The non-carbohydrate portion of a glycoside molecule; the active ingredient remaining when sugar is removed from a natural compound.
From 'a-' (without) plus 'glycone' (from Greek 'glykys' meaning 'sweet'). Alternative spelling of 'aglycon,' used in biochemistry and pharmacology.
Aglycones include some famous compounds—the aglycone of digitalis glycoside is digitoxin, a powerful heart medication that comes from the foxglove plant, showing how nature hides potent drugs in sweet packages.
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