Hydrastis canadensis. Goldenseal, Yellow root   Family: Ranunculaceae    
PART USED: Underground parts- gathered in Autumn.
TASTE: Very bitter ODOR: Strong, characteristic
ACTIONS
GROUP: The Skin & Mucous Membranes- Astringents
1. Astringent
2. Nerve tonic. Bitter tonic.[3] Stimulant to involuntary muscle.
3. Alterative.[3] Anti-inflammatory.[3]
4. Hemostatic.[1,2,3]
5. Adjuvant.
6. Antiseptic.
7. Anti-catarrhal. Mucous membrane tonic.
8. Hypertensive.
9. Oxytocic. Parturient. Reproductive tonic.
10. Restorative.
11. Venous circulation tonic.
12. Mild laxative.[3]
13. Stomachic.
INDICATIONS
1. Digestive disorders, especially atonic dyspepsia with symptoms of hepatic disorder. Anorexia. Gastritis.[3] Dyspepsia.[3] Inflammatory digestive disorders - gastritis, peptic or gastric ulceration. Colitis.[1,2,3] Peptic ulceration.[3]
2. Menorrhagia.[3] Uterine hemorrhage. Dysmenorrhea. Disorders due to infection (local use also). Leukorrhoea. Functional ovarian disorders. Ovarian inflammation. Benign tumors including fibroids. As a parturient. Menopausal discomforts. Post partum hemorrhage. Menstrual disorders.[3]
3. Catarrhal conditions of the upper respiratory tract. Catarrhal deafness and tinnitus. All catarrhal conditions especially with thick yellow sputum.
4. Eczema. Pruritis. Wounds. Ulcers.
5. Hyperaemias, for example cerebral or uterine
6. Nervous exhaustion.
7. Cystitis, urethritis.
8. Catarrhal conditions.
9. Debility.
10. Conjunctivitis.
Topically- Conjunctivitis.[1,2,3] Eczema.[3] Inflammation of the ear.[3] Catarrhal deafness and tinnitus.
CONTRAINDICATIONS- High blood pressure, and in pregnancy,[1] other than as a parturient.[2]
COMBINATIONS
PREPARATIONS
Dried underground parts  0.5-1 g. Powdered root 0.5-1.2 g.[3] Also by decoction.
Fluid extract (BHP1949) 1:1 in 60% alcohol 0.3-1 ml.[3]
Fluid extract 1:2 in 60% alcohol.[4]
Tincture  1:10 in 60% alcohol 2-4 ml.[3]
Local: Ear drops. Eye-wash. Gargle. Skin lotion.[1,2]
    
ORIGIN: North America
DESCRIPTION: The rhizome is yellowish-brown, about 5 cm long and 1 cm thick, knotty and twisted, wrinkled longitudinally and encircled by leaf scars. Rootlets frequently present in abundance. Fracture short, showing a dark yellow cut surface, thick bark, large pith and broad medullary rays.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
Research
The alkaloids are reported to have anticonvulsant acitvity on the mouse small intestine and uterus.[1]
Berberine and hydrastine have similar actions, inlcuding stimulating bile in humans, and hypotensive and sedative effects in animals.[2] Berberine is actibacterial, amoebicidal and if effective against diarrhea (see Barberry)
References
[1] Haginiwa, J. and Harada, M. (1962) Yakugaku Zasshi 82, 726
[2] Preininger, V. in "The Alkaloids Vol. XV", Ed. R. H. F. Manske. Pub. Academic Press (1975)

Relaxant effects of Hydrastis canadensis L. and its major alkaloids on guinea pig isolated trachea.
Abdel-Haq H, Cometa MF, Palmery M, Leone MG, Silvestrini B, Saso L.
