Drugs to treat heart disorders

Exemples are a.o. digitalis, strophanitine and chinidine. Digitalis is found in the leaves of foxgloves (Digitalis species); it stimulates the contraction of the heart. A conforming action to be expected from srtophantine, which is found in Strophantus species,. Digitalis and strophantine are socalled heart glycosides, also to be found in sea onion (Urginea or Scilla maritime), used as rat poison, and in Convalaria majalis. Heart glycosides are useful drugs to treat heart muscle deficiencies. The opposite action is exactly caused by chinidine, an alkaloid from the bark of the cinchona tree (used against malaria). This substance may inhibit specifically the stimulated heart, e.g. in case of irregular (especially it too fast) heart beat.

Drugs stimulation the central nervous system (analeptics)

E.g. coffein, theophylline, and theobromin, found in a series of beverage plants; coffee (Coffea arabica), tea (Thea sinensis), cola (Cola vera),. Coffein is the strongest in action of the three drugs and acts stimulating on brain rind, e.g. against tiredness an as stimulant for mental power. However, side effects on the muscles, the blood stream and the urine excretion are also noted.