| Goldenseal Herb Benefits, Side Effects April 11, 2008, zhion@zhion.com |
| ABOUT GOLDENSEAL Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis) has been one of the best-selling American herbs in the United States. [8] Goldenseal belongs to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). [3] It is an herbaceous perennial. |
ABOUT GOLDENSEAL
Goldenseal is a Native American medicinal plant introduced to early settlers by Cherokee Indians. [2]
It is also called as ox-eye daisy, golden daisy, maudlinwort, moon daisy, eye balm, yellow root,
orange root, eye-root, eye root and ground raspberry. [1] Goldenseal can be found in moist forest
soils and damp meadows. [5] This plant is so bitter that it has almost no natural predators. [4]
WHAT ARE GOLDENSEAL'S BENEFITS
Goldenseal's benefits can be attributed to its alkaloids. These alkaloids are strongly astringent.
Traditionally, goldenseal has been applied topically to treat minor skin wounds and cold sores. It has
been taken orally to subside diarrhea and to boost the immune system. [1] Once, it was also used
as strong tea for indigestion. Today, it is used to help symptoms of the cold and flu. Goldenseal is
commonly combined with Echinacea to treat cold and flu symptoms, especially coughs and sore
throats. Lozenges containing goldenseal, echinacea and zinc are also popular.
RESEARCH STUDIES- FACTS AND FINDINGS
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
The medicinal benefits of goldenseal are derived from two compounds known as berberine
(anticholinergic, antisecretory, and antimicrobial) and beta-hydrastine (astringent). [9] These two
active components make goldenseal to have benefits on mild pathological conditions like cold and flu.
[9] Other alkaloids include tetrahydroberberastine, canadaline, berberine, hydrastine, and
canadine.[12]
IMMUNE FUNCTION BOOSTING
Research finds that goldenseal may enhance immune function by increasing antigen-specific
immunoglobulin production. Researchers injected rats with antigen keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)
and re-exposed them to KLH after the initial exposure. They also treated these rats with goldenseal
root extract for 6 weeks. They noticed that goldenseal-treated rats showed an increase in the
primary IgM response during the first 2 weeks of treatment. [6]
ANTI-MICROBIAL ACTIVITIES
Goldenseal was found to have berberine. Berberine is a plant alkaloid with a long history of
medicinal use in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. Berberine extracts and decoctions have
demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against a variety of organisms including bacteria,
viruses, fungi, protozoans, helminths, and chlamydia. Currently, the predominant clinical uses of
berberine include bacterial diarrhea, intestinal parasite infections, and ocular trachoma infections. [7]
In a study, researchers investigated the anti-microbial activities of nine compounds from a
commercially available sample of the roots of goldenseal: 6,8-di- C-methylluteolin 7-methyl ether (1)
and 6- C-methylluteolin 7-methyl ether (2), berberine (3), beta-hydrastine (4), canadine (5),
canadaline (6), isocorypalmine (7), canadinic acid (8), and beta-sitosterol 3- O-beta- D-glucoside (9).
They found that berberine (3) and, to a lesser extent, 1 and 2, showed antimicrobial activity against
the oral pathogens Streptococcus mutans and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Berberine (3) exhibited an
additive antimicrobial effect against S. mutans in combination with 1. [13]
RELAXATION EFFECTS
The goldenseal's benefits on cold and flu may be further enhanced by its relaxation activities. Study
has demonstrated the relaxant effect of a total ethanolic extract of hydrastis on carbachol
precontracted isolated guinea pig trachea. And, the hydrastis extract, at concentrations between
0.01 and 0.1 microg/ml, potentiated the relaxant effect of isoprenaline on carbachol-precontracted
isolated guinea pig trachea. [9]
GOLDENSEAL SIDE EFFECTS
Serious adverse interactions may result from the concomitant ingestion of goldenseal supplements
and drugs that are CYP2D6 and CYP3A4/5 substrates. Researchers assigned twelve healthy
volunteers to receive goldenseal for 28 days. They also administered the volunteers with probe drug
cocktails of midazolam and caffeine, followed 24 hours later by chlorzoxazone and debrisoquin (INN,
debrisoquine), before (baseline) and at the end of supplementation. They found that goldenseal
supplements strongly inhibited cytochrome P450 CYP2D6 and CYP3A4/5 activity. [10]
The other side effects of goldenseal include skin, mouth, throat and gastric irritation. It may also
cause nausea and diarrhea. Topical application of goldenseal or berberine may lead to photo-toxic
reaction, after exposure to sunlight or artificial light sources emitting UVA. [14]
Goldenseal is a potent plant. Do not use goldenseal without consulting a physician.