Abstract
Hydrastis or goldenseal, one of the most popular medicinal herbs in the U.S.A., is used in mild pathological conditions like cold and flu, based on the pharmacological properties of its active components, berberine (anticholinergic, antisecretory, and antimicrobial) and beta-hydrastine (astringent). We previously reported the relaxant effect of a total ethanolic extract of hydrastis on carbachol precontracted isolated guinea pig trachea, and with the present study, using the same experimental model, we aimed at evaluating the contribution of its major alkaloids, berberine, beta-hydrastine, canadine and canadaline to the total effect. Furthermore, using specific pharmacological tools, like timolol and xanthine amine congener, we attempted to elucidate its mechanism of action. The EC50 of berberine, beta-hydrastine, canadine and canadaline, were 34.2+/-0.6, 72.8+/-0.6, 11.9+/-1.2 and 2.4+/-0.8 microg/ml, respectively. Timolol effectively antagonized the effect of canadine (EC50 = 19.7+/-3.0 microg/ml) and canadaline (EC50 = 17.1+/-1.2 microg/ml) but not that of berberine and beta-hydrastine, while xanthine amine congener antagonized the effect of beta-hydrastine (EC50 = 149.9+/-35.3 microg/ml) and canadaline (EC50 = 26.1+/-3.0 microg/ml) but not that of berberine and canadine. Besides, 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. These data, which are insufficient to draw definite mechanistic conclusions, indicate that the aforementioned alkaloids may act by interacting with adrenergic and adenosinic receptors.
PMID: 11129501 Pharmacol Toxicol. 2000 Nov;87(5):218-22. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) extracts synergistically enhance the antibacterial activity of berberine via efflux pump inhibition
Keivan A. Ettefagh, Johnna T. Burns, Hiyas A. Junio, Glenn W. Kaatz, and Nadja B. Cech,*
Abstract
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) is used to combat inflammation and infection. Its antibacterial activity in vitro has been attributed to its alkaloids, the most abundant of which is berberine. The goal of these studies was to compare the composition, antibacterial activity, and efflux pump inhibitory activity of ethanolic extracts prepared from roots and aerial portions of H. canadensis. Ethanolic extracts were prepared separately from roots and aerial portions of six H. canadensis plants. Extracts were analyzed for alkaloid concentration using LC-MS and tested for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (NCTC 8325-4) and for inhibition of ethidium bromide efflux. Synergistic antibacterial activity was observed between the aerial extract (FIC 0.375) and to a lesser extent the root extract (FIC 0.750) and berberine. The aerial extract inhibited ethidium bromide efflux from wild-type S. aureus, but had no effect on the expulsion of this compound from an isogenic derivative deleted for norA. Our studies indicate that the roots of H. canadensis contain higher levels of alkaloids than the aerial portions, but the aerial portions synergize with berberine more significantly than the roots. Furthermore, extracts from the aerial portions of H. canadensis contain efflux pump inhibitors, while efflux pump inhibitory activity was not observed for the root extract. The three most abundant H. canadensis alkaloids, berberine, hydrastine and canadine, are not responsible for the efflux pump inhibitory activity of the extracts from H. canadensis aerial portions.
Planta Med. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2011 May 24.
Published in final edited form as:
Planta Med. 2011 May; 77(8): 835–840.
Published online 2010 Dec 14. doi: 10.1055/s-0030-1250606
PMCID: PMC3100400
NIHMSID: NIHMS280725 PMID: 21157683 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Protective effects of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity through inhibition of CYP2E1 in rats
Katsunori Yamaura*, Maki Shimada, Noriyuki Nakayama, Koichi Ueno
Abstract
Background: Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) inhibits various cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoforms such as CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and CYP3A in vitro. High doses of acetaminophen (APAP) generate the highly reactive intermediate, N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI), catalyzed mainly by CYP2E1. The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of orally administrated goldenseal against APAP-induced acute liver failure (ALF) via inhibition of CYP2E1. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats were treated orally with goldenseal (300 and 1000 mg/kg) 2, 18, and 26 h before and 6 h after oral APAP (400 mg/kg) administration. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities as well as serum APAP concentration were evaluated. Results: Goldenseal extract inhibited CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP2E1, and CYP3A activity, and the inhibitory effect on CYP2E1 was the strongest (IC 50 4.32 µg/mL). Treatment with goldenseal (300 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the APAP-induced increase in serum AST and ALT, and the hepatoprotective effect of goldenseal was stronger than that of silymarin (200 mg/kg). Moreover, serum APAP concentration was increased by goldenseal treatment, presumably as a result of the inhibitory effect of goldenseal on the metabolism of APAP to NAPQI. Conclusion: These results suggest that goldenseal ameliorates APAP-induced ALF and that this protection can likely be attributed to the inhibition of CYP2E1 activity, which generates the highly reactive intermediate of APAP.
Pharmacognosy Magazine
Year : 2011 | Volume : 3 | Issue : 4 | Page : 250-255 DOI: 10.4103/0974-8490.89745 phcogres.com