Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) is a species of thistle, an annual plant grown almost all over the world and belongs to the family of Asteraceae.

Its predominant use is culinary, but it is widely used in the medical field.

In fact, phytonutrients are extracted from its leaves and roots:

• stimulate bile flow from the liver (1)
• reduce heartburn
• counter-cholesterol harmful LDL (2)
• counteract colon irritability
• reduce bladder infections
• reduce nausea

Its polyphenol content, exerts an antioxidant activity (3) and also chlorogenic acid, luteolin, apigenine, cinary, coffee acid derivatives, flavonoids (4) and polyphenols help improve the integrity and functionality of endothelial cells.

Artichoke studies

References______________________________________________________________________

(1) Prevention of taurolithocholate-induced hepatic bile canalicular distortions by HPLC-characterized extracts of artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaves.
Gebhardt R. Planta Med. 2002 Sep;68(9):776-9.

(2) Beneficial effects of artichoke leaf extract supplementation on increasing HDL-cholesterol in subjects with primary mild hypercholesterolaemia: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Rondanelli M, Giacosa A, Opizzi A, Faliva MA, Sala P, Perna S, Riva A, Morazzoni P, Bombardelli E.
Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2013 Feb;64(1):7-15. doi: 10.3109/09637486.2012.700920. 

(3) 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.

(4) Protective Effects of Ethanolic Extracts from Artichoke, an Edible Herbal Medicine, against Acute Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury in Mice.  Tang X, Wei R, Deng A, Lei T  Nutrients. 2017 Sep 11; 9(9):