CONTENT VARIATIONS
Alkaloid content of goldenseal products varies widely. Researchers purchased 20 goldenseal
products from local pharmacies or health food stores. They then assayed the hydrastine and
berberine content, alkaloid ratio, and the total alkaloid content in these products. They found that
the range of hydrastine concentration is 0-2.93% and that of berberine is 0.825-5.86%. Only 10 of
17 products met proposed United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards for the hydrastine and
berberine content of goldenseal root. [11] In another study, researchers determined that berberine
content in 10 goldenseal samples using thin-layer chromatography (TLC). They found that five of
these samples contained both hydrastine and berberine, four contained berberine and one did not
contain either of these alkaloids. They verified the TLC results with HPLC HPLC analysis. [8]
WHAT ARE THE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS OF GOLDEN SEAL?
A. Herbal harvest Echinacea with Golden Seal Root 450 mg
Based on its label, the serving size is 1 capsule. The amount per serving is as follows:
echinacea/goldenseal blend 450 mg. This blend contains whole plant of echinacea purpurea, whole
plant of echinacea angustifolia, root of goldenseal (hydrastis canadensis), root of burdock (arctium
lappa), root of gentian (gentiana lutea), fruit of cayenne pepper (capsicum frutescens) and the aerial
part of wood betony (betonica officinalis). take 1 capsule three to six times daily, preferably with a
meal.
B. Nature Made Echinacea-Golden Seal Supplement, Softgels.
Based on its label, the serving size is 1 softgel. One serving contains 180 mg of Echinacea root, and
11.25 mg of goldenseal root extract. Take 1 softgel with a meal, 3 times a day.
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR
IMMEDIATELY. THE PUBLISHER DOES NOT GUARRANTEE ANY PRODUCT QUALITY AND THE ACCURACY OF THIS
ARTICLE. ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2008 zhion. DO NOT COPY OR TRANSFER TO OTHER WEB-SITES OR OTHER
TYPES OF PUBLICATIONS.
REFERENCE [1] Goldenseal, Drug Guide, Yahoo Online Publication, October 09, 2005. [2] Goldenseal (Hydrastis
canadenis), Herbal Information Center, Kcweb Online Publication, October 09, 2005. [3] Goldenseal, Herbalgram
Online publication, October 09, 2005. [4] goldenseal, North Carolina Ginseng & Goldenseal Co. Online
Publication, October 09, 2005. [5] Goldenseal, Purdue Guide to Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Online Publication,
October 09, 2005. [6] Rehman J et al, Increased production of antigen-specific immunoglobulins G and M
following in vivo treatment with the medicinal plants Echinacea angustifolia and Hydrastis canadensis. Immunol
Lett. 1999 Jun 1;68(2-3):391-5. [7] Berberine. Altern Med Rev. 2000 Apr;5(2):175-7. [8] Govindan M and
Govindan G A convenient method for the determination of the quality of goldenseal. Fitoterapia. 2000
Jun;71(3):232-5. [9] Abdel-Haq H et al, Relaxant effects of Hydrastis canadensis L. and its major alkaloids on
guinea pig isolated trachea. Pharmacol Toxicol. 2000 Nov;87(5):218-22. [10] Gurley BJ et al, In vivo effects of
goldenseal, kava kava, black cohosh, and valerian on human cytochrome P450 1A2, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4/5
phenotypes. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2005 May;77(5):415-26. [11] Edwards DJ and Draper EJ Variations in alkaloid
content of herbal products containing goldenseal. J Am Pharm Assoc (Wash DC). 2003 May-Jun;43(3):419-23.
[12] Weber HA et al, Chemical comparison of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) root powder from three
commercial suppliers. J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Dec 3;51(25):7352-8. [13] Hwang BY et al, Antimicrobial
constituents from goldenseal (the Rhizomes of Hydrastis canadensis) against selected oral pathogens. Planta
Med. 2003 Jul;69(7):623-7. [14] Inbaraj JJ et al, Photochemistry and photocytotoxicity of alkaloids from
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) 1. Berberine. Chem Res Toxicol 2001 Nov;14(11):1529-34.
