Hydrastis Research Articles

Effects of Dietary Inclusion of Dry Hydrastis canadensis on Laying Performance, Egg Quality, Serum Biochemical Parameters and Cecal Microbiota in Laying Hens.

Simple SummaryExtensive studies on alternative sources of feed additives to replace antibiotics are required. Plants of the Ranunculaceae family have been used as medicines or dyes. The representative plant is goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), which has a long history of use in North America, with berberine considered the most effective ingredient in goldenseal. Some natural compounds in Hydrastis canadensis function as efflux pump inhibitors and thus may have bactericidal effects against pathogens with antibiotic resistance. However, no conclusive beneficial effects of goldenseal on the livestock industry have been reported. The objective of this study was to examine whether the alternative use of goldenseal roots or leaves has potential health benefits in chickens. Our data demonstrate that Hydrastis canadensis can improve the egg quality and modulate the microbiota composition of laying hens.Alternative growth promoters are able to not only effectively replace the traditional use of antibiotics but also provide additional health benefits for livestock and reduce food safety concerns. This study investigated the effects of dry Hydrastis canadensis on the laying performance and fecal microbial community of laying hens. Twenty-four Lohmann (LSL, white layer strain) hens were reared from 40 to 48 weeks of age and randomly allotted to four dietary treatments (six birds/treatment). The dietary treatments comprised a basal diet with no treatment as control, a basal diet plus 0.6% powder of dry Hydrastis canadensis roots (R) or leaves (L), and a basal diet plus 0.6% powder of a mixture of dry Hydrastis canadensis roots and leaves (1:1, LR). No mortality was observed in the whole experimental period. The results indicated that albumen height in the LR group was significantly greater than that in the control group. The diet supplemented with Hydrastis canadensis had no significant effects on egg production rate, egg weight, eggshell strength, eggshell thickness, Haugh unit, or yolk height during the whole experimental phase. However, principal coordinate analysis, comparative heat map analysis, and cluster dendrogram analysis of cecal microbiota showed distinct clusters among the groups treated with Hydrastis canadensis and the control group. Regarding blood biochemical parameters, serum cholesterol levels were significantly lower in all Hydrastis canadensis-treated groups compared with those in the control group. Moreover, serum low-density lipoprotein levels were lower in hens supplemented with the leaf of Hydrastis canadensis. The abundances of the phyla Fusobacteria and Kiritimatiellaeota were increased (p < 0.05) in laying hens fed with 0.6% Hydrastis canadensis leaves, whereas the abundance of the phylum Firmicutes in cecum digesta decreased in response to treatment with Hydrastis canadensis roots and leaves. The relative abundance of the Fusobacterium genus was higher in the LR group compared with that in the control. On the contrary, we found a different trend in the Synergistes genus. The potential influences of these microbiota on the performance of laying hens were discussed. The results demonstrate that Hydrastis canadensis can improve the egg albumen height and modulate the cecum digesta microbiota composition of laying hens.

Efficacy of anti-oxidation potential of homoeopathic medicine Hydrastis canadensis 6C and 200C

The study was intended to investigate the anti-oxidation potential of homoeopathic medicine Hydrastis canadensis 6c and 200c. The anti-oxidation potential of each medicine were evaluated using DPPH method by calculation from absorbance observed using calorimeter. Ascorbic acid and ethanol were taken as standard for comparison. It was observed that Hydrastis canadensis 200c had 81.8% anti-oxidation property and Hydrastis canadensis 6c had 100% anti-oxidation property in comparison to ascorbic acid. Whereas in case of ethanol anti-oxidation potential were 54%.

