[Determination of cardenolides in Digitalis lanata by a solid-phase immunoenzyme method]

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Pharmacognosy

Context:

• Digitalis lanata is a key source of cardiac glycosides like digoxin.
• Accurate quantification of cardenolides is crucial for plant breeding and drug production.
• Existing analytical methods may be time-consuming or require specialized equipment.

Purpose:

• To develop a sensitive and specific competitive solid-phase enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for determining cardenolides in Digitalis lanata.
• To validate the EIA method against established techniques like High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).
• To assess the utility of the EIA for large-scale productivity estimations in Digitalis lanata cultivation.

Summary:

• A competitive solid-phase EIA utilizing high-affinity digoxin-specific monoclonal antibodies was established for cardenolide determination in Digitalis lanata.
• The assay demonstrates a detection limit of 0.1 nmol/ml for digoxin and related compounds.
• Results from the EIA showed strong correlation with HPLC analysis of total cardenolide content, including digoxin, deslanoside C, and lanatoside C.

Impact:

• The developed EIA provides a rapid and reliable method for quantifying cardenolides in Digitalis lanata.
• This assay is particularly useful for evaluating the productivity of large batches and tissue clones, aiding in the selection of high-yield plant varieties.
• The method facilitates efficient quality control and breeding programs for Digitalis lanata-derived pharmaceuticals.