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Bloodroot

(Sanguinaria canadensis)
Family: Papaveraceae
Synonyms: Indian Paint, Tetterwort, Red Puccoon,
Red Root, Paucon, Coon Root, Snakebite, Sweet Slumber,(1)
Pauson.(2)

Downloadable PDF of this monograph

• Use in mouthwash and toothpaste has been associated with oral leukoplakia.

• Europeans are incorporating bloodroot into livestock feed as an alternative to antibiotics.

• Avoid in pregnancy, gastric irritation, and glaucoma.

Indications supported by clinical trials

Effectiveness for treating dental plaque: uncertain.
Studies have shown that mouthwash containing sanguinarine and zinc is effective in reducing plaque formation, but equivocal in the treatment of gingivitis.(15) Mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine are more effective than sanguinarine, but have limited long-term usefulness, because they stain the teeth.(16) Tenenbaum et al. have developed a successful regimen that includes short-term chlorhexidine rinses followed by long-term use of both mouthwash and toothpaste containing sanguinarine.(16) More recently, a case–control study revealed evidence of an association of the use of a Viadent product containing sanguinarine, with leukoplakia, a premalignant condition of the buccal mucosa.(17,18)

Effectiveness for treating skin cancers: unknown: No scientific studies have examined the effectiveness of escharotic agents as treatments for cancers. McDaniel and Goldman published four case studies documenting treatment failures or complications with their use. They contend that escharotic agents, even when combined with surgery, afford no advantages over surgery alone for skin cancers.(13) Researchers at the University of Wisconsin are testing the effects of sanguinarine, one of the alkaloids in bloodroot, on skin cancer cells. In results published in a well-regarded cancer research journal, sanguinarine has been effective in killing human epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells by induction of apoptosis. They have found a similar result in testing another cancerous keratinocyte cell line.(17) These effects are notable relative to other herbal agents with purported anticancer activity: apoptosis was stimulated with only high nanomolar-low micromolar sanguinarine concentrations and the alkaloid exhibits selective cytotoxicity toward cancerous skin cells relative to normal keratinocytes.

Externally-applied bloodroot continues to be investigated in allopathic settings, but systemic administration has fallen out of favor since the days of Hoxsey

5)   Protection from beta-amyloid toxicity in Alzheimer's dementia

6)   Activity against certain microbes (e.g., Pneumocystis carinii)

7)   Possibly decreases hyperinsulinemia associated with hypertension

8)   Reduces cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) and CYP2D6 activity and may either inhibit or induce CYP3A4 activity, thereby affecting metabolism of certain pharmaceuticals.^(3,11-13)

The most recent in vitro and animal studies continue to validate protective effects of GBE:

1)     Rats fed 150 mg/kg of GBE (usual human dose 1.6 mg/kg) had less retinal ganglion loss in response to episcleral vessel cautery than a control group; (14)

2)     200 mg/ml of GBE increased cell survival after exposed to staurosporine (induces cell death similar to apoptosis).(15)

Preparation and dosage:

• Ground dried root capsules: 60-500 mg three times daily.

• Tincture (1:5, in 60% ethanol): 0.3-2 ml TID.
  

• Fluid extract (1:1, in 60% ethanol): 0.06-0.3 ml three times daily.(2)

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