Artichoke: botanical, agronomical, phytochemical, and pharmacological overview

Abstract

Artichoke, Cynaracardunculus, is a dietary and medicinal plant species with a long tradition of use dating back to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. It comprises the globe artichoke, C. cardunculus subsp. scolymus, the cultivated cardoon, C. cardunculus subsp. altilis, and the wild cardoon, C. cardunculus subsp. sylvestris. The edible part of the plant is limited to the fleshy leaves (bracts) and receptacle of a large immature inflorescence, named capitulum or head, that has been shown to be a rich source of bioactive compds. On the other hand, leaves, external bracts and stems discarded by the artichoke processing industry corresponding to about 80-85 % of the total biomass of the plant, represent a suitable potential source of food additives and nutraceuticals. Nutritional and pharmacol. properties of artichoke heads and leaves are attributed mainly to polyphenolic compds. and inulin present at high concn. Other classes of chem. compds., including flavonoids, anthocyanins, sesquiterpenes, and triterpenes have been also found in the plant at lower amts. This review, after a general historical, phytogeog., and ethnobotanical overview, summarizes the current knowledge on the phytochem. and pharmacol. properties of this plant, with special emphasis on the agronomical and nutritional importance of the plant and to the methods of anal., including the recently developed metabolomic studies. [on SciFinder(R)

Identification and quantification of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives in Cynara scolymus L. tablets and capsules

“…However, these studies were carried out mainly in European Countries (Pagano et al, 2016;Petrovic et al, 2008;Falco et al, 2015;Kaymaz et al, 2017). In this study, the absence of cynarin was noted in the leaf extract and two of the three commercial herbal medicines.…”

The wild Egyptian artichoke as a promising functional food for the treatment of hepatitis C virus as revealed via UPLC-MS and clinical trials

“…30%, and a number of subtypes (a, b, and so on) with ∼20% sequence divergence. [11][12][13][14] According to FAO, Egypt is the second top country, after Italy, for producing artichoke in 2010 and 2011, † and is a major vegetable component of the Mediterranean diet. 6,7 HCV is currently the major burden on the health care system in Egypt with infection prevalence almost 10 times greater than any other country in the world and the highest prevalence of HCV genotype 4.…”

“…6,7 HCV is currently the major burden on the health care system in Egypt with infection prevalence almost 10 times greater than any other country in the world and the highest prevalence of HCV genotype 4. [12][13][14]16,17 Additionally, the efficacy and tolerability of coated tablets containing 450 mg artichoke dry extract (CY450, Valverde ® ) were clinically investigated in the treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia and compared with placebo revealed that artichoke is an effective agent for reducing cholesterol. 9 Several plants are used for the treatment of liver problems and HCV infections including milk thistle seed, artichoke, licorice, turmeric, ginseng, carob, nettle seed, nigella, ginger and taraxacum.…”

“…9 Several plants are used for the treatment of liver problems and HCV infections including milk thistle seed, artichoke, licorice, turmeric, ginseng, carob, nettle seed, nigella, ginger and taraxacum. [12][13][14]19 Among artichoke phenolics, only cynarin and, to a lesser extent, caffeic acid showed hepatoprotective action against CCL 4 toxicity 20 arguing that the phenolic content in artichoke mediates for their hepatoprotective effect. [11][12][13][14] According to FAO, Egypt is the second top country, after Italy, for producing artichoke in 2010 and 2011, † and is a major vegetable component of the Mediterranean diet.…”

“…Several in vitro and in vivo experiments have shown that artichokes exhibit hepatoprotective, and hypocholesterolemic properties,[11][12][13][14] unlike reported by Huber et al for the Hepar SL Forte ® artichoke 15. nd = not determined.for discrepancy in biological effects often encountered in most herbal drug studies.…”