function is not understood.

[edit] Endogenous ouabain and ouabain mimics

In 1991, a potent sodium pump inhibitor was isolated from the human circulation and identified as ouabain. Several additional observations led to the view that the circulating ouabain in humans was an endogenous hormone.^[3] A reinterpretation of a portion of the analytical data led to the proposal that endogenous ouabain may have been the 11 epimer, i.e., an isomer of plant ouabain.^[4] However, this possibility has been excluded by the synthesis of the 11 epimer and the demonstration that it has different chromatographic behavior from ouabain. Ouabain is synthesized in the adrenal gland^[5] and in the hypothalamus^[6]. It is also produced in the heart, augmentedly in the condition of oxygen deficiency.^[7]

The mode of action and significance of physiological levels of endogenous ouabain are under active investigation. In human plasma from healthy individuals, the circulating levels are normally distributed in the population and range typically from 30 - 380 pM. Significantly higher levels of endogenous ouabain that may approach or even exceed 1 nM have been observed in many patients with congestive heart failure, essential hypertension, renal failure and some cancers. It has been suggested that physiological concentrations of ouabain promote cell growth and in some manner stimulate the Na+/K+-ATPase activity while the higher levels achieved during intravenous therapy or in pathophysiological disorders may inhibit the Na+/K+-ATPase.^[1]

In the years following the discovery of ouabain in the human circulation, it was found in the adrenal glands of cows^[8] and dogs.^[9]

[edit] Uses

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Ouabain isolated from plants is widely used by scientists in in vitro studies to specifically block the sodium pump (Na-K-ATPase). In many non rodent species, low concentrations of this substance (i.e., in the subnanomolar range) may stimulate the Na-K-ATPase. The mechanism of the stimulatory effect is not understood and remains controversial. Further, the issue in rodents is more complicated because there are different isoforms of the Na-K-ATPase - some of which are very sensitive to ouabain while others are not.

Ouabain is no longer widely used for the treatment of human heart failure. However, in France and Germany, intravenous ouabain has a long history in the treatment of heart failure, and some continue to advocate its use intravenously and per os (orally) in angina pectoris and myocardial infarction. The parenteral absorption seems to be better than indicated by the textbooks. There is some evidence for a highly significant efficacy of ouabain by several thousand patients by several observational studies and two double-blind studies with 30-40 patients each, and some hundreds of doctor's report, the most of them unfortunately only available in german language and not listed at pubmed.com, although all published in medical journals. However, no well controlled research exists that proves or disproves the efficacy the per os practice.

Extracts containing ouabain have long been used by Somali tribesmen and other groups to poison hunting arrows. A sufficiently concentrated ouabain dart can bring down a Hippopotamus probably as the result of respiratory and/or cardiac arrest. The Galápagos tortoise, however, is immune to the effects of ouabain darts.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• Strophanthidin

[edit] External links

• [1] Ouabainomics by Hamlyn

v • d • e Cardiac glycosides (C01A) Bufo Arenobufagin • Bufotalin • Cinobufagin • Marinobufagin Digitalis Acetyldigitoxin • Acetyldigoxin • Digitalis leaves - Digitoxin • Digoxin • Lanatoside C • Deslanoside • Metildigoxin • Gitoformate Scilla Proscillaridin • Scilliroside Strophantus G-strophanthin • Cymarin Thevetia Peruvoside