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GLYCOSIDES
Definition [adapted from Lewis’ Dictionary of Toxicology 1998] Glycoside: A compound yielding a sugar (most often a pentose or hexose) and a non-sugar (aglycone) on hydrolysis. They are produced naturally in plants by combining diverse hydroxy compounds with sugars, occurring more widely and abundantly than alkaloids.
The biologically-active part of glycosides is often the aglycone. The sugar moiety may often be important for absorption and penetration of biological membranes.
References: Review literature Majak W (1992) Mammalian metabolism of toxic glycosides from plants. J. Toxicol. – Toxin Reviews 11:1-40.