Glycoside — herbalism term · PlantSage glossary
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Glycoside defined
— Sugar-bound plant compounds.
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The definition
Compounds where a non-sugar molecule (aglycone) is attached to one or more sugar units. Many heart-active and laxative plant compounds are glycosides. The sugar improves water solubility and modulates delivery.
Mechanism
Gut enzymes or microbiota cleave the sugar to release the active aglycone. Cardiac glycosides increase heart contractility; anthraquinone glycosides cause large-bowel laxation.
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Example plants
Classic species in this category from the PlantSage archive.
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See also
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