Variations in Alkaloid Concentrations in Wild-harvested Goldenseal from Western North Carolina

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) is a perennial herb found in the eastern United States that has been used traditionally for the treatment of various infections. The principle antimicrobial alkaloid components of goldenseal are berberine (1) and hydrastine (2). We have measured the concentrations by HPLC of 1 and 2 in goldenseal plants collected from several sites in western North Carolina in order to determine the variability of alkaloid concentrations within and between populations. We are also performing genetic marker analyses to measure genetic variation among these plants. We have found little variation of levels of 1 or 2 within the populations, but significant differences have been found between plants from different sites. These results will assist in a larger study to determine the feasibility of breeding a cultivar of goldenseal.