Goldenseal
[Hydrastis canadensis]

Toxicity

Symptoms

Symptoms: Bradycardia, cardiac damage, constipation, convulsions, delusions, depression, digestive disorders, dyspnea, excitability, hallucinations, hepatotoxicity, hypertension, hypotension, inflammation, irritation of mouth, irritation of mucous membranes, irritation of skin, irritation of stomach, irritation of throat, jaundice, nausea, nervousness, overstimulation of the nervous system, paralysis, paresthesia, respiratory failure, seizures, spasms, tachycardia, ulcers, uterine contractions, vaginal irritation, vomiting. 

Duration of Symptoms: Hours - Weeks

Rate of Poison: Hours - Days

Causes Death: Yes, in high doses. 

Treatment: Activated charcoal, varies based on symptoms.

Goldenseal was once used abundantly due to its medicinal uses. However, because of the extensive use of the plant, goldenseal is now rare in North America. Native Americans used the yellow from the roots and the juices to create a dye. Its popularity grew in the 19th century, with all of the medicinal properties it contains within the plant. Its contribution to medicine was crucial for about a century before more modern medication was developed.

Photo: USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab - Wikimedia Commons

License: Public Domain

While these berries do look ripe and delicious, the fruit of the goldenseal are considered inedible to humans. Each fruit carries approximately thirty seeds, which may take around three years to germanate. This is why there is not much goldenseal left in North America, as it takes years for plants to re-grow. 

Photo: National Agroforestry Center - Wikimedia Commons

License: Creative Commons 2.0

Main Toxin

Molecular structure of berberine (ChemDraw)

Berberine

Berberine, a quaternary ammonium salt, causes DNA damage in liver cells by suppressing the activities of topoisomerase I and topoisomerase II. DNA damage was directly associated with the inhibition of topoisomerase II. Topoisomerases alter the topological state of DNA. Topoisomerase I cleaves a single strand of DNA while topoisomerase II cleaves both strands of DNA. The inhibition of this process will result in genotoxicity and tumorigencity, which will cause problems with cellular functioning. If the DNA is not repaired, carcinogenicity will result. 

Berberine modulates the G1 and G2/M checkpoint responses, causing an arrest in the cell cycle. Increase in berberine concentrations cause a decrease in cell production in the S-phase of the cell cycle while increasing cells in the G1 phase and the G2/M phase indicating the blockage of the cell cycle production and causing cells to cease at the G1 and G2/M checkpoints. 

On the other hand, berberine can kill bacteria that causes diarrhea and protozoans that may result in cholera, dysentery, or giardiasis. Berberine interacts with the mucous membranes, especially ones that align the gastrointestinal tract. 

In other words: Berberine harms liver cells by blocking activities of certain enzymes called topoisomerases. These enzymes help maintain the shape of DNA by altering the twists and turns of DNA. When berberine decreases the enzyme activity, the DNA structure is disrupted, resulting damage to genetic material and possibly causing tumors to form. It also alters the cell cycle, which is responsible for natural cell growth and division. However, berberine disrupts the cell cycle by stopping cells at crucial checkpoints, resulting in a halt in cell progression. 

One benefit to berberine is that it is known to kill harmful bacteria that causes stomach issues by interacting with the mucous membranes in the gastrointestinal tract. 

Level of Toxin: 3.45% - 3.89% in plant

Impacting Dosage: 500 µM (0.68% bioavailability) 

Other Toxins

Palmatine

Palmatine, an isoquinoline alkaloid, is known to have various pharmacological properties, including antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, like berberine, palmatine is known to cause DNA damage in liver cells by suppressing the activities of topoisomerase I and topoisomerase II. DNA damage was directly associated with the inhibition of topoisomerase II. The inhibition of this process will result in genotoxicity and tumorigencity, which will cause problems with cellular functioning. If the DNA is not repaired, carcinogenicity will result. 

In other words: Palmatine has many medicinal properties that can improve health, such as aid with inflammation, increase antioxidants, and battle harmful bacteria. However, like berberine, palmatine harms liver cells by blocking topoisomerases. This causes a disruption to the DNA structure, which can result in damage to genetic material and development of tumors. If not treated, this could lead to the development of cancer. 

Level of Toxin: Less than 1% in plant

Impacting Dosage: 500 µM

Hydrastine

Hydrastine is an isoquinoline alkaloid that can be produced from berberine. It is claimed to have numerous medicinal properties, such as an antibiotic, convulsant, sedative, etc. However, those are merely just claims and not reported in clinical trials. Not much is known on hydrastine, but it may induce labour to pregnant women.

Level of Toxin: 2.80 % - 3.02% in plant

Impacting Dosage: Not known

6-desmethyl-sideroxylin
Hydrastinine

8-desmethyl-sideroxylin
Sideroxylin

Berberastine 

Canadine

General Information

Parts of Plant: Roots

Contact Hazard: 

Animals Affected: 

Medicinal Value

General Information

Parts of Plant: Leaves, rhizomes, roots.

Properties: Alternative, antibiotic, anticatarrhal, antidiabetes, antidiarrheal, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antiperiodic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, cardioprotective, diuretic, gastrointestinal protective, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, laxative, neuroprotective, stimulant, tonic. 

Components: Berberine, hydrastine.

Antidote: None known.

Preparation: Capsule, eyewash, infusion, mouthwash, powder, tablet, tea. tincture, tonic.

Historical Uses

Current Uses

Treatments

Location

Claimed Treatments


Location

Edibility

General Information

Parts of Plant: Leaves, rhizomes, roots.

Nutrients:

Taste: Bitter

WARNING: Do not take in high doses. !DO NOT CONSUME FRESH PLANT!

Historical Uses

Current Uses

Preparation Methods

Preparation Methods

General Facts

Plant Facts

Illustration of Goldenseal by Charles F. Millspaugh - Wikimedia Commons

License: Public Domain

Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Genus: Hydrastis

Other Names: Curcuma, Eye Balm, Eye Root, Golden Root, Goldensiegel, Gold-Siegel, Ground Raspberry, Guldsegl, Hydrastidis Rhizoma, Hydrophyllum, Indian Dye, Indian Paint, Indian Plant, Indian Turmeric, Jaundice Root, Kanadische Gelbwurzel, Kurkuma, Ohio Curcuma, Orangeroot, Tumeric Root, Warnera, Wild Curcuma, Wild Tumeric, Yellow Eye, Yellow Indian Plant, Yellow Paint, Yellow Paint Root, Yellow Puccoon, Yellow Root, Yellow Seal, Yellow Wort

Synonyms: H. trifolia

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Bloom Colours: Yellow

Bloom Time: April - May

Type: Perennial

Height: 6 - 18 in. (0.15 -  0.46 meters)

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Habitat: Damp meadows, rich shady woods

Origin: North America

States: AL, AR, CT, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA. MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VT, VA, WV, WI

Provinces: ON

Family Connection

Sources

Toxicity Section

Medicinal Value Section 

Edibility Section 

General Facts Section

Date of page creation: August 13, 2024