Benzylisoquinoline alkaloid content in goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) is influenced by phenological stage, reproductive status, and time-of-day

Goldenseal ( Hydrastis canadensis , Ranunculaceae/Hydrastidaceae) is a popular Appalachian medicinal forest plant whose roots and rhizomes are mostly collected from the wild for commerce. The benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIA) berberine, canadine, and hydrastine are believed to be primarily responsible for the bioactivity of goldenseal. To provide a consistent, quality-focused product to consumers, a better understanding of factors that influence major BIA levels is needed. We examined BIA content in relation to phenological stage, reproductive status (i.e., reproductive versus vegetative morphology), and time-of-day in wild and forest-farmed goldenseal collected in Pennsylvania, U.S.A. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that phenological stage and reproductive status influences the BIA concentration in both dried belowground (roots, rhizomes) and aerial portions (leaves, stems). BIA levels were found to be higher in the belowground parts compared to aerial. Moreover, BIA concentrations peaked in both plant aerial and belowground portions at the flowering stage and in the belowground parts at dormancy, suggesting that an early season harvest of aerial tops could be explored in farmed populations in addition to traditional late season “root” harvests. Additionally, hydrastine and canadine levels were found to be greatest in aerial portions at 1600 h over a 24 -h range, which suggests late day as the best time for aerial harvests. Overall, these results provide guidance for optimizing alkaloid content in goldenseal harvests and contributes to the broader understanding of secondary metabolite in relation to plant phenological stage.

Influence of Postharvest Drying Temperatures on Alkaloid Levels in Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.)

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) is a medicinal forest herb native to Appalachia. Its roots and rhizomes are used as an antimicrobial and for the treatment of intestinal ailments. Three alkaloids–berberine, hydrastine, and canadine–are recognized as the major bioactive constituents in goldenseal. One important postharvest processing step for goldenseal is drying; however, it is not known how drying temperature influences the concentrations of these alkaloids. In this study, pre-emergent (dormant) goldenseal samples were freeze-dried or air-dried at six different temperatures (26.7 to 54.4 °C) to determine the relationship between drying temperature and alkaloid content in the rhizome and roots. High performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that berberine and hydrastine levels were unaffected by drying temperature, while canadine levels decreased as temperature increased (0.55% w/w on average when samples were freeze-dried, down to 0.27% w/w on average when dried at 54.4 °C). While canadine is the least abundant alkaloid of the three, it is known to have key antibacterial properties. Developing a more standardized drying protocol for goldenseal could lead to a more predictable phytochemical profile.

Is it safe to consume traditional medicinal plants during pregnancy?

The popularity of natural medicine is growing worldwide. Unlike conventional licensed medicines, herbal medicine practices are usually not supported by effectiveness, efficacy, or safety studies, which raise concerns about potential risks involved in their usage, particularly in high-risk patients such as pregnant women where teratogenicity is a concern. Despite a lack of science-based evidence, the use of herbal products for the management of pregnancy-associated challenges is common, due to the common notion that they are free of toxic effects and adverse reactions because they are "natural." The lack of concern about utilizing herbal remedies during pregnancy is strengthened by the lack of regulation in most countries for their marketing. However, plant-based remedies are not free of adverse reactions. Medicinal plants and herbal remedies contain substances that can be toxic to the human body and the fetus. Potential effects of indiscriminate use of medicinal plants are embryotoxicity, teratogenic, and abortifacient effects. Some plant constituents can cross the placenta and reach the fetus. Phytochemicals and their metabolites are known to induce stimulation of uterine contraction and hormone imbalance that could result in abortion. The alterations to the hormonal profile can affect conception, induce teratogenic activity, and halt the pregnancy or produce a congenital malformation. Due to the wide range of modes of action of phytochemicals, some medicinal plants may be safe to use during certain trimesters of pregnancy and harmful at other stages. 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. The literature reviewed suggests that consumption of the following medicinal plants should be avoided during pregnancy: Abrus precatorius, Achyranthes aspera, Ailanthus excelsa, Aloe vera, Aristolochia indica, Areca catechu, Bambusa vulgaris, Cassia occidentalis, Cicer arietinum, Cimicifuga racemose, Dolichandrone falcate, Ginkgo biloba, Hydrastis canadensis, Indigofera trifoliate, Lavandula latifolia, Maytenus ilicifolia, Momordica cymbalaria, Moringa oleifera, Musa rosacea, Oxalis corniculate, Phytolacca dodecandra, Plumeria rubra, Ricinus communis, Ruta graveolens, Stachys lavandulifolia, Senna alata, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Vitus agnus-castus, and Valeriana officinalis.

Hydrastinine with uterine bleeding.

