Quabain

(pronounced WAH-bane ), also known as g-strophanthin , is a potent cardiac glycoside and steroid hormone naturally found in both African plants and mammals. Historically used by African hunters as an arrow poison due to its rapid effect on the heart, it is now primarily used as a research tool for studying cell signaling and, in some countries, as a medication for heart conditions. How it Works: The Na+/K+-ATPase Pump

: It is extracted from the seeds of Strophanthus gratus and the bark of the Acocanthera ouabaio tree.

Because of its role in cellular communication, researchers at institutions like ScienceDirect and Frontiers are exploring its potential beyond heart health:

: It binds to and stops the pump, causing sodium to build up inside the cell.

: High doses have shown an ability to inhibit the growth of certain tumor cells, including thyroid and lung cancers.