Metabolism in vitro of digitoxigenin by rat liver homogenates

Digitoxigenin is metabolized in vitro by rat liver homogenates and subcellular fractions. No metabolism by cardiac tissue homogenates was observed, with only limited conversion by kidney tissue homogenates. The primary product is 3-epidigitoxigenin, with smaller amounts of 3-dehydrodigitoxigenin and more polar metabolites being detected. The microsomal hydroxylation system can be induced by treatment of the animals with phenobarbital.