Sanguinaria canadensis: Traditional Medicine, Phytochemical Composition, Biological Activities and Current Uses.
Sanguinaria canadensis, also known as bloodroot, is a traditional medicine used by Native Americans to treat a diverse range of clinical conditions. The plants rhizome contains several alkaloids that individually target multiple molecular processes. These bioactive compounds, mechanistically correlate with the plant's history of ethnobotanical use. Despite their identification over 50 years ago, the alkaloids of S. canadensis have not been developed into successful therapeutic agents. Instead, they have been associated with clinical toxicities ranging from mouthwash induced leukoplakia to cancer salve necrosis and treatment failure. This review explores the historical use of S. canadensis, the molecular actions of the benzophenanthridine and protopin alkaloids it contains, and explores natural alkaloid variation as a possible rationale for the inconsistent efficacy and toxicities encountered by S. canadensis therapies. Current veterinary and medicinal uses of the plant are studied with an assessment of obstacles to the pharmaceutical development of S. canadensis alkaloid based therapeutics.
Southern Cross Plant Science, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia. a.croaker.10@student.scu.edu.au.
Andrew
A
Croaker
Southern Cross Plant Science, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia. graham.king@scu.edu.au.
Graham J
GJ
King
School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia. j.pyne@uq.edu.au.
John H
JH
Pyne
School of Pharmacy, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Gold Coast, QLD 4222, Australia. s.dukie@griffith.edu.au.
Shailendra
S
Anoopkumar-Dukie
Southern Cross Plant Science, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia. lliu@scu.edu.au.
Lei
L
Liu
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D053119:Benzophenanthridines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008519:Medicine, Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D031681:Sanguinaria / Q000737:chemistry*
D000470:Alkaloids; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D053119:Benzophenanthridines; D010936:Plant Extracts
Sanguinaria canadensis; alkaloid; black salve; bloodroot; escharotic; herbal; sanguinarine; skin cancer