Cynara scolymus L., called artichoke or globe artichoke, is a
perennial herbaceous plant cultivated worldwide. This plant is a common
component of the Mediterranean diet and has been used as a remedy for
health conditions since antiquity. The aim of this review is to find the
health-promoting properties of artichoke, conducting a literature search
in PubMed. The results show that 119 studies describe these effects and
17 health benefits of artichoke are reported in the scientific
literature. Antioxidant activity and effects on the liver and lipid
profile are the main health-promoting properties of this plant. We found
that artichoke also improves cardiovascular and gastrointestinal health
and exerts anticancer, antimetabolic and antiobesity, prebiotic and
probiotic, renoprotective and antidiabetic activities. Only one or two
research articles reported the positive effects of this plant on the
immune system, arthritis, photoaging, the reproductive system, the
nervous system, fungal infections and periodontal diseases. The health
benefits are mainly exerted by phenolics. In conclusion, this review
shows the health-promoting properties of artichoke. The main beneficial
effects are antioxidant activity and effects on lipid profile and the
liver, which are mainly mediated by phenolics. The results of the
scientific articles described in this review and the molecular
mechanisms related to the health benefits of artichoke should be
confirmed by future experimental studies.
Keywords: Artichoke, Cynara scolymus L., Antioxidant,
Hepatoprotective, Lipid profile
Impact statement: Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) has
many health benefits and the main properties are antioxidant activity
and effects on the liver and lipid profile.