bufadienolide

American

[byoo-fuh-dahy-en-l-ahyd] / ˌbju fə daɪˈɛn lˌaɪd /

noun

Biochemistry.

any of a family of steroid lactones, occurring in toad venom and squill, that possess cardiac-stimulating and antitumor activity.

Etymology

Origin of bufadienolide

1965–70; from bufa-20, 22-dienolide a chemical component of such lactones; compare Latin būfō toad

Example Sentences

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Photo by Deborah Hutchinson An Asian relative of the gartersnake, Rhabdophis tigrinus, was conclusively shown to sequester bufadienolide toxins from toads in 2007 by Debbie Hutchinson and colleagues, although it was suspected for years beforehand.

From Scientific American • Aug. 21, 2012

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023