Definition
ouabain
noun
- A toxic cardiac glycoside obtained from African plants, used in medicine and research to study heart function and ion transport.
Usage: technical; pharmacology; biochemistry
Examples
- Ouabain is derived from the seeds of the Strophanthus plant native to Africa.
- Researchers use ouabain to inhibit the sodium-potassium pump in experimental studies.
- In small doses, ouabain has been used as a cardiac stimulant in some medical treatments.
- The mechanism of ouabain involves blocking the Na+/K+-ATPase enzyme.
- Ouabain's effects on cellular ion balance make it valuable for understanding heart physiology.