Nine cardiotonic steroids, six 17beta-cardenolides (2, 4, 6-9) and three 17alpha-cardenolides (1, 3, 5) have been identified from the chloroform and chloroform-methanol extracts of Periploca graeca L. (Asclepiadaceae) stems. Among these, compound 5, the 17alpha-isomer of periplocin 6, was identified