Pharmacological Studies of Artichoke Leaf Extract and Their Health Benefits

Abstract

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaf extract was one of the few herbal remedies which the clinical and experimental trials have complemented each other. Both experimental and clinical effects have been verified through extensive biomedical herbal remedy research. Specifically, antioxidant, choleretic, hepatoprotective, bile-enhancing and lipid-lowering effects have been demonstrated, which corresponded with its historical use. Ongoing research seems to indicate that artichoke indeed have medicinal qualities. Most significant appears to be its beneficial effect on the liver. In animal studies, liquid extracts of the roots and leaves of artichoke have demonstrated an ability to protect the liver, with possibly even to help liver cells regenerate. Although research is not yet conclusive, scientists were optimistic that its long-standing use in humans for digestive and bowel problems was indeed justified. It may also play a role in lowering cholesterol and thus help to prevent heart disease. Boiled wild artichoke reduced postprandial glycemic and insulinemic responses in normal subjects but has no effect on metabolic syndrome patients. This article intended to review the wide ranging pharmacological effects of artichoke leaf extract.

The Modulatory Role of Artichoke leaves Water Extract on Lipid Status on Rats Fed High Fat Diet

“…Treatment of hyperlipidemia needs diet control, exercise, and using lipid-lowering compounds such as drugs and diet (Salem, et al, 2015).…”

Role of Multidrug Resistance Protein 3 in Antifungal-Induced Cholestasis

“…It was reported to stimulate biliary secretion in humans (Kirchhoff et al, 1994;Matuschowski et al, 2005) and to have lipid-lowering properties (Adzet et al, 1987;Kraft, 1997;Wegener and Fintelmann, 1999). The active ingredients in artichoke leaves extract are cynarin and luteolin (Ben Salem et al, 2015). Similarly, boldo leaves extract (Peumus boldus Mol.)…”

Comparative Chemomapping of Phytoconstituents from Different Extracts of Globe Artichoke - Cynara Scolymus L.

“…Globe artichoke features a relatively high antioxidant capacity [6][7], its hepatoprotective, bile-enhancing and lipid-lowering effects have been demonstrated [8], while its implications in preventing cardiovascular disease by its lipidic and glycemic-reducing action has also been confirmed [9][10]. Moreover, its putative anticancer effect has been studied, and some experimental data suggests that artichoke extracts could be applied as a nonconventional, adjuvant therapy for cancer chemoprevention and/or treatment [11][12][13].…”