Goldenseal is a Native American medicinal plant introduced to early settlers by Cherokee Indians. [2]
It is also called as ox-eye daisy, golden daisy, maudlinwort, moon daisy, eye balm, yellow root,
orange root, eye-root, eye root and ground raspberry. [1] Goldenseal can be found in moist forest
soils and damp meadows. [5] This plant is so bitter that it has almost no natural predators. [4]
WHAT ARE GOLDENSEAL'S BENEFITS
Goldenseal's benefits can be attributed to its alkaloids. These alkaloids are strongly astringent.
Traditionally, goldenseal has been applied topically to treat minor skin wounds and cold sores. It has
been taken orally to subside diarrhea and to boost the immune system. [1] Once, it was also used
as strong tea for indigestion. Today, it is used to help symptoms of the cold and flu. Goldenseal is
commonly combined with Echinacea to treat cold and flu symptoms, especially coughs and sore
throats. Lozenges containing goldenseal, echinacea and zinc are also popular.
RESEARCH STUDIES- FACTS AND FINDINGS
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
The medicinal benefits of goldenseal are derived from two compounds known as berberine
(anticholinergic, antisecretory, and antimicrobial) and beta-hydrastine (astringent). [9] These two
active components make goldenseal to have benefits on mild pathological conditions like cold and flu.
[9] Other alkaloids include tetrahydroberberastine, canadaline, berberine, hydrastine, and
canadine.[12]
IMMUNE FUNCTION BOOSTING
Research finds that goldenseal may enhance immune function by increasing antigen-specific
immunoglobulin production. Researchers injected rats with antigen keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH)
and re-exposed them to KLH after the initial exposure. They also treated these rats with goldenseal
root extract for 6 weeks. They noticed that goldenseal-treated rats showed an increase in the
primary IgM response during the first 2 weeks of treatment. [6]
ANTI-MICROBIAL ACTIVITIES
Goldenseal was found to have berberine. Berberine is a plant alkaloid with a long history of
medicinal use in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. Berberine extracts and decoctions have
demonstrated significant antimicrobial activity against a variety of organisms including bacteria,
viruses, fungi, protozoans, helminths, and chlamydia. Currently, the predominant clinical uses of
berberine include bacterial diarrhea, intestinal parasite infections, and ocular trachoma infections. [7]
In a study, researchers investigated the anti-microbial activities of nine compounds from a
commercially available sample of the roots of goldenseal: 6,8-di- C-methylluteolin 7-methyl ether (1)
and 6- C-methylluteolin 7-methyl ether (2), berberine (3), beta-hydrastine (4), canadine (5),
canadaline (6), isocorypalmine (7), canadinic acid (8), and beta-sitosterol 3- O-beta- D-glucoside (9).
They found that berberine (3) and, to a lesser extent, 1 and 2, showed antimicrobial activity against
the oral pathogens Streptococcus mutans and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Berberine (3) exhibited an
additive antimicrobial effect against S. mutans in combination with 1. [13]
RELAXATION EFFECTS
The goldenseal's benefits on cold and flu may be further enhanced by its relaxation activities. Study
has demonstrated the relaxant effect of a total ethanolic extract of hydrastis on carbachol
precontracted isolated guinea pig trachea. And, the hydrastis extract, at concentrations between
0.01 and 0.1 microg/ml, potentiated the relaxant effect of isoprenaline on carbachol-precontracted
isolated guinea pig trachea. [9]
GOLDENSEAL SIDE EFFECTS
Serious adverse interactions may result from the concomitant ingestion of goldenseal supplements
and drugs that are CYP2D6 and CYP3A4/5 substrates. Researchers assigned twelve healthy
volunteers to receive goldenseal for 28 days. They also administered the volunteers with probe drug
cocktails of midazolam and caffeine, followed 24 hours later by chlorzoxazone and debrisoquin (INN,
debrisoquine), before (baseline) and at the end of supplementation. They found that goldenseal
supplements strongly inhibited cytochrome P450 CYP2D6 and CYP3A4/5 activity. [10]
The other side effects of goldenseal include skin, mouth, throat and gastric irritation. It may also
cause nausea and diarrhea. Topical application of goldenseal or berberine may lead to photo-toxic
reaction, after exposure to sunlight or artificial light sources emitting UVA. [14]
Goldenseal is a potent plant. Do not use goldenseal without consulting a physician.
