Periplogenin and desoxostrophanthidin are primarily recognized for their role in the study of cardiac glycosides and their mechanisms of action. These compounds are used in research to understand their effects on the sodium-potassium ATPase pump, which is crucial for maintaining cellular electrolyte balance and cardiac function. By inhibiting this pump, they increase intracellular sodium levels, leading to elevated calcium concentrations that enhance myocardial contractility. This makes them valuable tools in investigating heart failure treatments and developing new therapeutic agents. Additionally, they are studied for their potential anti-cancer properties, as they may induce apoptosis in certain cancer cell lines. Their applications extend to pharmacological studies aimed at exploring their toxicity, metabolism, and structure-activity relationships to optimize their therapeutic potential.