Glikozitlerini

Glikozitlerini, often referred to as glycosides in English, are a broad class of organic compounds that occur naturally in plants and some animals. The defining characteristic of a glycoside is its structure, which consists of a sugar molecule (a glycosyl group) linked to a non-sugar component, known as the aglycone or genin. This linkage is typically a glycosidic bond, formed between the anomeric carbon of the sugar and a hydroxyl group of the aglycone.

The properties and functions of glycosides are highly diverse, largely depending on the nature of the aglycone. The sugar moiety often influences the solubility and transport of the compound within an organism. Many glycosides are biologically active and play important roles in natural defense mechanisms for plants, acting as toxins, pigments, or signaling molecules. In humans and animals, some glycosides are used medicinally. For instance, cardiac glycosides, like digoxin, are derived from plants and are used to treat heart conditions. Saponins, another group of glycosides, are known for their detergent-like properties and can be found in many food plants. The study of glycosides, or glycosidology, is a significant area within phytochemistry and pharmacology.