PDR for Herbal Medicines

HERBAL MONOGRAPHS GOLDENSEAL/357

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

General: If taken over an extended period, the drug can

bring about digestive disorders, mucous membrane irritation,

constipation, excitatory states, hallucinations and occasional-

ly deliria.

Pregnancy: Goldenseal should not be taken during

pregnancy.

Drug Interactions: Berberine has an antagonistic effect on

the anticoagulant activity of heparin (Preininger, 1975).

There have been reports of decreased vitamin B absorption

with higher doses of Goldenseal (Tierra, 1980).

Drug/Laboratory Interactions: At one time it was believed

that Goldenseal could mask the detection of tetrahydrocanna-

binol (THC/Marijuana) in illicit drug urinalysis. This effect

has since been disproved (Mikkelsen & Ash, 1988).

OVERDOSAGE

The LD50 for berberine in rats was found to be greater than

1,000 mg/kg of body weight making the toxicity of this

componant in Goldenseal very low (Haldon, 1975). The

hydrastine componant appears to be the toxic compound in

Goldenseal. High doses result in strychnine-like convulsions

and gastrointestinal relaxation (Osol & Garrar, 1955). Other

effects of overdose that have been reported include difficulty

in breathing, bradycardia and central paralysis.

Following stomach and intestinal emptying (inducement of

vomiting, gastric lavage with burgundy-colored potassium

permanganate solution, sodium sulfate) the treatment for

poisonings consists of the instillation of activated charcoal

and shock prophylaxis (quiet, warmth). The treatment of

spasms with diazepam (I.V.), electrolyte substitution and the

countering of any acidosis imbalance that may appear with

sodium bicarbonate infusions may be necessary. In the event

of shock, plasma volume expanders should be infused.

Intubation and oxygen respiration may also be required.

DOSAGE

Daily Dosage:

Extract — Standardized extract (5% hydrastine) 250-500 mg

3 times daily (Werbach & Murray, 1994)

Fluid extract — lU to 1 teaspoonful (1.25-5 ml) (Grieve,

1971)

Solid extract — 325-520 mg (Grieve, 1971)

Local antiseptic — 1 teaspoonful powder steeped in 1 cup

boiling water for 15 minutes. Swish around the mouth or

gargle for mouth or throat sores (Tyler, 1997).

Travelers diarrhea — One capsule (500-1000 mg root) 3
times daily (Tyler, 1997)

Storage: Store at room temperature. Avoid moisture, high

temperatures and direct light.

LITERATURE

Babbar OP, Chhatwal VK, Ray IB et al: Effect of berberine

chloride eye drops on clinically positive trachoma patients. Ind

J Med Res 76(suppl):83-88. 1982.

Bae EA. Han MJ, Kim NJ et al: Anti-helicobacter pylori

activity of herbal medicines. Biol Pharmaceut Bull 21(9):990-

992. 
     
     
     
     1998. Chan MY: The effect of berberine on bilirubin excretion in the
           rat. Comp Med East West 5:161-168. 1977.
           Galefi C et al., Canadinic acid: an alkaloid from Hydrastis
           canadensis. In: PM 63(2): 194. 1997.
           Gentry EJ, Jampani HB, Keshavarz-Shokri A et al:
           Antitubercular natural products: berberine from the roots of
           commercial Hydrastis canadensis powder. J Nat Prod
           61(10): 1187-1193. 1998.
           Gleye J et al., (1974) Phytochemistry 13:675.
           Grieve M: A Modern Herbal. Dover Publications, Inc. New
           York, New York, p 362-364. 1971.
           Haginiwa J, Harada M, (1962) Yakugaku Zasshi 82:726.
           Haldon B: Toxicity of berberine sulfate. Acta Pol Pharm
           32:113-120. 1975.
           Hui K. Yu J, Chan W, Tse E: Interaction of berberine with
           human platelet alpha 2 adrenoceptors. Life Sci 49(4): 315-24.
     
     
     
     


993. 
     

     Kaneda Y, Torii M & Tanaka T: In vitro effects of berberine
     sulfate on the growth of Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia
     and Tricomonas vaginalis. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 85:417-425.

     
     


994. 
     

     Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der
     Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde 1-8, Springer Verlag
     Berlin. Heidelberg, New York, 1969.
     Leung AY, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used
     in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons Inc., New-
     York 1980.
     Lewin L, Gifte und Vergiftungen, 6. Aufl., Nachdruck, Haug
     Verlag, Heidelberg 1992.
     Liu CX et al: Studies on plant resources, pharmacology and
     clinical treatment with berbamine. Phytother Res 5:228-230.

     
     


995. 
     

     Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde 1-3,
     Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.
     Mikkelsen SL & Ash KO: Adulterants causing false negatives
     in illicit drug testing. Clin Chem 34:2333-2336. 1988.
     Mohan M, Pant CR, Angra SK et al: Berberine in trachoma.
     Ind J Opthalmol 30:69-75. 1982.
     Nishino H, Kitagawa K, Fujiki H et al: Berberine sulfate
     inhibits tumor-promoting activity of teleocidin in two stage
     carcinogenesis on mouse skin. Oncology 43:131-134. 1986.