Lepidium sativum
Garden cress/Drug Interactions:
AntibioticsAntibiotics: The garden cress constituent, benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), displays antibacterial properties. When combined with penicillin G and erythromycin, garden cress was found to inhibit the growth of a resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3). When combined with chloramphenicol, gentamicin, cephalosporins, and nalidixic acid, the activity of these agents was improved. AntidiabeticsAntidiabetics: According to animal research, the aqueous extract of garden cress may reduce blood glucose levels (11). AntihypertensivesAntihypertensives: In animal research, the aqueous extract of garden cress decreased blood pressure (10).AntilipemicsAntilipemics: In animal research, garden cress oil lowered hepatic cholesterol, serum triglyceride, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (16). AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In epidemiological and animal studies, cruciferous vegetables, such as garden cress, have been shown to protect humans against cancer and reduce chemically induced tumor formation, due to their constituent products, glucosinolates (17). DiureticsDiuretics: In animal research, the aqueous extract of garden cress exerted diuretic activity (10).Potassium-depleting agentsPotassium-depleting agents: In animal research, the aqueous extract of garden cress significantly increased the urinary elimination of potassium (10). Theoretically, concurrent use may increase the risk of hypokalemia.Potassium saltsPotassium salts: In animal research, the aqueous extract of garden cress significantly increased the urinary elimination of potassium (10).Sodium-containing agentsSodium-containing agents: In animal research, the aqueous extract of garden cress significantly increased the urinary elimination of sodium (10).Garden cress/Herb/Supplement Interactions:
AntibacterialsAntibacterials: The garden cress constituent, benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), displays antibacterial properties. When combined with penicillin G and erythromycin, garden cress was found to inhibit the growth of a resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3). When combined with chloramphenicol, gentamicin, cephalosporins, and nalidixic acid, the activity of these agents was improved. AntilipemicsAntilipemics: In animal research, garden cress oil lowered hepatic cholesterol, serum triglycerides, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (16). AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In epidemiological and animal studies, cruciferous vegetables, such as garden cress, have been shown to protect humans against cancer and reduce chemically induced tumor formation, due to their constituent products (17). AntioxidantsAntioxidants: Garden cress has shown antioxidant activity against linoleic acid peroxidation comparable with that of dl-alpha-tocopherol and quercetin (18). ChlorideChloride: In animal research, the aqueous extract of garden cress significantly increased the urinary elimination of chlorides (10).DiureticsDiuretics: In animal research, the aqueous extract of garden cress exerted diuretic activity (10).Essential fatty acidsEssential fatty acids: In an animal study, feeding GCO resulted in decreases in linoleic and arachidonic acids (omega-6) and increases in ALA (serum, liver, and adipose), as well as longer-chain omega-3 fatty acids, EPA, and DHA (serum, liver, heart, and brain) (16). Fiber supplementsFiber supplements: In clinical research, the bran content in garden cress was comparable to proprietary dietary fiber due to its high water-holding capacity and desirable functional properties, such as dispersibility, gelling ability, stability, formed homogenous mild alkaline suspension, and high fiber content (19). The edible whole seed of garden cress has health-promoting properties and can be utilized as a functional food. HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: According to animal research, the aqueous extract of garden cress may reduce blood glucose levels (11). HypotensivesHypotensives: In animal research, the aqueous extract of garden cress decreased blood pressure (10).PotassiumPotassium: In animal research, the aqueous extract of garden cress significantly increased the urinary elimination of potassium (10).Potassium-depleting agentsPotassium-depleting agents: In animal research, the aqueous extract of garden cress significantly increased the urinary elimination of potassium (10).SodiumSodium: In animal research, the aqueous extract of garden cress significantly increased the urinary elimination of sodium (10).Garden cress/Food Interactions:
Omega-3 rich foodsOmega-3 rich foods: Garden cress seed oil (GCO) is a rich source of the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) (16). In an animal study, GCO resulted in decreases in linoleic and arachidonic acids (omega-6) and increases in ALA (serum, liver, and adipose), as well as longer-chain omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA (serum, liver, heart, and brain) (16). Garden cress/Lab Interactions:
Blood pressureBlood pressure: In animal research, the aqueous extract of garden cress decreased blood pressure (10).ChlorideChloride: In animal research, the aqueous extract of garden cress significantly increased the urinary elimination of chlorides (10).Essential fatty acidsEssential fatty acids: In an animal research, GCO resulted in decreases in linoleic and arachidonic acids (omega-6) and increases in ALA (serum, liver, and adipose), as well as longer-chain omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA (serum, liver, heart, and brain) (16) GlucoseGlucose: According to animal research, the aqueous extract of garden cress may reduce blood glucose levels (11). Lipid profileLipid profile: In animal research, garden cress oil lowered hepatic cholesterol, serum triglyceride, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (16). Liver enzymesLiver enzymes: According to human research, garden cress may reduce serum AST, ALT, and ALP levels, and bilirubin concentrations (6).PotassiumPotassium: In animal research, the aqueous extract of garden cress significantly increased the urinary elimination of potassium (10).SodiumSodium: In animal research, the aqueous extract of garden cress significantly increased the urinary elimination of sodium (10).