Watercress and influence on the Epigenome

DNA contains the genetic code of organisms, like a recipe book, that holds the instructions for making all the proteins in our bodies. The DNA molecule itself contains a huge amount of information absolutely critical in the context of maintaining health and consequently preventing disease development.

Why is the epigenome important?

The Epigenome is made up of chemical compounds and proteins that are attached to the DNA and control actions such as turning genes on or off thereby  controlling production of proteins. Such specialized processes are implicated in disease states and are major targets in drug development by pharmaceutical companies.

How does watercress affect the epigenome?

There’s a compound in watercress that sits under a group of compounds in watercress, called isothiocyanates (ITCs), and the one specifically abundant is called phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC). This compound is mentioned in many of our pages associated with research involving watercress - (Nasturtium officinale). We have particular interest in this compound as it’s believed that PEITC influences genes associated with the development of various diseases. In the context of carcinogenesis (could take a long time, in our cells, to develop) there are three stages involved namely initiation, promotion and progression. Scientific evidence suggests that PEITC, in watercress, could potentially influence some of these stages by means involving epigenetic mechanisms.