Analyzing the pharmaceutical treatment of uterine bleeding, the author quite rightly stops at ergot preparations and hydrastis canadensis, as the most effective means. Ergot acts mainly on the very muscle of the uterus and, therefore, is shown in atonic bleeding, depending for example. from insufficient postpartum involution of the uterus, while hydrastis is most useful for so-called secondary bleeding that occurs under the influence of diseases of the uterine appendages, with chronic endometritis, in the menopausal period, in girls, etc. The disadvantage of this remedy, in the form of a liquid extract, is that it does not work well when used when bleeding has already occurred, and that to get the proper effect, it must be taken long (two weeks) before the expected Meno-or metrorrhagia.

To the casuistry of perforating the uterus of the patient herself in order to induce an abortion

Dr. Piotrovich's trial prompts me to report the following case from my practice:On May 13, 1889, I was invited to the Dudu K-shianz, the wife of a small greenery merchant. The patient complained of severe abdominal pains, mainly at the bottom, bleeding, vomiting, headache and weakness. Anamnesis of the following: married 5 years, has 3 children, last one 1 year 3 months. Always healthy, she fell ill only 3 days ago with bleeding after she fell down the stairs. Regulations always come correctly, after a month, last 5 days, are not abundant and not painful; while breastfeeding all children she was menstruating all the time: the last regulations ended a week ago. Before me, another doctor was invited, who was told the same anamnesis as me, but since the patient refused to be examined by a man, he prescribed her hydrastis canadensis for now, in view of significant bleeding, and did not visit her again.

A Laconic Review on Extraction, Biological Activities of Herbal Formulations of Berberine: A Traditional Drug

Herbal formulation dosage form consists of one or more herbs processed in specified quantities to provide specific nutritional, cosmetic benefits use to diagnose the disease. Herbal formulations contain an active substance and preparation in combination of one or more herbal compounds. Berberis aristata is one of herbs of an ancient Ayurveda medicine and different properties along with various treatment of illness. Berberine, is a type of alkaloid which is quarternary protoberberine, is one of the known bioactive compounds scattered extensively in a number of clinically significant medicinal plants such as Hydrastis canadensis L., Phellodendron amurense R. ,Coptis japonica M., and Berberine containing plants have been used in traditional and folk medicine around the globe for centuries. It has been used for a, anti-pyretic diarrhea, bitter tonic, and eye infections. In the past three eras, Berberine has been studied intensively in over thousands cases because of its therapeutics, physicochemical effects, pharmacological, and physiological effects such as cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory, anti leshmanial, and anti- secretory, effects. Berberine act as a phytoconstituents in formulations and available in ayurveda, allopathy, and homeopathy medicines. With this review, we will evaluate the various traditional and medicinal use of Berberine and their isolation and extraction procedure. We will also review the potential of this plant as various dosage forms for the treatment of various diseases.&#x0D; Keywords: Berberine; Extraction Method; Isolation method; Skin problems

In Vitro Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of Homeopathic Mother Tincture and Total Phenolic Content

Background: Antioxidants are those compounds which scavengers the free radicals, widely used in health protection and prescribed on large scale in biomedical health care units. In homeopathic system of medicine mother tinctures are prescribed. Mother tinctures of medicinal plants are having the potential to treat the various acute and chronic ailments.&#x0D; Objectives: The present study was accompanied to determine the total phenolic content and the antioxidant activity of homeopathic mother tincture of plant origin i.e. Baptisia tinctoria, Berberis aquifolium, Echinacea angustifolia, Hydrangea arborescens, Hydrastis canadensis, Kreosotum, and Thuja occidentalis in comparison with ascorbic acid.&#x0D; Methods: Antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) inhibition assay method. A volume of 0.1 mM solution of DPPH was used while mother tinctures (1.25, 5, 2.5 μl volumes) were used for evaluation of antioxidant activity. Ascorbic acid was taken as a standard control and alcohol as negative control in antioxidant activity protocol. Total phenolic content was measured by Folin–Ciocalteu reagent assay. Total phenolic content of mother tinctures was measured in comparison with ascorbic acid.&#x0D; Results: All tested homeopathic mother tinctures of plant origin showed significant antioxidant potential except Hydrangea arborescens and Kreosotum. Alcohol which was used as negative control exhibited no antioxidant activity. Pulsatilla nigricans possess highest antioxidant potential 85±0.3 among other tested mother tinctures against DPPH free radical and 98.8±2 maximum no of phenolic contents.&#x0D; Conclusion: Homeopathic Mother Tinctures of plant origin showed antioxidant activity due to presence of phenolic content.

