Artichoke

Artichoke is a perennial plant that resembles a thistle and belongs to the composite family. It can grow up to 2 metres in height and is composed of large split leaves. In July, large blueish-purple flowers blossom. It is interesting to note that its stamens are irritants. When it comes into contact with an insect, for example, the filaments contract and a pinch of pollen is delivered by the anthers.

Latin name

Cynara scolymus L.

Origin

The artichoke and cardoon probably share a common ancestor: wild cardoon is found throughout the Mediterranean basin.

Used part

The leaves.

Active components

Phenolic acids (cynarine, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid): these substances are powerful antioxidants. Cynarine is responsible for the artichoke’s bitter taste and its stimulating effect on the liver, among other properties.

Flavonoids (luteolin): this yellow colourant is also a powerful antioxidant.

Inulin: this sweet tasting polysaccharide is indigestible by humans but contributes to healthy intestinal flora.

Usage

The use of the artichoke dates back to ancient times. It is one of the longest cultivated vegetables in the world: it was, for example, cultivated by the Greeks and the Romans at the height of their powers. Later on, it was also used as an ornamental plant in the gardens of the monasteries. Its fleshy receptacle and the base of its bracts are edible as a vegetable, while the leaves are used in phytotherapy and the manufacture of aperitifs. Artichokes are rich in antioxidants and therefore offer protection against free radicals. ₁ Artichokes support detoxification and liver function. _2,4 It protects the liver against the effects of toxic substances. _5,11 Moreover, the plant is known to stimulate digestion and support intestinal comfort. _12-15

Bibliographical references

Antioxidative and protective properties of extracts from leaves of the artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) against hydroperoxide-induced oxidative stress in cultured rat hepatocytes.
Gebhardt R.
Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1997 Jun;144(2):279-86.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9194411
Increase in choleresis by means of artichoke extract.
Kirchhoff R, Beckers C, Kirchhoff GM, Trinczek-Gärtner H, Petrowicz O, Reimann HJ. Phytomedicine. 1994 Sep;1(2):107-15.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23195882
Artichoke leaf extract - Recent findings reflecting effects on lipid metabolism, liver and gastrointestinal tracts.
Kraft K.
Phytomedicine. 1997 Dec;4(4):369-78.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23195590
Anticholestatic activity of flavonoids from artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) and of their metabolites.
Gebhardt R.
Med Sci Monit. 2001 May;7 Suppl 1:316-20.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12211745
Hepatoprotective activity of polyphenolic compounds from Cynara scolymus against CCl4 toxicity in isolated rat hepatocytes
Adzet T, Camarasa J, Laguna JC.
J Nat Prod. 1987 Jul-Aug;50(4):612-7.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3430163
Effect of pretreatment with artichoke extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury and oxidative stress.
Mehmetçik G, Ozdemirler G, Koçak-Toker N, Cevikbaş U, Uysal M.
Exp Toxicol Pathol. 2008 Sep;60(6):475-80.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18583118
Choleretic activity and biliary elimination of lipids and bile acids induced by an artichoke leaf extract in rats.
Saénz Rodriguez T, García Giménez D, de la Puerta Vázquez R.
Phytomedicine. 2002 Dec;9(8):687-93.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12587687
Efficacy of different Cynara scolymus preparations on liver complaints.
Speroni E, Cervellati R, Govoni P, Guizzardi S, Renzulli C, Guerra MC.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2003 Jun;86(2-3):203-11.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12738088
Protective properties of artichoke (Cynara scolymus) against oxidative stress induced in cultured endothelial cells and monocytes.
Zapolska-Downar D, Zapolski-Downar A, Naruszewicz M, Siennicka A, Krasnodebska B, Kołdziej B.
Life Sci. 2002 Nov 1;71(24):2897-08.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12377270

10. Chem Biol Interact. 2008 May 28;173(2):77-83.
Efficacy of caffeic acid in preventing nickel induced oxidative damage in liver of rats.
Pari L, Prasath A.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18405891
Liver fibrosis in mice induced by carbon tetrachloride and its reversion by luteolin.
Domitrović R, Jakovac H, Tomac J, Sain I.
Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2009 Dec 15;241(3):311-21.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19747501
Efficacy of artichoke leaf extract in the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia: a six-week placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicentre trial.
Holtmann G, Adam B, Haag S, Collet W, Grünewald E, Windeck T.
Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2003 Dec;18(11-12):1099-105.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14653829
Artichoke leaf extract reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and improves quality of life in otherwise healthy volunteers suffering from concomitant dyspepsia: a subset analysis.
Bundy R, Walker AF, Middleton RW, Marakis G, Booth JC.
J Altern Complement Med. 2004 Aug;10(4):667-9.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15353023
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study to establish the bifidogenic effect of a very-long-chain inulin extracted from globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus) in healthy human subjects.
Costabile A, Kolida S, Klinder A, Gietl E, Bäuerlein M, Frohberg C, Landschütze V, Gibson GR.
Br J Nutr. 2010 Oct;104(7):1007-17.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20591206
Artichoke leaf extract reduces mild dyspepsia in an open study.
Marakis G, Walker AF, Middleton RW, Booth JC, Wright J, Pike DJ.
Phytomedicine. 2002 Dec;9(8):694-9.
Pubmed: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12587688