Sanguinarine

Related Terms

Alkaloids, B. homochelidonine, benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, berbine, blood root, chelerythrine, chelilutine, chelirubine, coon root, Papaveraceae (family), paucon, pauson, protopine, pseudochelerythrine, puccoon, puccoon-root, red Indian paint, red puccoon, red resin, red root, redroot, SaE, Sangrovit?, sanguilutine, Sanguinaria canadensis, sanguinaria dentifrice, sanguinaria extract, sanguinarin, sanguinarine, sanguinarine chloride, sanguinarine hydroxide, sanguinarine nitrate, sanguinarine sulfate, sanguinarium, sanguiritrin, sanguirubine, sangvinarin, snakebite, sweet slumber, tetterwort, white puccoon.
Note: This monograph also discusses sanguinarine, an alkaloid of bloodroot, which is also found in other plants such as Mexican prickly poppy (Argemone mexicana), Chelidonium majus, and Macleaya cordata. However, Mexican sanguinaria extract (Polygonum aviculare L.) is not included, as it is not known to contain sanguinarine or other major constituents of bloodroot.

Background

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) has been used historically by some Native American tribes as a medicinal agent to stimulate the digestive system and induce vomiting. It has also been used as an antimicrobial. More recently, the main active constituent of bloodroot, sanguinarine, has been added to dentifrices (used to clean teeth) to reduce plaque and treat gingivitis and periodontal disease. More research is needed in this area to determine sanguinarine's efficacy for these conditions, although there is some concern that chronic oral use of sanguinarine may cause leukoplakia (precancerous white patches in the mouth) and oral dysplastic lesions (abnormal mouth wounds).
In a report from 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Dental Plaque Subcommittee of the Nonprescription Drugs Advisory Committee concluded "...that sanguinaria extract at 0.03-0.075% concentration is safe, but there are insufficient data available to permit final classification of its effectiveness in an oral rinse or dentifrice dosage form as an [over the counter] antigingivitis/antiplaque active ingredient." However, expert opinion considers bloodroot unsafe when used internally. In 2005, legal action was taken against an unlicensed practitioner for prescribing bloodroot to several women with breast cancer who suffered disfigurement and tissue damage after topically using the cream.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Gingivitis is a bacterially-elicited inflammation of the marginal gingiva, and bloodroot has traditionally been associated with antimicrobial activity. Sanguinarine, a constituent of bloodroot, has been used as a toothpaste or mouthrinse ingredient. The results of these studies are mixed, and additional study is needed in this area to make a strong recommendation.

 B


Gingivitis is a bacterially-elicited inflammation of the marginal gingiva, and bloodroot has traditionally been associated with antimicrobial activity. Sanguinarine, a constituent of bloodroot, has been used as a toothpaste or mouthrinse ingredient. The results of these studies are mixed, and additional study is needed in this area to make a strong recommendation.

 B


Periodontal disease is a bacterially-elicited inflammation of the gingiva and periodontal tissue. Preliminary study has not suggested benefit of sanguinarine for this condition, although results are mixed. Additional study is needed.

 C


Periodontal disease is a bacterially-elicited inflammation of the gingiva and periodontal tissue. Preliminary study has not suggested benefit of sanguinarine for this condition, although results are mixed. Additional study is needed.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older):
There is no proven safe or effective dose for bloodroot in adults. For gingivitis prevention, oral rinses containing 300 micrograms/milliliter of sanguinaria extract have been used twice daily for up to six months. For periodontal disease, oral rinses containing 0.01% sanguinarine have been used daily for up to six weeks to reduce plaque formation in patients with established and developing plaque and periodontal disease.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Methanol extracts of Sanguinaria canadensis rhizomes may inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori. Sanguinarine may also have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiprotozoal activity. Caution is advised when taking bloodroot with any agents with similar effects.
Bloodroot contains sanguinarine, a morphine-like alkaloid that may cause sedation, faintness, vertigo, and possibly impair decision-making and increase response time. These effects may be more pronounced when bloodroot is used with agents that act similarly.
Sanguinarine may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be increased in the blood, and may cause increased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. Patients using any medications should check the package insert, and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.
Bloodroot may interact with hormonal agents.
Large doses of bloodroot may cause nausea, vomiting, central nervous system sedation, low blood pressure, shock, coma, and death. Caution is advised when taking agents that may contribute to these adverse effects, such as sedatives or blood pressure lowering agents.
Bloodroot may cause tissue damage when applied to the skin, which may cause other topical medications used at the same time to be absorbed systemically, possibly resulting in unwanted adverse effects. Caution is advised when using bloodroot on the skin along with other topical agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Allen CL, Loudon J, Mascarenhas AK. Sanguinaria-related leukoplakia: epidemiologic and clinicopathologic features of a recently described entity. Gen.Dent. 2001;49(6):608-614.
Cullinan MP, Powell RN, Faddy MJ, et al. Efficacy of a dentifrice and oral rinse containing sanguinaria extract in conjunction with initial periodontal therapy. Aust.Dent.J. 1997;42(1):47-51.
Eversole LR, Eversole GM, Kopcik J. Sanguinaria-associated oral leukoplakia: comparison with other benign and dysplastic leukoplakic lesions. Oral Surg.Oral Med.Oral Pathol.Oral Radiol.Endod. 2000;89(4):455-464.
Frankos VH, Brusick DJ, Johnson EM, et al. Safety of Sanguinaria extract as used in commercial toothpaste and oral rinse products. J.Can.Dent.Assoc. 1990;56(7 Suppl):41-47.
Harkrader RJ, Reinhart PC, Rogers JA, et al. The history, chemistry and pharmacokinetics of Sanguinaria extract. J.Can.Dent.Assoc. 1990;56(7 Suppl):7-12.
Harper DS, Mueller LJ, Fine JB, et al. Effect of 6 months use of a dentifrice and oral rinse containing sanguinaria extract and zinc chloride upon the microflora of the dental plaque and oral soft tissues. J.Periodontol. 1990;61(6):359-363.
Kopczyk RA, Abrams H, Brown AT, et al. Clinical and microbiological effects of a sanguinaria-containing mouthrinse and dentifrice with and without fluoride during 6 months of use. J.Periodontol. 1991;62(10):617-622.
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Southard GL, Parsons LG, Thomas LG, et al. Effect of sanguinaria extract on development of plaque and gingivitis when supragingivally delivered as a manual rinse or under pressure in an oral irrigator. J Clin Periodontol. 1987;14(7):377-380.
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