Large Scale Secondary Metabolite Production: The Sanguinarine Story

Abstract

Sanguinarine is a benzo-phenanthridine alkaloid found in the rhizomes of Sanguinaria canadensis mixed with several other alkaloids. The preponderant color of the rhizome of this plant is red and pure sanguinarine is a bright orangy red color. Exposure to air will change this color to a brownish red over a period of time. Sanguinarine has been found to have very significant anti-microbial activity against the oral micro-organisms responsible for plaque build-up and periodontal disease. The irritation caused by periodontus, gum swelling and discomfort is currently only treatable by surgery. The gum pocket resulting at the side of the tooth is removed. This surgery is both cosmetically unattractive, expensive and can cause considerable discomfort. Treatment of periodontal pockets with sanguinarine has been shown to have significant benefits in terms of disease control.