CONTENT VARIATIONS
Alkaloid content of goldenseal products varies widely. Researchers purchased 20 goldenseal
products from local pharmacies or health food stores. They then assayed the hydrastine and
berberine content, alkaloid ratio, and the total alkaloid content in these products. They found that
the range of hydrastine concentration is 0-2.93% and that of berberine is 0.825-5.86%. Only 10 of
17 products met proposed United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards for the hydrastine and
berberine content of goldenseal root. [11] In another study, researchers determined that berberine
content in 10 goldenseal samples using thin-layer chromatography (TLC). They found that five of
these samples contained both hydrastine and berberine, four contained berberine and one did not
contain either of these alkaloids. They verified the TLC results with HPLC HPLC analysis. [8]
WHAT ARE THE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS OF GOLDEN SEAL?
A. Herbal harvest Echinacea with Golden Seal Root 450 mg
Based on its label, the serving size is 1 capsule. The amount per serving is as follows:
echinacea/goldenseal blend 450 mg. This blend contains whole plant of echinacea purpurea, whole
plant of echinacea angustifolia, root of goldenseal (hydrastis canadensis), root of burdock (arctium
lappa), root of gentian (gentiana lutea), fruit of cayenne pepper (capsicum frutescens) and the aerial
part of wood betony (betonica officinalis). take 1 capsule three to six times daily, preferably with a
meal.
B. Nature Made Echinacea-Golden Seal Supplement, Softgels.
Based on its label, the serving size is 1 softgel. One serving contains 180 mg of Echinacea root, and
11.25 mg of goldenseal root extract. Take 1 softgel with a meal, 3 times a day.
THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION, CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR
IMMEDIATELY. THE PUBLISHER DOES NOT GUARRANTEE ANY PRODUCT QUALITY AND THE ACCURACY OF THIS
ARTICLE. ALL RIGHT RESERVED 2008 zhion. DO NOT COPY OR TRANSFER TO OTHER WEB-SITES OR OTHER
TYPES OF PUBLICATIONS.
REFERENCE [1] Goldenseal, Drug Guide, Yahoo Online Publication, October 09, 2005. [2] Goldenseal (Hydrastis
canadenis), Herbal Information Center, Kcweb Online Publication, October 09, 2005. [3] Goldenseal, Herbalgram
Online publication, October 09, 2005. [4] goldenseal, North Carolina Ginseng & Goldenseal Co. Online
Publication, October 09, 2005. [5] Goldenseal, Purdue Guide to Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Online Publication,
October 09, 2005. [6] Rehman J et al, Increased production of antigen-specific immunoglobulins G and M
following in vivo treatment with the medicinal plants Echinacea angustifolia and Hydrastis canadensis. Immunol
Lett. 1999 Jun 1;68(2-3):391-5. [7] Berberine. Altern Med Rev. 2000 Apr;5(2):175-7. [8] Govindan M and
Govindan G A convenient method for the determination of the quality of goldenseal. Fitoterapia. 2000
Jun;71(3):232-5. [9] Abdel-Haq H et al, Relaxant effects of Hydrastis canadensis L. and its major alkaloids on
guinea pig isolated trachea. Pharmacol Toxicol. 2000 Nov;87(5):218-22. [10] Gurley BJ et al, In vivo effects of
goldenseal, kava kava, black cohosh, and valerian on human cytochrome P450 1A2, 2D6, 2E1, and 3A4/5
phenotypes. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2005 May;77(5):415-26. [11] Edwards DJ and Draper EJ Variations in alkaloid
content of herbal products containing goldenseal. J Am Pharm Assoc (Wash DC). 2003 May-Jun;43(3):419-23.
[12] Weber HA et al, Chemical comparison of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) root powder from three
commercial suppliers. J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Dec 3;51(25):7352-8. [13] Hwang BY et al, Antimicrobial
constituents from goldenseal (the Rhizomes of Hydrastis canadensis) against selected oral pathogens. Planta
Med. 2003 Jul;69(7):623-7. [14] Inbaraj JJ et al, Photochemistry and photocytotoxicity of alkaloids from
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) 1. Berberine. Chem Res Toxicol 2001 Nov;14(11):1529-34.
 |  |  |  |  |
