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Gld3.5
Goldenseal Research
Too few graded studies
14 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Too few graded studies
Goldenseal doesn't have enough studies with structured effect-size data yet to pool a verdict. Browse the studies below for individual findings.
Most evidence is from medium-quality randomised trials published 2005–2025.
Based on 14 studies · 5 RCTs
Confidence
Moderate confidence
By outcome
Safety profile
Too few graded studies2 studies
Glucose & metabolic
Too few graded studies1 study
Women's health
Too few graded studies1 study
Oral & dental health
Too few graded studies1 study
Active research area
7 studies in the last 5 years
200520152025
1Review2021
Bernstein N et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2021)
This manuscript reviews available scientific information concerning potential health hazards associated with the consumption of herbal medicines during pregnancy, highlighting those herbs that should be avoided due to their potential abortifacient and/or teratogenic activity.
We focused on plants that were tested by preclinical studies, and studies of these plants are summarized.
Common therapeutic use of these herbs, estimated effects, toxicological effects, and animal studies of these plants is summarized.
In plain English: By exploring these emerging mechanisms, we aim to broaden the scope of natural product-drug interaction research and encourage comprehensive studies to better elucidate complex mechanisms.
Oyanna VO, Clarke JD. · Drug metabolism reviews (2024)
Applying the Biopharmaceutics Drug Disposition Classification System (BDDCS) can serve as a framework for predicting and understanding these interactions.
This understanding is vital for healthcare professionals to effectively anticipate and manage potential natural product-drug interactions, ensuring optimal patient therapeutic outcomes.
By exploring these emerging mechanisms, we aim to broaden the scope of natural product-drug interaction research and encourage comprehensive studies to better elucidate complex mechanisms.
In plain English: This approach could pave the way for its broader application in combating fungal infections.
Ding J et al. · World journal of microbiology & biotechnology (2024)
However, the scarcity of robust in vivo and clinical studies limits a full understanding of its efficacy and safety profile.
To bridge this gap, future investigations should prioritize well-designed in vivo and clinical trials to thoroughly evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of BBR in diverse clinical settings.
This approach could pave the way for its broader application in combating fungal infections.
In plain English: Although herbal preparations have promising potential in the treatment of multidrug-resistant bacterial infection, still more research is required to isolate phytoconstituents, their mechanism of action as well as to find their impacts on the human body.
Akram M et al. · Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology (2020)
The advent of antibiotics revolutionized medical care resulting in significantly reduced mortality and morbidity caused by infectious diseases.
Articles were selected related to the efficacious herbs easily available to local populations addressing common pathogens.
Various plants such as Artocarpus communis, Rheum emodi, Gentiana lutea L., Cassia fistula L., Rosemarinus officinalis, Argemone maxicana L, Hydrastis canadensis, Citrus aurantifolia, Cymbopogon citrates, Carica papaya, Euphorbia hirta, etc, were found to have significant antibacterial activities.
In plain English: In summary, research in this area is limited and requires further investigation.
Chan WJ et al. · Cancer chemotherapy and pharmacology (2023)
Clinical studies investigating pharmacokinetic interactions provide evidence that negative treatment outcomes may occur when Hypericum perforatum, Grapefruit, Schisandra sphenanthera, Curcuma longa or Hydrastis canadensis are taken concurrently with common cancer treatments.
Conversely, pharmacodynamic interactions between Hangeshashinto (TJ-14) and some cancer treatments have been shown to reduce the side effects of diarrhoea and oral mucositis.
In summary, research in this area is limited and requires further investigation.
Approximately 9% of Europeans and white Americans are either poor CYP2D6 metabolizers or poor OCT1 transporters.
Common OCT1 alleles *3 to *6 showed uptake reduced by at least 65% and Oct1/2 knockout mice showed 3.2-fold higher AUCs in liver perfusion experiments.
Females who were poor CYP2D6 metabolizers had an 80% lower M1-to-berberine ratio.
In plain English: Comparisons of pre- and post-supplementation MDZ pharmacokinetic parameters revealed significant inhibition of CYP3A by goldenseal... These findings suggest that significant herb-drug interactions may result from the concomitant ingestion of goldenseal and CYP3A substrates.
Gurley BJ et al. · Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (2008)
Goldenseal significantly inhibited CYP3A (midazolam probe) in 16 healthy volunteers
Significant herb-drug interaction potential with CYP3A substrates
In plain English: Thus, it is very important to review the scientific information about goldenseal to understand about the current scenario.
Mandal SK et al. · Pharmacological research (2020)
However, few studies have also suggested the possible neurotoxic, hepatotoxic and phototoxic activities of goldenseal extract and its alkaloids.
Thus, large randomized, double-blind clinical studies need to be conducted on goldenseal supplements and their main alkaloids to provide more evidence on the mechanisms responsible for the pharmaceutical activity, clinical efficacy and safety of these products.
Thus, it is very important to review the scientific information about goldenseal to understand about the current scenario.
In plain English: Botanical supplements containing goldenseal strongly inhibited CYP2D6 and CYP3A4/5 activity in vivo... serious adverse interactions may result from the concomitant ingestion of goldenseal supplements and drugs that are CYP2D6 and CYP3A4/5 substrates.
Gurley BJ et al. · Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (2005)
Goldenseal strongly inhibited CYP2D6 and CYP3A4/5 (~40%) in vivo
Serious adverse interaction potential with CYP2D6/CYP3A4 substrates
In plain English: supplementation with these specific formulations of goldenseal or kava kava did not appear to affect digoxin pharmacokinetics, suggesting that these supplements are not potent modulators of P-gp in vivo
Gurley BJ et al. · Drug metabolism and disposition: the biological fate of chemicals (2007)
Goldenseal did NOT significantly alter digoxin (P-glycoprotein substrate) pharmacokinetics
Not a potent P-gp modulator in vivo (distinct from its CYP effects)
In plain English: The aggregate pharmacokinetic data indicated no clinically meaningful interaction... However, metformin AUC decreased by ~20%, 14%, and 0% after goldenseal coadministration at low, moderate, and high metformin doses, respectively
Nguyen JT et al. · Clinical and translational science (2025)
No clinically meaningful overall interaction (metformin AUC GMR within no-effect range)
Dose-dependent decrease in metformin exposure (~20% at low metformin doses)
Open-label crossover in adults with type 2 diabetes
In plain English: goldenseal increased the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-inf ) of midazolam (CYP3A; positive control)... decreased metformin (OCT1/2, MATE1/2-K) AUC0-inf (GMR, 0.77 (0.71-0.83))
Nguyen JT et al. · Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (2021)
In plain English: Investigators studied four different herbal medicines (St John's wort, garlic, goldenseal and milk thistle) and one vitamin (vitamin C). Significant interactions were observed with St John's wort, garlic and vitamin C.
Mills E et al. · International journal of STD & AIDS (2005)
Reviewed goldenseal among natural products studied for HIV-drug interactions
Significant interactions were seen with St John's wort, garlic and vitamin C (not goldenseal specifically)
Methodological limits noted; further research urged