Definition: Cyclopentanophenanthrenes with a 6-membered lactone ring attached at the 17-position and SUGARS attached at the 3-position. They are found in BUFONIDAE and often possess cardiotonic properties.
bufalin [ bufalin, (3alpha,5beta)-isomer ] cardiotonic; powerful anesthetic & one of the active constituents of the Chinese drug ch'an su(senso); in Japan prepared from skin of Bufo bufo garfarizans; RN given refers to (3beta,5beta)-isomer