Final answer:
Digitalis is an example of a cardiotonic glycoside used in the treatment of heart conditions by increasing the strength of heart muscle contractions and is known for its positive inotropic effect.
Step-by-step explanation:
An example of a cardiotonic glycoside, also known as a cardiac glycoside, is digitalis. Digitalis is a key compound found in medications that are used to treat various heart conditions. This substance works by increasing the force of heart muscle contractions, which can help in managing conditions like heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Cardiotonic glycosides work by inhibiting the sodium-potassium ATPase, leading to an increase in intracellular sodium. This results in an indirect increase in intracellular calcium concentration that aids in the heart muscle contracting more forcefully, a phenomenon known as positive inotropy.
Other cardiac glycosides include digitoxin and ouabain, which are used for similar therapeutic purposes. These compounds are all considered to be helpful in the management of certain cardiovascular diseases. They are known to undergo hydrolysis, which is the chemical breakdown of a compound due to a reaction with water, enabling them to exert their therapeutic effects.