DIGITONIN

Chemical properties

white crystalline powder

The Uses of DIGITONIN

Digitonin has been used in a study to assess a procedure for isolating mitochondria from ascites tumor cells. It has also been used in a study to investigate its effect on the cytotoxicity of plant secondary metabolites in cancer cells. This mild nonionic detergent can be used to solubilize receptors and permeabilize cellular and nuclear membranes.

The Uses of DIGITONIN

enhances membrane permeability

The Uses of DIGITONIN

Natural surfactant useful for receptor solubilization and cell permeabilization, e.g., blood platelets, hepatocytes, yeast or tumor cells

The Uses of DIGITONIN

Clinical reagent (cholesterol determination).

What are the applications of Application

Digitonin is a steroidal saponin and non-ionic biodetergent used to solubilize membrane-bound proteins.

General Description

Crystals or white powder.

Air & Water Reactions

Forms soapy aqueous suspension .

Reactivity Profile

DIGITONIN is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents and strong acids. (NTP, 1992

Fire Hazard

Flash point data for DIGITONIN are not available; however, DIGITONIN is probably combustible.

Safety Profile

Poison by ingestion, intravenous, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous routes. Mutation data reported. See also DIGITALIS. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Purification Methods

This digitoxin hexa-glycoside can be recrystallised from aqueous 85% EtOH or MeOH/diethyl ether. It is purified by preparative paper chromatography and developed with the upper phase of a mixture of nBuOH/H2O/AcOH (4:5:1), and the spot (RF 0.36) is eluted with 25% CCl3CO2H in CHCl3. It has also been purified by countercurrent distribution. It forms an ethanolate, and complexes with cholesterol and other sterols. [Ruhenstroth-Bauer & Breitenfeld Hoppe Seyler's Z Physiol Chem 302 111 1955, Grisvold J Am Pharm Assoc 23 664 1934, Beilstein 19 IV 1243.]