Herb-Drug Interactions: Greater celandine

Chelidonium maps L. (Papaveraceae)

Synonym(s) and related species

Celandine, Common celandine, Garden celandine, Swallow wort.

Not to be confused with lesser celandine (Ranunculus flcaria L.).

Pharmacopoeias

Greater Celandine (British Ph 2009, European Ph, 6th ed., 2008 and Supplements 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4).

Constituents

All parts of the plant contain benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, including berberine, chelerythrine, chelidonine, coptisine, cryptopine, protopine and sanguinarine.

Use and indications

Greater celandine has been traditionally used in the treatment of jaundice, gallbladder and biliary diseases, and eczema and other skin disorders. In Chinese medicine it has been used as an antitussive, anti-inflammatory and detoxicant. However, information on the safety and toxicity of greater celandine is limited: hepatotoxic effects, including severe hepatitis, severe cholestasis and fibrosis, have been reported with long-term use (one month or more).

Pharmacokinetics

No relevant pharmacokinetic data for greater celandine found, but see berberine, for details on this constituent of greater celandine.

Interactions overview

No interactions with greater celandine found. However, for the interactions of one of its constituents, berberine, see under berberine.