An extract of the best studies on the properties, intake, effects and chemical composition of artichoke.

Proximate Composition, Minerals and Antioxidant Activity of Artichoke Leaf Extracts.
Biel W, Witkowicz R, Piątkowska E, Podsiadło C.
Biol Trace Elem Res. 2019 Jul 8. doi: 10.1007/s12011-019-01806-3.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles via Cynara scolymus leaf extracts: The characterization, anticancer potential with photodynamic therapy in MCF7 cells.
Erdogan O, Abbak M, Demirbolat GM, Birtekocak F, Aksel M, Pasa S, Cevik O.
PLoS One. 2019 Jun 20;14(6):e0216496. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216496.

Antidiabetic, Anticholinesterase and Antioxidant Activity vs. Terpenoids and Phenolic Compounds in Selected New Cultivars and Hybrids of Artichoke Cynara scolymus L.
Turkiewicz IP, Wojdyło A, Tkacz K, Nowicka P, Hernández F.
Molecules. 2019 Mar 28;24(7). pii: E1222. doi: 10.3390/molecules24071222.

Natural Killer Response and Lipo-Metabolic Profile in Adults with Low HDL-Cholesterol and Mild Hypercholesterolemia: Beneficial Effects of Artichoke Leaf Extract Supplementation.
Rondanelli M, Castellazzi AM, Riva A, Allegrini P, Faliva MA, Peroni G, Naso M, Nichetti M, Tagliacarne C, Valsecchi C, Fazia T, Perna S, Graziano F, Grassi M, Bernardinelli L.
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019 Jan 6;2019:2069701. doi: 10.1155/2019/2069701.

In vitro genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of cynarin.
Erikel E, Yuzbasioglu D, Unal F.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2019 Jun 12;237:171-181. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.03.036.

The effect of Cynara scolymus (artichoke) on maternal reproductive outcomes and fetal development in rats.
Gotardo AT, Mattos MIDS, Hueza IM, Górniak SL.
Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2019 Mar;102:74-78. doi: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2019.01.004.

Antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of Jerusalem artichoke tubers and leaves extract on HaCaT and BJ fibroblast cells.
Nizioł-Łukaszewska Z, Furman-Toczek D, Zagórska-Dziok M.
Lipids Health Dis. 2018 Dec 11;17(1):280. doi: 10.1186/s12944-018-0929-8

Artichoke Polyphenols Produce Skin Anti-Age Effects by Improving Endothelial Cell Integrity and Functionality.
D'Antuono I, Carola A, Sena LM, Linsalata V, Cardinali A, Logrieco AF, Colucci MG, Apone F.
Molecules. 2018 Oct 23;23(11). pii: E2729. doi: 10.3390/molecules23112729.

The antioxidant activity of artichoke (Cynara scolymus): A systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies.
Salekzamani S, Ebrahimi-Mameghani M, Rezazadeh K.
Phytother Res. 2019 Jan;33(1):55-71. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6213.

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):