Sanguinaria canadensis

Bloodroot/Drug Interactions:

  • AntihypertensivesAntihypertensives: Based on anecdote, large doses can cause nausea, vomiting, CNS sedation, low blood pressure, shock, coma, and death.
  • Anti-H. pylori agentsAnti-H. pylori agents: Based on an in vitro study, methanol extracts of Sanguinaria canadensis rhizomes may inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori (4).
  • AntimicrobialsAntimicrobials: Based on in vitro studies, sanguinarine may have antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, antifungal activity against Candida and dermatophytes, and antiprotozoal against Trichomonas (16; 17; 18; 19).
  • Antimycobacterial agentsAntimycobacterial agents: Based on an in vitro screening, sanguinarine and chelerythrine from the roots of Sanguinaria canadensis may inhibit Mycobacterium aurum and Mycobacterium smegmatis (5).
  • CNS depressantsCNS depressants: 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.
  • Cytochrome P450 metabolized agentsCytochrome P450 metabolized agents: CYP80B1 may be involved in the metabolism of sanguinarine. CYP1A has also been implicated in sanguinarine metabolism based on in vitro study (3). Sanguinarine also inhibits activity of NADPH:CYP reductase, an enzyme required for CYP activity.
  • Hormonal agentsHormonal agents: Based on anecdote, bloodroot may interact with hormonal agents.
  • SedativesSedatives: Based on anecdote, large doses can cause nausea, vomiting, CNS sedation, low blood pressure, shock, coma, and death.
  • Topical medicationsTopical medications: Bloodroot may cause tissue damage when applied topically, which may cause other topical medications used at the same time to be absorbed systemically, possibly resulting in unwanted adverse effects.

    • Bloodroot/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • Anti-H. pylori agentsAnti-H. pylori agents: Based on an in vitro study, methanol extracts of Sanguinaria canadensis rhizomes may inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori (4).
  • AntimicrobialsAntimicrobials: Based on in vitro studies, sanguinarine may have antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, antifungal activity against Candida and dermatophytes, and antiprotozoal against Trichomonas (16; 17; 18; 19).
  • Antimycobacterial activitiesAntimycobacterial activities: Based on an in vitro screening, sanguinarine and chelerythrine from the roots of Sanguinaria canadensis may inhibit Mycobacterium aurum and Mycobacterium smegmatis (5).
  • Cytochrome P450 metabolized herbs and supplementsCytochrome P450 metabolized herbs and supplements: CYP80B1 may be involved in the metabolism of sanguinarine. CYP1A has also been implicated in sanguinarine metabolism based on in vitro study (3). Sanguinarine also inhibits activity of NADPH:CYP reductase, an enzyme required for CYP activity.
  • Hormonal herbs and supplementsHormonal herbs and supplements: Based on anecdote, bloodroot may interact with hormonal agents.
  • HypotensivesHypotensives: Based on anecdote, large doses can cause nausea, vomiting, CNS sedation, low blood pressure, shock, coma, and death.
  • Opioids/CNS depressantsOpioids/CNS depressants: 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.
  • PhytoestrogensPhytoestrogens: Based on anecdote, bloodroot may interact with hormonal agents.
  • PhytoprogestinsPhytoprogestins: Based on anecdote, bloodroot may interact with hormonal agents.
  • SedativesSedatives: Based on anecdote, large doses can cause nausea, vomiting, CNS sedation, low blood pressure, shock, coma, and death.
  • Topical agentsTopical agents: Bloodroot may cause tissue damage when applied topically, which may cause other topical medications used at the same time to be absorbed systemically, possibly resulting in unwanted adverse effects.

    • Bloodroot/Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • Bloodroot/Lab Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.