Nadoxin increases the strengh and vigor of hrart contractions ,and is useful in the treatment of heart failure .
It is extracted from the leaves of a plant called digitalis lanata.
Nadoxin increases the force of contraction of the muscle of the heart by inhibiting the activity of an enzyme (ATPase) that controls movement of calcium,sodium and potassium into heart muscle.
Calcium controls the force of contraction. Inhibiting ATPase increases calcium in heart muscle and therefore increases the force of heart contractions.
Nadoxin also slows electrical conduction between the atria and the Ventricles of the heart and useful in treating abnormally rapid atrial rhythem such as atrail fibrillation, atrial flutter,and atrial tachycardia.
(Abnormally rapid atrial rhythems can be caused by heart attacks, excessive thyroid hormones,alcoholism,infections,and many other conditions).
During rapid atrial rhythms ,electrical signals from the atria cause rapid contractions of the ventricles .
Rapid ventricular contractions are inefficient in pumping blood containing oxygen and nutrients to the body, causing symptoms of weakness,shortness of breath,dizziness,and even chest pain.
Nadoxin alleviates these symptoms by blocking the electrical conduction between the atria and ventricles ,thus slowing ventricular contractions.
The FDA approved Nadoxin in 1975