Artichoke leaf extract is widely used alone or in association with other herbs for embittering alcoholic and soft drinks and to prepare herbal teas or herbal medicinal products. Some of the research with artichoke extract is listed below. It appears that this supplement has many health benefits.

Buy Artichoke Extract, 90 Capsules
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Artichoke Extract Supplement Facts:
Serving Size 2 capsules
Servings per container 45

Amount per 2 capsules
Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) Leaf Extract 320 mg**
   Standardized to contain 13% - 18% caffeylquinic acids calculated as chlorogenic acid

Recommendations: One or two artichoke capsules 1 to 3 times daily.

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Clinical uses of Artichoke leaf extract
Artichoke leaf extract has been tested in heartburn, also known as dyspepsia. It has also been tested in irritable bowel syndrome and high cholesterol.

Artichoke for cholesterol
In a study of 140 people with high blood cholesterol levels, supplementing with a daily artichoke extract of 450mg was found to lower the cholesterol level by 18 per cent. Artichoke contains luteolin and other beneficial flavonoids and compounds.

Artichoke plant Research Update
Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of caffeoylquinic acids and flavonoids after oral administration of Artichoke leaf extracts in humans.
Phytomedicine. 2005 Jan;12(1-2):28-38.
Extracts from artichoke leaves are traditionally used in the treatment of dyspeptic and hepatic disorders. Various potential pharmacodynamic effects have been observed in vitro for mono- and dicaffeoylquinic acids (e.g. chlorogenic acid, cynarin), caffeic acid and flavonoids (e.g. luteolin-7-O-glucoside) which are the main phenolic constituents of artichoke leaf extract. However, in vivo not only the genuine extract constituents but also their metabolites may contribute to efficacy. Therefore, the evaluation of systemic availability of potential bioactive plant constituents is a major prerequisite for the interpretation of in vitro pharmacological testing. In order to get more detailed information about absorption, metabolism and disposition of artichoke leaf extract, two different extracts were administered to 14 healthy volunteers in a crossover study. Each subject received doses of both extracts. Artichoke leaf extract A administered dose: caffeoylquinic acids equivalent to 107.0 mg caffeic acid and luteolin glycosides equivalent to 14.4 mg luteolin. Artichoke leaf extract B administered dose: caffeoylquinic acids equivalent to 153.8 mg caffeic acid and luteolin glycosides equivalent to 35.2 mg luteolin. Urine and plasma analysis were performed by a validated HPLC method using 12-channel coulometric array detection. In human plasma or urine none of the genuine target extract constituents could be detected. However, caffeic acid (CA), its methylated derivates ferulic acid (FA) and isoferulic acid (IFA) and the hydrogenation products dihydrocaffeic acid (DHCA) and dihydroferulic acid (DHFA) were identified as metabolites derived from caffeoylquinic acids. Except of DHFA all of these compounds were present as sulfates or glucuronides. Peak plasma concentrations of total CA, FA and IFA were reached within 1 h and declined over 24 h showing almost biphasic profiles. In contrast maximum concentrations for total DHCA and DHFA were observed only after 6-7 h, indicating two different metabolic pathways for caffeoylquinic acids. Luteolin administered as glucoside was recovered from plasma and urine only as sulfate or glucuronide but neither in form of genuine glucosides nor as free luteolin. Peak plasma concentrations were reached rapidly within 0.5 h. The elimination showed a biphasic profile.

Antifungal activity of Cynara scolymus L. extracts.
Fitoterapia. 2005 Jan;76(1):108-11.
Chloroform, ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of artichoke leaves, heads and stems were tested for their antifungal activity using the agar-well diffusion assay technique. The artichoke leaves extracts and the ethanol fractions were found to be the most effective extract against all the tested organisms.

Anaphylactic Reaction to Inulin: First Identification of Specific IgEs to an Inulin Protein Compound.
Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2005 Jan 12;136(2):155-158
Background: A woman with a past history of allergy to artichoke presented with two episodes of immediate allergic reactions, one of which was a severe anaphylactic shock after eating two types of health foods containing inulin. Results: Dot blot assay techniques identified specific IgEs to artichoke, to yoghurt F, and to a heated BSA + inulin product. Dot blot inhibition techniques confirmed the anti-inulin specificity of specific IgE. Conclusions: The absence of a positive reaction to an unheated milk-inulin mixture indicates the probability of protein-inulin binding. There is no cross-reactivity with the carbohydrates of the glycosylated allergens.

