Studies on the pharmacology and toxicology of Acovenoside A

Abstract

It has been shown that Acovenoside A. is a typical cardio-active glycoside in both its pharmacological and toxicological actions. It is highly cumulative. either materially or functionally, and by prolonged action can cause disseminated interstitial fibrosis and focal degeneration of the myocard. The macroscopical post-mortem lesions are very similar to those of heartwater (Rickettsia ruminantium infection) but the characteristic rigid systole of the ventricles in acovenoside poisoning should differentiate the two conditions.