Sanguinarine Health Topic

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1. Differential Antiproliferative and Apoptotic Response of Sanguinarine for Cancer Cells Versus Normal Cells

   Sanguinarine, derived from the root of Sanguinaria canadendid, has been shown to possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Sanguinarine is a potential antiproliferative agent that can be developed as a potential agent for skin cancer. The life-span of normal cells as well as cancer cells within a living system is regarded to be significantly affected by the rate of apoptosis. Because apoptosis is a discrete manner of cell death that differs from necrotic cell death and is regarded as an ideal way to eliminate damaged cells, agents that can modulate apoptosis may be used for the management and therapy of cancer. Sanguinarine imparts a cell growth-inhibitory response in human squamous carcinoma (A431) cells via an induction of apoptosis. Sanguinarine also functions as a potent inhibitor of the oxidant- and/or tumor promoter-mediated activation of NF-κB. Studies have indicated that NF-κB promotes cell survival by inhibiting apoptosis. Sanguinarine treatment resulted in dose-dependent apoptosis in A431 cells. Sanguinarine treatment also resulted in necrosis of A431 cells. The apoptotic response of sanguinarine was not limited only to the A431 cells because similar treatment also resulted in the apoptotic cell death of other human cancer cell types. By modulating apoptosis, sanguinarine may be able to affect the steady-state cell population and thus possesses a potential for development as an agent for cancer chemotherapy.

   SCIENTIFIC STUDY

2. Activation of Prodeath Bcl-2 Family Proteins and Mitochondrial Apoptosis Pathway by Sanguinarine in Immortalized Human HaCaT Keratinocytes

   Because mitochondrial pathway is critical for the regulation of apoptosis, we studied the involvement and regulation of mitochondrial events in sanguinarine-mediated apoptosis. In the process of apoptosis, mitochondria plays a central but complex role. Mitochondria is increasingly appreciated as a target for the management of cancer, and the agents that can modulate mitochondrial events and the process of apoptosis (thereby being able to affect the steady-state cell population) may be useful in the management of cancer. Sanguinarine treatment results in an inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis in HaCaT keratinocytes. Sanguinarine, a naturally occurring alkaloid extract of S. canadensis, has been shown to possess antioxidative, antitumor, antibacterial activities, and anti-inflammatory properties in animals and to reduce gingival inflammation and supragingival plaque when used clinically. It has been used in many over-the-counter products, including toothpaste, mouthwash, cough and cold remedies, and homeopathic preparations. Sanguinarine has a broad in vitro activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and some protozoa. In ancient times, sanguinarine- containing herbs such as bloodroot were believed to possess anticancer activity. These herbs have long been used by Native American healers to treat cancer. Sanguinarine has been shown to inhibit several enzymatic activities and signaling pathways. Impaired apoptosis is a crucial step in the process of cancer development. The modulation of mitochondrial events and the process of apoptosis by sanguinarine may be useful in the management (chemoprevention as well as chemotherapy) of skin cancer and possibly other hyperproliferative skin disorders by promoting endogenous apoptosis-inducing mechanisms. Sanguinarine treatment did not result in apoptosis of the normal human epidermal keratinocytes at similar dose.

   SCIENTIFIC STUDY

3. Sanguinarine Causes Cell Cycle Blockade and Apoptosis of Human Prostate Carcinoma Cells

   Sanguinarine, an alkaloid derived from the bloodroot plant Sanguinaria canadensis, induced growth inhibitory and antiproliferative effects in human prostate carcinoma cells irrespective of their androgen status.

   SCIENTIFIC STUDY

4. Suppression of Angiogenesis by the Plant Alkaloid Sanguinarine

   Angiogenesis is indispensable for inflammation, and most angiogenesis is dependent on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Sanguinarine markedly suppressed VEGF-induced endothelial cell migration, sprouting, and survival in vitro. Sanguinarine potently suppressed blood vessel formation in vivo. Sanguinarine is a potent antiangiogenic natural product, and its mode of action could involve the blocking of VEGF-induced Akt activation. In addition to antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities, sanguinarine has a novel antiangiogenic role.

   SCIENTIFIC STUDY

5. In Vitro Susceptibility of Helicobacter Pylori to Isoquinoline Alkaloids from Sanguinaria Canadensis

   The rhizome extracts, as well as a methanol extract of Sanguinaria canadensis suspension-cell cultures inhibited the growth of H. pylori in vitro.

   SCIENTIFIC STUDY

6. Bloodroot on Drugs.com

   Bloodroot is an early spring wildflower. The stout rhizome yields a bright red latex when cut, giving the plant its common name. Bloodroot was used by eastern Native American tribes as a red dye and in the treatment of ulcers, skin conditions, and as a blood purifier. The root entered 19th century medicine as a caustic topical treatment for skin cancers, polyps, and warts. Virtually all isolates from human dental plaque were growth-inhibited by sanguinarine. Another similar clinical study of sanguinarine with zinc chloride found reductions in plaque bacteria. Although sanguinarine is modestly effective in dental plaque and gingivitis prevention and treatment, it is inferior to newer agents under development.

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7. Bloodroot on Health Line

   Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is a perennial plant with a white flower that blooms in early spring. It belongs to the poppy family (Papaveraceae) and grows in wooded areas throughout the northeastern regions of the United States and Canada. Bloodroot gets its name from its bright red root that, when cut open, oozes a crimson, blood-like juice.

8. Neoplasene (Bloodroot Extract) and Animal Cancers (pdf file)

   WARNING: CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGERY
   Case studies: treatment of neoplasm, proud flesh and warts with sanguinarine and related isoquinoline alkaloids.

   VETERINARY STUDY

Tags: sanguinarine, sanguinarine and apoptosis, sanguinarine and cancer, sanguinarine and skin cancer, sanguinarine and prostate cancer, sanguinarine and angiogenesis, sanguinarine and dental caries, sanguinarine and dental plaque, sanguinarine and bloodroot, sanguinarine and neoplasene

Sanguinarine has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA for the any of the following topics indicated in the links above: apoptosis, cancer, dental caries

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