prickly-poppy seed oil and consequently for
cardiac failure and tachycardia in epidemic
dropsy patients. Other studies have shown that
the alkaloid interferes with pyruvic acid oxi-
dation that leads to pyruvic acid accumulation
in the blood.^21 Long-term studies in rats ad-
ministered the alkaloid orally failed to show
teratogenic effects.^1 Oral administration of a
sanguinaria extract containing approximately
68% total benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids
and approximately 33% sanguinarine chloride
to rabbits and rats failed to show any effects on
fetal and neonatal development, fertility, or
reproduction at doses below 60 mg/kg/day
and 25 mg/kg/day, respectively. The acute oral
LD 50 of sanguinarine and extracts of the
rhizome in rats ranges between 1250 and
1658 mg/kg.^23 A recent studyof oral leukopla-
kia in 10 patients who had used a rinse and/or
dentifrice containing sanguinaria for 6 months
called for avoiding such preparations until the
risk of malignancy could be determined.^24
USES
Medicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.
Formerly used in treating carcinoma of the
nose following surgical treatment^25 and in
cough remedies, almost always in combination
with other herbal ingredients (e.g., spikenard
root, balm of Gilead bud, white pine, and wild
cherrybarks,asinCompoundWhitePineSyrup
andotherformulations).Alsousedincosmetics
for its alleged healing properties. Sanguinarine
has also been used as an antiplaque agent in
toothpaste and mouthwash preparations.Traditional Medicine. Used by various east-
ern North American Indians for face painting;
by Canadian Indians in Quebec as a tonic; root
chewed to treat heart troubles. Used by Amer-
ican Indians as a blood purifier and to treat
burns, cuts, sores, ulcers, debility, pain, he-
morrhages, fevers, asthma, coughs, colds, sore
throat, tuberculosis, gonorrhea, rheumatism,
stomach cramps, and other health problems
(MOERMAN).Regulatory Status. Classified by the U.S.
FDA as being unsafe for use in drugs, foods,
or beverages (WICHTL).E Crude and fluid ex-
tracts were formerly official in N.F. and U.S.P.
Strengths (seeglossary) of extracts are ex-
pressed in weight-to-weight ratios between
crude and extracts.REFERENCES
See the General References forAPPLEQUIST;BARNES;CLAUS;DE NAVARRE;DER MARDEROSIAN AND BEUTLER;
DER MARDEROSIAN AND LIBERTI;KROCHMAL AND KROCHMAL;MARTINDALE;MERCK;YOUNGKEN.
- P. Kosina et al.,Food Chem. Toxicol., 42 ,
85 (2004). - K. C. Godowski,J. Clin. Dent., 1 ,96
(1989). - F. Santavy in R. H. F. Manske, ed.,The
Alkaloids, Vol. 12, Academic Press,
New York, 1970, p. 333. - M. Tin-Wa et al.,J. Pharm. Sci., 61 , 1846
(1972). - D. K. Kim and F. R Stermitz,
Phytochemistry, 14 , 834 (1975). - V. Preininger in R. H. F. Manske, ed.,
The Alkaloids, Vol. 15, Academic Press,
New York, 1975, p. 207.
7. I. S. Shenolikar et al., Food Cosmet.
Toxicol., 12 , 699 (1974).
8. M. M. Chaturvedi et al.,J. Biol. Chem.,
272 , 30129 (1997).
9. M. Tin-Wa et al., Lloydia, 33 , 267
(1970). - N. Ahmad et al.,Clin. Cancer Res., 6 ,
1524 (2000). - H. Matsuda, Planta Med., 54 , 498
(1988). - R. T. Boulware et al.,J. Soc. Cosmet.
Chem., 36 , 297 (1985). - H. Tenebaum et al.,J. Periodontol., 70 ,
307 (1999).
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