Evaluation of Antidepressant Potential of Hydrastis canadensis in Mice

BACKGROUND: Depression is one of the most common chronic psychological disorders around the world presenting with many interpersonal and social problems. Common antidepressants have various adverse effects and are not safe for long-term therapy. Alternative safer remedies are under investigation with a focus on herbal therapies. Hydrastis canadensis is a perennial herb, rich in many phytoconstituents ranging from amino acids to alkaloids, flavonoids, and steroids. It is also widely used in Chinese folklore tradition for mood elevating effects; however, this has not been scientifically proven.&#x0D; AIM: This study is thus aimed at evaluating antidepressant potential of this plant.&#x0D; MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ethanolic extract of dried root of plant was prepared by maceration technique and was subjected to phytochemical screening. Mice were divided into four groups (n = 5). Tween 80, 2 ml (negative control), fluoxetine 10 mg/kg (positive control), and extracts at 150 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg were administered by intraperitoneal route to mice in their respective groups. The locomotor activity was assessed for 5 min using actimeter at 0, 30, and 60 min for each animal. Increase in locomotion was an index of antidepressant effect. The mean value of each group was calculated and results were compared by one-way ANOVA. p &lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant.&#x0D; RESULTS: Phytochemical screening yielded positive results for alkaloids and saponins. Locomotion was increased in groups treated with fluoxetine and extract at 150 mg and 250 mg/kg dose when compared to negative control (1% – Tween 80). This was an index of antidepressant effect. However, the results were statistically significant (p &lt; 0.05) for fluoxetine and extract treated groups at 250 mg/kg. Fluoxetine demonstrated the highest antidepressant effect.&#x0D; CONCLUSION: This study has demonstrated the antidepressant potential of Hydrastis canadensis ethanolic extract. Further studies are required to validate these findings on other experimental models. The specific active constituent and effects at cellular level need to be evaluated.

Hydrastis Canadensis in obstetrics

The desire to find a remedy that would have a hemostatic effect and would not have an ecbolic effect, prompted the author to try Hydrastis Canadensis on 64 women pregnant and mothers in labor.

Western herbal remedies for Urinary Tract infections

Fourteen medicinal plants native to North America and Europe traditionally used for treatment urinary tract infections (UTIs) were reviewed for their traditional uses, pharmacological activities, Active compounds responsible for its therapeutic potential, mechanism of action of its active compounds and In Vitro and In Vivo studies of its activity in treatment of UTIs. Those medicinal plants were Junipers (Juniperus spp.), Uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis, S. virgaurea and S. gigantea), Common nettle (Urtica dioica), Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), Corn silk (Stigma maydis), Couch grass (Agropyrum repens). Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis), Hosretail (Equisetum arvense), Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis). Buchu (Agathosma betulina and A. crenulata) and Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium). All of those medicinal plants found to have various pharmaceutical activities making it potent herbal remedies for UTIs in addition to various human diseases.

In Vitro Assessment of Homeopathic Potencies of Hydrastis canadensis on Hormone-Dependent and Independent Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Conventional treatment such as chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and radiotherapy has decreased the mortality rate among cancer patients but has also revealed long-term side effects. Drug resistance and toxicity to normal cells compound the problems associated with the use of modern medicines. Hence, complementary or alternative treatment options are being explored. The current study, using different homeopathic potencies of Hydrastis canadensis, was conducted to distinguish between any effects they might have on hormone-dependent and independent breast cancer. The cytotoxic effect of homeopathic medicine Hydrastis on hormone-dependent (MCF 7) and hormone-independent (MDA-MB-468) breast cancer cells was assessed using viability and colony-forming assays after 48 or 72 hours of treatment. Flow cytometry-based Annexin V-PI (propidium iodide), caspase 3 and cell cycle analysis was performed following treatment of cells with mother tincture or various potencies of Hydrastis (1C, 2C, 30C, 200C). Different potencies of Hydrastis displayed selective cytotoxic effects against MCF 7 cells, but only marginal effects against MDA-MB-468. The maximum cytotoxicity was established in the case of 1C following 72 hours of treatment. Treatment of breast cancer cells revealed an increase in the G0/G1 cell population, along with an increase in the caspase 3 levels and induction of apoptosis. Hydrastis may have a selective cytotoxic effect against hormone-dependent breast cancer MCF 7 cells, leading to cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase, which could be the plausible reason for the induction of apoptosis. The results need to be validated in vivo.

