Cerberin (Cer)

Cerberin is a part of the cardiac glycosides group, also known as digitalis-like compounds, which is a group that is used as a treatment for heart problems. In higher doses however these compounds are toxic. Cerberin is soluble in chloroform, aceton and moderately in water. All the cardiac glycosides have the same structural motif, a steroid nucleus. These four rings are the pharmacophoric moiety and are responsible for the reactivity of cardiac glycosides. The steroid core is connected with a lactone ring and a sugar part).There are two types of cardiac glycosides depending on de characteristics of the lactone moiety. Because cerberin has a five-membered ring it belongs to the cardenolides. Many types of sugars can be attached as the sugar moiety of the cardiac glycosides such as glucose, galactose and mannose. What kind of sugar is attached plays a role in the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic phase in the body.