Arctium lappa

Burdock/Drug Interactions:

  • AntibioticsAntibiotics: The antibacterial activity of burdock has been attributed to the presence of polyacetylenes (39); burdock has been reported to exhibit in vitro activity against Gram-negative bacteria, including E. coli, Shigella flexneri, and Shigella sonnei.
  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: Lignans in burdock have been found to inhibit the binding of platelet-activating factor (PAF) to platelets in rabbits (23) and theoretically may act additively with other antiplatelet agents. Human data are limited.
  • Antidiabetic agentsAntidiabetic agents: Burdock fruit extracts have demonstrated hypoglycemic activity in rats (1) and may lower blood glucose levels in humans (2; 3; 4). Although streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice given burdock paradoxically experienced hyperglycemia (38), the mechanism of burdock's effects on serum glucose is unclear, and the clinical relevance of this conflicting report is uncertain. A review reported that the root of burdock contains antidiabetic constituents (10).
  • Antigout agentsAntigout agents: Theoretically, burdock may interact with antigout agents (40).
  • Anti-inflammatory agentsAnti-inflammatory agents: In an animal model, subcutaneous administration of Arctium lappa crude extract exhibited free radical-scavenging activity and was found to reduce rat paw edema (41).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: Burdock exhibited in vitro cytostatic activity against experimental cancer cell lines and has been found to inhibit the tumor-promoting activity of Epstein-Barr virus in Swiss mice (resulting in inhibition, hemorrhagic necrosis, and liquefaction of tumors) (42; 43). In vitro data have found dismutagenic activity of burdock against 4-NO2-1, 2-DAB, ethidium bromide, and other mutagens (9), which has been attributed to the burdock constituent arctigenin (44). In vitro studies have suggested that fresh burdock juice inhibits DMBA-induced chromosomal abnormalities (45; 46).
  • Antiretroviral agentsAntiretroviral agents: Inhibition of HIV-1 virus infection has been demonstrated in vitro (12). Several lignans are under investigation as antivirals (particularly anti-HIV) (47).
  • Cardiovascular agentsCardiovascular agents: Atropine-like (anticholinergic) reactions such as bradycardia have been reported following the consumption of burdock products (24; 25; 26; 27). These cases are believed to be due to contamination with belladonna alkaloids, which resemble burdock during harvesting. Burdock itself has been found to lack atropine or other constituents that would be responsible for these reactions.
  • Disulfiram (Antabuse?)Disulfiram (Antabuse?): Tinctures of burdock may contain high concentrations of alcohol (ethanol) and may lead to vomiting if used with disulfiram (Antabuse?).
  • DiureticsDiuretics: Oral burdock use has been associated with diuretic effects in HIV patients (11).
  • Hormonal agentsHormonal agents: Oral burdock use has been associated with estrogenic effects in HIV patients (11) and may act additively with estrogens.
  • Metronidazole (Flagyl?)Metronidazole (Flagyl?): Tinctures of burdock may contain high concentrations of alcohol (ethanol) and may lead to vomiting if used with metronidazole (Flagyl?).

    • Burdock/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AntibacterialsAntibacterials: The antibacterial activity of burdock has been attributed to the presence of polyacetylenes (39); burdock has been reported to exhibit in vitro activity against Gram-negative bacteria, including E. coli, Shigella flexneri, and Shigella sonnei.
  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: Lignans in burdock have been found to inhibit the binding of platelet-activating factor (PAF) to platelets in rabbits (23).
  • Antigout herbs and supplementsAntigout herbs and supplements: Theoretically, burdock may interact with antigout herbs and supplements (40).
  • Anti-inflammatory herbsAnti-inflammatory herbs: In an animal model, subcutaneous administration of Arctium lappa crude extract exhibited free radical-scavenging activity and was found to reduce rat paw edema (41). Lignans in burdock exhibited antagonism of platelet-activating factor (PAF) binding to platelets in rabbits (23).
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: Burdock exhibited in vitro cytostatic activity against experimental cancer cell lines and has been found to inhibit the tumor-promoting activity of Epstein-Barr virus in Swiss mice (resulting in inhibition, hemorrhagic necrosis, and liquefaction of tumors) (42; 43). In vitro data have found dismutagenic activity of burdock against 4-NO2-1, 2-DAB, ethidium bromide, and other mutagens (9), which has been attributed to the burdock constituent arctigenin (44). In vitro studies have suggested that fresh burdock juice inhibits DMBA-induced chromosomal abnormalities (45; 46).
  • AntioxidantsAntioxidants: In an animal model, subcutaneous administration of Arctium lappa crude extract exhibited free radical-scavenging activity and was found to reduce rat paw edema (41).
  • AntiviralsAntivirals: Inhibition of HIV-1 virus infection has been demonstrated in vitro (12). Several lignans are now under investigations as antivirals (particularly anti-HIV) (47).
  • Cardiovascular agentsCardiovascular agents: Atropine-like (anticholinergic) reactions such as bradycardia have been reported following the consumption of burdock products (24; 25; 26; 27). These cases are believed to be due to contamination with belladonna alkaloids, which resemble burdock during harvesting. Burdock itself has been found to lack atropine or other constituents that would be responsible for these reactions.
  • DiureticsDiuretics: Oral burdock use has been associated with diuretic effects in HIV patients (11).
  • GingerGinger: In a human case series from the 1930s, subjects were fed a batter prepared from 90g of burdock powder (exposed to low heat), 36g of butter, water, salt, saccharin, and several drops of ginger fluid extract, resulting in a blood glucose-lowering effect (2).
  • Hormonal agentsHormonal agents: Oral burdock use has been associated with estrogenic effects in HIV patients (11) and may act additively with estrogens. Oral burdock use has been associated with estrogenic effects in HIV patients (11).
  • Hypoglycemics and hyperglycemicsHypoglycemics and hyperglycemics: Burdock fruit extracts have demonstrated hypoglycemic activity in rats (1) and may lower blood glucose levels in humans (2; 3; 4). Although streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice given burdock paradoxically experienced hyperglycemia (38), the mechanism of burdock's effects on serum glucose is unclear, and the clinical relevance of this conflicting report is uncertain. A review reported that the root of burdock contains antidiabetic constituents (10).
  • Nondigestible oligosaccharidesNondigestible oligosaccharides: Theoretically, burdock may interact with nondigestible oligosaccharides.
  • PhytoestrogensPhytoestrogens: Oral burdock use has been associated with estrogenic effects in HIV patients (11).

    • Burdock/Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • Burdock/Lab Interactions:

  • Anti-inflammatory markersAnti-inflammatory markers: Arctiin was found to lower the concentration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 in vitro (20).
  • Coagulation panelCoagulation panel: Lignans in burdock have been found to inhibit binding of platelet-activating factor (PAF) to platelets in rabbits (23).
  • PotassiumlevelsPotassiumlevels: Burdock has been associated with diuretic effects in one human report and in theory may cause dehydration or electrolyte imbalances (for example, changes in potassium or sodium levels in the blood) (11).
  • Serum glucoseSerum glucose: Burdock fruit extracts have demonstrated hypoglycemic activity in rats (1) and may lower blood glucose levels in humans (2; 3; 4). Although streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice given burdock paradoxically experienced hyperglycemia, the mechanism of burdock's effects on serum glucose is unclear (38), and the clinical relevance of this conflicting report is uncertain. A review reported that the root of burdock contains antidiabetic constituents (10).
  • Sodium levelsSodium levels: Burdock has been associated with diuretic effects in one human report and in theory may cause dehydration or electrolyte imbalances (for example, changes in potassium or sodium levels in the blood) (11).