Modulation of Major Human Liver Microsomal Cytochromes P450 by Component Alkaloids of Goldenseal: Time-Dependent Inhibition and Allosteric Effects.

Botanical and other natural products (NPs) are often coconsumed with prescription medications, presenting a risk for cytochrome P450 (P450)-mediated NP-drug interactions. The NP goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) has exhibited antimicrobial activities in vitro attributed to isoquinoline alkaloids contained in the plant, primarily berberine, (-)-β-hydrastine, and to a lesser extent, hydrastinine. These alkaloids contain methylenedioxyphenyl rings, structural alerts with potential to inactivate P450s through formation of metabolic intermediate complexes. Time-dependent inhibition experiments were conducted to evaluate their ability to inhibit major P450 activities in human liver microsomes by using a cocktail of isozyme-specific substrate probes. Berberine inhibited CYP2D6 (dextromethorphan O-demethylation; K I = 2.7 μM, kinact = 0.065 minute-1) and CYP3A4/5 (midazolam 1'-hydroxylation; K I = 14.8 μM, kinact = 0.019 minute-1); (-)-β-hydrastine inhibited CYP2C9 (diclofenac 4'-hydroxylation; K I = 49 μM, kinact = 0.036 minute-1), CYP2D6 (K I > 250 μM, kinact > 0.06 minute-1), and CYP3A4/5 (K I = 28 μM, kinact = 0.056 minute-1); and hydrastinine inhibited CYP2D6 (K I = 37 μM, kinact = 0.049 minute-1) activity. Berberine additionally exhibited allosteric effects on midazolam hydroxylation, showing both positive and negative heterotropic cooperativity. Experiments with recombinant isozymes showed that berberine activated midazolam 1'-hydroxylation by CYP3A5, lowering K m(app), but showed mixed inhibition and negative cooperativity toward this reaction when catalyzed by CYP3A4. Berberine inactivated CYP3A4 at a much faster rate than CYP3A5 and was a noncompetitive inhibitor of midazolam 4-hydroxylation by CYP3A4 but a strong mixed inhibitor of the CYP3A5 catalyzed reaction. These complex kinetics should be considered when extrapolating the risk for NP-drug interactions involving goldenseal. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Robust kinetic parameters were determined for the reversible and time-dependent inhibition of CYP2C9, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4/5 activities in human liver microsomes by major component isoquinoline alkaloids contained in the botanical natural product goldenseal. The alkaloid berberine also exhibited opposing, isozyme-specific allosteric effects on midazolam hydroxylation mediated by recombinant CYP3A4 (inhibition) and CYP3A5 (activation). These data will inform the development of a physiologically based pharmacokinetic model that can be used to predict potential clinically relevant goldenseal-drug interactions.

Identification of adulteration in botanical samples with untargeted metabolomics.

Adulteration remains an issue in the dietary supplement industry, including botanical supplements. While it is common to employ a targeted analysis to detect known adulterants, this is difficult when little is known about the sample set. With this study, untargeted metabolomics using liquid chromatography coupled to ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (LC-UV) or high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was employed to detect adulteration in botanical dietary supplements. A training set was prepared by combining Hydrastis canadensis L. with a known adulterant, Coptis chinensis Franch., in ratios ranging from 5 to 95% adulteration. The metabolomics datasets were analyzed using both unsupervised (principal component analysis and composite score) and supervised (SIMCA) techniques. Palmatine, a known H. canadensis metabolite, was quantified as a targeted analysis comparison. While the targeted analysis was the most sensitive method tested in detecting adulteration, statistical analyses of the untargeted metabolomics datasets detected adulteration of the goldenseal samples, with SIMCA providing the greatest discriminating potential. Graphical abstract.

