| PDF (Download) | Antimicrobial ActivityGoldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) | | Date: June 15, 1999 | HC# 033091-158 |
Re: Goldenseal's Antimicrobial Activity Tested
Scassochio F, Cometa MF, and Palmery M. Antimicrobial Activity of Hydrastis canadensis Extract and its major Isolated Alkaloids Fitoterapia. :.
Hydrastis canadensis L. (Ranunculaceae), a small perennial plant of North America's damp forests, has been used traditionally by the Cherokee Indians for the treatment of wounds and ulcers. In modern phytotherapy, it is used in France, Germany, Spain, Australia and Great Britain to treat infections of the gastrointestinal, urogenital and respiratory tracts.
The scientific basis for these medicinal uses has, to date, been unclear because H. canadensis contains several alkaloids that may contribute to its effects. So far, ten of these alkaloids have been isolated. The purpose of this study was threefold: To test the disinfectant activity, to identify a standardized extract of H. canadensis, to identify the major alkaloids contributing to its disinfectant activity, and identify any important structural characteristics of the active alkaloids.
The antimicrobial activity of both an H. canadensis extract and isolated alkaloids was evaluated against six strains of microorganisms including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sanguis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The findings support the traditional use of Hydrastis canadensis for the treatment of some microbial infections, but in the authors' opinion, the most important antimicrobial activity comes from alkaloids other than the widely studied and written about berberine. They also concluded that structurally, the quaternary nitrogen group is not necessary for the alkaloid to have antimicrobial activity, while the opening of the C ring of benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (such as in canadaline) results in increased antimicrobial activity. - Densie Webb, PhD
Enclosure: Copyright( 1998, Fitoterapia, reprinted with permission. Bin #158 |