Goldenseal (Yi Wen Ni, Purdue College of Pharmacy

Goldenseal Yi Wen Ni Student pharmacist Spring 2022

Scientific name: Hydrastis canadensis

Common names: goldenseal, yellow root, orange root, yellow puccoon, ground raspberry, eye balm, eye root, jaundice root, and Indian turmeric

Medical Uses for Goldenseal Today

Today goldenseal is normally found as “goldenseal” in the supplement sections of different drug and/or grocery stores. It is used to treat a variety of conditions, including indigestion, symptoms of flu/cold, mild eye irritation, ulcers, and eye and/or ear infections.

Suggested Dosing

Lexicomp recommends 250mg to 1gram, three times daily. But some labels may even suggest higher dosing. Women who are pregnant or lactating should not take this supplement.

Background/History

Originally goldenseal was not only for medical use. The Native Indians also used this plant as a dye. By using the root, yellow dye can be made. The root itself is typically one to three inches long and has many bright yellow filaments. Sometimes a red berry (looks like a raspberry) will also sprout in July, hence the name “ground raspberry”. Some medical conditions the Native used Goldenseal to treat were inflammation and eye infections. Lastly, it is also used as an insect repellent.

Mechanism of Action

There is no information on exactly how it affects the body to treat the different conditions. However, it is just known that goldenseal is made of alkaloids, but isn’t very effectively absorbed when taken orally.

Effectiveness

Based on clinical trials, there is no solid evidence that goldenseal may be effective in any treatments. For example, it is said that the Berberine in goldenseal plants supposedly helps treat Type 2 diabetes, but there is not enough information on how it works, either via CYP450 or other mechanisms.

THE PICTURE ON THE LEFT SHOWS THE PLANT “GOLDENSEAL”. IT DISPLAYS THE YELLOW ROOTS COMMONLY USED.

Available Dosing Forms

⚘ Capsules ⚘ Teabags ⚘ Lotions ⚘ Eyewashes ⚘ Sprays

After long term use ( >two years) of the root of Goldenseal, there is a chance of DNA damage, particularly non-neoplastic hepatic lesions due to what is believed by inhibiting topoisomerase. Pregnant women should not take Goldenseal.

Article/Study

A study was done to see if different conditions can speed up the degradation process of Hydrastis Canadensis. The root of this plant is usually what is used for medical purposes. When the root is degraded, it goes from its normal healthy yellow color to a darker brownish color. In this study, the biomarkers selected are metabolites from the root. The three chosen were berberine, hydrastine, and canadine. Then tests were done by putting them in different temperatures and in different lightings. In the end, when comparing the results to the control group after 6 months, it shows that there is no significant effect from light or temperature that can speed up the degradation.

Interacts with many CYP3A4 inhibitors and certain blood pressure lowing agents.

CYP3A4 inhibitors e.g.: aripiprazole, cyclosporine, dofetilide, flibanserin, midazolam, and nimodipine

Other common drugs: metformin, oseltamivir and losartan.

MY OPINION: There is not enough research to know all adverse effects. However, if taking Goldenseal in the suggested dose, adverse effects are rare. When taken in high doses, though rare, it may induce nausea, anxiety, depressions or possibly paralysis. It is also suggested to be careful taking this if you have cardiovascular disease due to possible effects on blood pressure.

DUE TO THE VERY LOW AMOUNT OF RESEARCH AND CLINICAL TRIALS DONE ON

GOLDENSEAL, I BELIEVE IT’S NOT SAFE TO TAKE IT RIGHT AWAY WITHOUT CONSULTING A PHYSICIAN. THERE IS QUITE A

LONG LIST OF COMMON DRUGS THAT HAVE

DRUG INTERACTIONS WITH GOLDENSEAL. I RECOMMEND LOOKING INTO OTHER OTC

MEDICATIONS INSTEAD OF THIS

SUPPLEMENT. ESPECIALLY IF IT IS FOR A COMMON COLD OR INDIGESTION

~YW Ni

REFERANCES

Goldenseal. Lexi-Drugs. Lexicomp. Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. Riverwoods, IL. Accessed February 20, 2021. http://online.lexi.com

Goldenseal. Interactions. Lexicomp. Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. Riverwoods, IL. Accessed August 24, 2016. http://online.lexi.com

Khin M, Cech NB, Kellogg JJ, Caesar LK. Chemical Evaluation of the Effects of Storage Conditions on the Botanical Goldenseal using Marker-based and Metabolomics Approaches. Yale J Biol Med. 2020;93(2):265-275. Published 2020 Jun 29.

Lloyd JU . Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis). HerbRally. Published June 18, 2020 Accessed February 24,2021. https://www.herbrally.com/monographs/goldenseal