Goldenseal Root
Hydrastis canadensis
“The applicable parts of goldenseal are the dried rhizome and root. The alkaloids hydrastine, berberine, canadine, and canadaline are the principle active constituents in goldenseal. However, these alkaloids are poorly absorbed when given orally and might not reach adequate concentrations to have significant pharmacological activity in humans. The isolated constituents have a variety of pharmacological effects. The berberine constituent has antimicrobial effects including antibacterial, antifungal, and some antimycobacterial and antiprotozoal activity. Berberine has activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Shigella boydii, Vibrio cholerae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum gypseum, Cryptococcus neoformans, Sporotrichum schenckii, Entamoeba histolytica, and Giardia lamblia. The constituents canadine and canadaline have activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Both berberine and canadaline have similar activity against Escherichia coli, but canadaline has been shown to have more activity against gram-positive organisms than berberine. Preliminary research suggests berberine might inhibit bacterial sortase, a protein responsible for anchoring gram-positive bacteria to cell membranes. These effects have not been demonstrated specifically for goldenseal. Due to the poor oral absorption of these alkaloids, goldenseal preparations might not be capable of achieving alkaloid serum concentrations high enough to be effective in humans. However, berberine from goldenseal is thought to concentrate in the bladder. Theoretically, goldenseal could potentially have activity against the binding of urinary tract pathogens, such as Escherichia coli, to bladder walls. There is preliminary evidence goldenseal might stimulate immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibody production. Berberine also has antihypertensive, inotropic, and antiarrhythmic properties. Berberine appears to have alpha-adrenergic blocking activity. Preliminary clinical research suggests that berberine might reduce arrhythmias and improve left ventricular function in patients with heart failure. Preliminary research suggests that berberine might also lower blood glucose and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Berberine might also inhibit aldose reductase. Other preliminary research suggests berberine might have antitumor effects and might protect the liver from hepatotoxins. Preliminary research suggests that berberine blocks production of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 (IL1)-beta and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha by blocking nuclear factor-kappaB, the transcription factor responsible for regulation of cytokine production. Berberine has potential usefulness in treating alcoholic liver disease, which is associated with increased levels of IL1-beta and TNF-alpha. Preliminary research suggests berberine selectively inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression. Berberine appears to reduce the secretion of gastric acid. Whether goldenseal has the same clinical effects as berberine is unknown. Berberine appears to undergo phase I hepatic metabolism. It also appears to be a substrate of nuclear transporters such as P-glycoprotein and organic cation transporter. Theoretically, this might limit its oral bioavailability.”
- http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/Search.aspx?cs=NONMP&s=ND&pt=100&id=943&ds=&name=GOLDENSEAL&searchid=62906669