Describing Medicinal Non-Timber Forest Product Trade in Eastern Deciduous Forests of the United States

Eastern deciduous forests in the United States have supplied marketable non-timber forest products (NTFP) since the 18th century. However, trade is still largely informal, and the market scope and structure are not well understood. One exception is American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.). Ginseng’s legal status as a threatened species requires that buyers apply for a license and keep sales records that are submitted to a state authority. Other marketable medicinal plants collected from the same forests, known colloquially as ‘off-roots’, are not similarly tracked. To study the characteristics of off-root trade in the eastern deciduous forests of the United States, registered ginseng buyers in 15 eastern states were surveyed in 2015 and 2016 about business attributes, purchase volume, and harvest distribution for 15 off-root species selected for their economic and conservation value. Buyers voluntarily reported harvesting 47 additional NTFP species. The most frequently purchased off-root species were the roots and rhizomes of two perennial understory plants: black cohosh (Actaea racemosa L.) and goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.). Survey data were used to develop a buyer typology and describe the off-root market structure and material sourcing. The buyer typology included four distinct categories: side or specialty (small); seasonal venture (medium); large integrated or dedicated business (large); and dedicated bulk enterprise (regional aggregator). Market activity was mapped across the study area, demonstrating that most off-root trade is concentrated in central Appalachia, an area with extensive forests and a struggling economy. Study methods and data improve non-timber forest product market insights, are useful for forest management, and can support efforts to advance sustainable NTFP supply chains.

Progress and prospects in the management of bacterial infections and developments in Phytotherapeutic modalities.

The advent of antibiotics revolutionized medical care resulting in significantly reduced mortality and morbidity caused by infectious diseases. However, excessive use of antibiotics has led to the development of antibiotic resistance and indeed, the incidence of multidrug-resistant pathogens is considered as a major disadvantage in medication strategy, which has led the scholar's attention towards innovative antibiotic sources in recent years. Medicinal plants contain a variety of secondary metabolites with a wide range of therapeutic potential against the resistant microbes. Therefore, the aim of this review is to explore the antibacterial potential of traditional herbal medicine against bacterial infections. More than 200 published research articles reporting the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants against drug-resistant microbial infections were searched using different databases such as Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed and the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), etc., with various keywords like medicinal plants having antibacterial activities, antimicrobial potentials, phytotherapy of bacterial infection, etc. 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. 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.

Berberine for Colorectal Adenoma Chemoprevention

Berberine — a compound found in several plants, including goldenseal, barberry, Oregon grape, and tree turmeric — has been part of traditional Chinese

Composite score analysis for unsupervised comparison and network visualization of metabolomics data

Metabolomics-based approaches are becoming increasingly popular to interrogate the chemical basis for phenotypic differences in biological systems. Successful metabolomics studies employ multivariate data analysis to compare large and highly complex datasets. A primary tool for unsupervised statistical analyses, principal component analysis (PCA), relies on the selection of a subsection of a maximum of three components from a larger model to visually represent similarity. The use of only three principal components limits the comprehensiveness of the model and can mask discrimination between samples. We have developed a new statistical metric, the composite score (CS), as a univariate statistic that incorporates multiple principal components to calculate a correlation matrix that enables quantitative comparisons of sample similarity between samples within one dataset based upon measured metabolome profiles. Composite score values were tabulated using profiles of complex extracts of dietary supplements from the plant Hydrastis canadensis (goldenseal) as a case study. Several outliers were unambiguously identified, and a PCA composite score network was developed to provide a graphical representation of the composite score matrix. Comparison with visualization using PCA score plots or dendrograms from hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) demonstrates the utility of the composite score to as a tool for metabolomics studies that seek to quantify similarity among samples. An R-script for the calculation of composite score has been made available.

Hydrastis canadensis, an important homeopathic medicine in otorhinolaryngology

Nasopharyngitis or conditions affecting the upper airways, incipient or recurrent, are common reasons for consulting a homeopathic doctor, whether he or she is a general practitioner, paediatrician or ENT specialist. Among the homeopathic medicines prescribed, Hydrastis canadensis, goldenseal, is a medicine with a known pathogenesis and clinical efficacy which has been observed in practice. In the light of three observations, the materia medica of this medicine is analysed.