Ribes nigrum

Black currant/Drug Interactions:

  • AntibioticsAntibiotics: The high-molecular-weight galactans in black currant seed oil have antiadhesive properties and are able to block H. pylori surface receptors (4).
  • AnticoagulantsAnticoagulants: Based on anecdotal information, black currant may interact with anticoagulants, such as warfarin (Coumadin?), clopidogrel (Plavix?), aspirin (Bayer?, Ecotrin?, St John?), enoxaparin (Lovenox?), and dalteparin (Fragmin?) (1). Black currant contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and stearidonic acid (SDA), which may account for its possible anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic actions.
  • AntihypertensivesAntihypertensives: In a small human study, blackcurrant seed oil (BSO), a rich source of gamma-linolenic acid, decreased the resting blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular reactivity to a psychological stress in borderline hypertensive individuals (11).
  • Anti-ulcer drugsAnti-ulcer drugs: The high-molecular-weight galactans in black currant seed oil have antiadhesive properties and are able to block H. pylori surface receptors (4).
  • Antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)Antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): Based on secondary sources, black currant may have monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) effects.
  • AntiviralsAntivirals: Blackcurant has shown anti-influenza virus effects and inhibitory effects in herpes-simplex-1 attachment on the cell membrane and plaque formation of herpes-simplex-1 and 2 at a 100-fold dilution, as well as the inhibition of varicella-zoster by 50% in vitro (6; 5).
  • ImmunomodulatorsImmunomodulators: Black currant seed oil has a moderate immune-enhancing effect in the elderly, which has been attributed to its ability to reduce prostaglandin E2 production (10).
  • Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents (NSAIDs), COX 2 inhibitorsNonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents (NSAIDs), COX 2 inhibitors: In vitro studies of black currant on COX enzymes indicate the inhibition of prostaglandin E2 synthesis, but prodelphinidin did not affect COX in the whole blood assay in one study (7). In another study, black currant seed oil was reported to markedly alter prostaglandin E2 production, as well as production from cultured monocytes of the cytokines IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha (19). Black currant seed oil is a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may act in the treatment of inflammatory disease. Black currant contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and stearidonic acid (SDA), which may account for its possible anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic actions.

    • Black currant/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • Anticoagulants and antiplateletsAnticoagulants and antiplatelets: Based on anecdotal information, black currant may interact with herbs with anticoagulant effects (1). Black currant contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and stearidonic acid (SDA), which may account for its possible anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic actions.
  • Antidepressant agents, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)Antidepressant agents, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): Based on secondary sources, black currant may have monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) effects.
  • Anti-inflammatoriesAnti-inflammatories: In vitro studies of black currant on COX enzymes indicate the inhibition of prostaglandin E2 synthesis, but prodelphinidin did not affect COX in the whole blood assay in one study (7). In another study, black currant seed oil was reported to markedly alter prostaglandin E2 production, as well as production from cultured monocytes of the cytokines IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha (19). Black currant seed oil is a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which may act in the treatment of inflammatory disease. Black currant contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and stearidonic acid (SDA), which may account for its possible anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic actions.
  • AntioxidantsAntioxidants: Based on laboratory study, black currant anthocyanins have antioxidant effects that are affected by pH value and both moieties of the aglycon and C-3 sugar (18).
  • AntiviralsAntivirals: Blackcurant has shown anti-influenza virus effects and inhibitory effects in herpes-simplex-1 attachment on the cell membrane and plaque formation of herpes-simplex-1 and 2 at a 100-fold dilution, as well as the inhibition of varicella-zoster by 50% in vitro (6; 5).
  • HypotensivesHypotensives: In a small human study, blackcurrant seed oil (BSO), a rich source of gamma-linolenic acid, decreased the resting blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular reactivity to a psychological stress in borderline hypertensive individuals (11).
  • ImmunomodulatorsImmunomodulators: Black currant seed oil has a moderate immune-enhancing effect in the elderly, most probably attributed to its ability to reduce prostaglandin E2 production (10).
  • Rutin containing herbsRutin containing herbs: Black currant fruit and juice contain rutin and other flavonoids. The flavonoids found in black currant belong to one of two classes: the anthocyanin class or the proanthocyanidin class (20).
  • Vitamin CVitamin C: Black currant fruit has a high vitamin C content.

    • Black currant/Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • Black currant/Lab Interactions:

  • Coagulation panelCoagulation panel: Based on anecdotal information, black currant may have coagulation properties (1).