Bloodroot Root Extract
Also known as: Bloodroot, Redroot, Tetterwort, Sanguinaria canadensis
Overview
Sanguinaria canadensis, commonly known as Bloodroot, is a perennial plant native to North America, traditionally used in indigenous medicine. The root extract is rich in benzophenanthridine alkaloids, primarily sanguinarine and chelerythrine, which are responsible for its bioactive properties. It is primarily investigated for its purported anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and tumoricidal effects, as well as its application in dental health products. While in vitro studies show promising results regarding its biological activities, high-quality clinical evidence, such as large-scale randomized controlled trials or meta-analyses, is limited. Its use in dental care, often in combination with other ingredients, has shown some efficacy, but its application in other areas, particularly as a topical cancer treatment, is associated with significant safety concerns and a lack of clinical support.
Benefits
Bloodroot extracts exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects by inhibiting leukotriene and prostaglandin production in vitro, suggesting potential for managing inflammatory conditions. The alkaloids sanguinarine and chelerythrine demonstrate antimicrobial activity and tumor cell-killing properties in laboratory settings, indicating potential against various pathogens and cancer cells. In dental health, clinical studies, often involving combination products with zinc chloride, have shown that bloodroot-containing toothpastes and mouth rinses can effectively reduce dental plaque and gingivitis. These dental benefits have been observed in populations such as teenagers with orthodontic devices and adults with gingivitis. While some in vitro studies suggest sanguinarine may have anticancer effects, clinical evidence is largely absent, and its use for this purpose is complicated by significant toxicity concerns.
How it works
The primary mechanism of action for Bloodroot involves its key bioactive compounds, sanguinarine and chelerythrine, which are benzophenanthridine alkaloids. These alkaloids exert their effects by inhibiting inflammatory mediators such as leukotrienes and prostaglandins, thereby contributing to anti-inflammatory responses. They also induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in various tumor cells and exhibit antimicrobial properties by disrupting microbial cell membranes and inhibiting essential enzymes. Furthermore, these alkaloids have been shown to modulate immune cell proliferation and cytokine production in in vitro models. The exact absorption and bioavailability of these compounds in humans, particularly from different formulations, are not yet well characterized.
Side effects
Bloodroot is considered possibly safe for short-term oral use at controlled doses, but it possesses a narrow therapeutic window due to its toxicity risks. Common side effects reported with oral ingestion include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and grogginess. Topical application, especially in unregulated forms like 'black salve,' can lead to uncommon but severe side effects such as local irritation, mucosal ulceration, and significant skin damage. Rare but serious adverse effects include severe tissue necrosis and treatment failure, particularly when used as an unproven topical cancer treatment. Due to the bioactivity of its alkaloids, drug interactions are possible but not well studied, warranting caution. Bloodroot is contraindicated in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and in individuals with pre-existing mucosal or skin lesions due to the heightened risk of irritation and necrosis. Children and patients with compromised mucosal integrity should also avoid its use.
Dosage
There is no standardized dosing for Bloodroot due to the variability in extract composition and a lack of comprehensive clinical trials establishing efficacy and safety for specific conditions. For dental products, bloodroot is typically found in low concentrations, often combined with zinc chloride, and should be used strictly according to product label directions. It's important to note that ethanol extracts generally contain higher concentrations of alkaloids compared to water extracts. The topical use of bloodroot, particularly for self-treating cancer, is strongly discouraged due to significant safety concerns, including severe tissue damage, and a complete absence of supporting efficacy data from clinical research. Upper limits and safety thresholds for systemic use are not well-defined.
FAQs
Is bloodroot safe for cancer treatment?
No, there is no high-quality clinical evidence to support the safe and effective use of bloodroot for cancer treatment. Topical application can cause severe tissue damage and is not recommended.
Can bloodroot toothpaste improve gum health?
Yes, products combining bloodroot extract with zinc chloride have shown effectiveness in reducing dental plaque and gingivitis in clinical studies, contributing to improved gum health.
What are the risks of topical bloodroot?
Topical bloodroot carries significant risks, including potential for skin necrosis, ulceration, and severe tissue damage. The FDA has issued warnings against 'black salve' products containing bloodroot due to these dangers.
How quickly do benefits appear?
For dental benefits, consistent use of bloodroot-containing products has shown improvements in plaque and gingivitis within weeks in clinical studies.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2811966/ – This in vitro study investigated the immunomodulatory effects of Sanguinaria canadensis extracts on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. It found that bloodroot extracts, particularly ethanol extracts rich in alkaloids, inhibited inflammatory mediators like leukotrienes and prostaglandins, and modulated immune cell activity, suggesting anti-inflammatory potential.
- https://klemow.wilkes.edu/Sanguinaria.17.html – This source provides general information on Sanguinaria canadensis, including its chemical constituents like sanguinarine and chelerythrine, and mentions their antibacterial and tumor cell-killing properties observed in in vitro studies. It highlights the presence of these bioactive alkaloids as key to the plant's effects.
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-893/bloodroot – This WebMD summary compiles findings from multiple clinical trials regarding bloodroot's use in dental products. It indicates that toothpastes and mouthwashes containing bloodroot extract combined with zinc chloride effectively reduce dental plaque and gingivitis, though it notes that evidence for periodontitis is insufficient and results can be conflicting due to combination products.
- https://www.science.gov/topicpages/b/bloodroot+sanguinaria+canadensis – This government science portal provides a general overview of Sanguinaria canadensis, referencing its potential anticancer effects observed in some in vitro studies. It implicitly acknowledges the early-stage nature of this research and the need for further investigation, particularly concerning clinical applicability and toxicity.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33128472/ – This PubMed review article focuses on the dermatologic uses of bloodroot, particularly its historical application for skin cancer. It concludes that while historically used, bloodroot is associated with significant misuse and toxicity, and highlights FDA warnings against topical cancer salves containing bloodroot due to severe adverse effects like tissue necrosis and lack of efficacy.