Artichoke juice improves endothelial function in hyperlipemia.
Life Sci. 2004 Dec 31;76(7):775-82.
Artichoke extracts have been shown to produce various pharmacological effects, such as the inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis and of LDL oxidation. Endothelial dysfunction represents the first stage of atherosclerotic disease. Aim of the study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with artichoke juice on brachial FMV of hyperlipemics. We studied 18 moderately hyperlipemic patients (LDL cholesterol > 130 <200 mg/dl and/or triglycerides >150 <250 mg/dl) of both genders and 10 hyperlipemic patients, matched for age, sex and lipid parameters. In conclusion, artichoke dietary supplementation seems to positively modulate endothelial function in hypercholesterolemia.

Phenolic compounds from the leaf extract of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) and their antimicrobial activities.
J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Dec 1;52(24):7272-8.
A preliminary antimicrobial disk assay of chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol extracts of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) leaf extracts showed that the n-butanol fraction exhibited the most significant antimicrobial activities against seven bacteria species, four yeasts, and four molds. Eight phenolic compounds were isolated from the n-butanol soluble fraction of artichoke leaf extracts. The isolated compounds were examined for their antimicrobial activities on the above microorganisms, indicating that all eight phenolic compounds showed activity against most of the tested organisms. Among them, chlorogenic acid, cynarin, luteolin-7-rutinoside, and cynaroside exhibited a relatively higher activity than other compounds; in addition, they were more effective against fungi than bacteria.

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.
J Altern Complement Med. 2004 Aug;10(4):667-9.
Does artichoke leaf extract ameliorate symptoms of Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in otherwise healthy volunteers suffering concomitant dyspepsia? A subset analysis of a previous dose-ranging, open, postal study, in adults suffering dyspepsia. Two hundred and eight (208) adults were identified post hoc as suffering with IBS. IBS incidence, self-reported usual bowel pattern, and the Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI) were compared before and after a 2-month intervention period. There was a significant fall in IBS incidence of 26.4% after treatment. A significant shift in self-reported usual bowel pattern away from "alternating constipation/diarrhea" toward "normal" was observed. NDI total symptom score significantly decreased by 41% after treatment. Similarly, there was a significant 20% improvement in the NDI total quality-of-life (QOL) score in the subset after treatment. This report supports previous findings that Artichoke leaf extract ameliorates symptoms of IBS, plus improves health-related QOL.

Flavonoids from artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) up-regulate endothelial-type nitric-oxide synthase gene expression in human endothelial cells.
J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2004 Sep;310(3):926-32.
Nitric oxide (NO) produced by endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) represents an antithrombotic and anti-atherosclerotic principle in the vasculature. Hence, an enhanced expression of eNOS in response to pharmacological interventions could provide protection against cardiovascular diseases. In EA.hy 926 cells, a cell line derived from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), an artichoke leaf extract increased the activity of the human eNOS promoter (determined by luciferase reporter gene assay). An organic subfraction from artichoke leaf extract was more potent in this respect than the crude extract, whereas an aqueous subfraction of artichoke leaf extract was without effect. Thus, in addition to the lipid-lowering and antioxidant properties of artichoke, an increase in eNOS gene transcription may also contribute to its beneficial cardiovascular profile. Artichoke flavonoids are likely to represent the active ingredients mediating eNOS up-regulation.

Effectiveness of artichoke extract in preventing alcohol-induced hangovers: a randomized controlled trial.
CMAJ. 2003 Dec 9;169(12):1269-73.
Extract of globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus) is promoted as a possible preventive or cure for alcohol-induced hangover symptoms. However, few rigorous clinical trials have assessed the effects of artichoke extract, and none has examined the effects in relation to hangovers. We undertook this study to test whether artichoke extract is effective in preventing the signs and symptoms of alcohol-induced hangover. Our results suggest that artichoke extract is not effective in preventing the signs and symptoms of alcohol-induced hangover.

Efficacy of artichoke leaf extract in the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia: a six-week placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicentre trial.
Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2003 Dec;18(11-12):1099-105.
This study aimed to assess the efficacy of artichoke leaf extract in the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). In a double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT), 247 patients with functional dyspepsia were recruited and treated with either a commercial artichoke leaf extract preparation (2 x 320 mg plant extract t.d.s.) or a placebo. The primary efficacy variable was the sum score of the patient's weekly rating of the overall change in dyspeptic symptoms (four-point scale). Secondary variables were the scores of each dyspeptic symptom and the quality of life (QOL) as assessed by the Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI). Two hundred and forty-seven patients were enrolled, and data from 244 patients (129 active treatment, 115 placebo) were suitable for inclusion in the statistical analysis (intention-to-treat). The overall symptom improvement over the 6 weeks of treatment was significantly greater with artichoke leaf extract than with the placebo. Similarly, patients treated with artichoke leaf extract showed significantly greater improvement in the global quality-of-life scores (NDI) compared with the placebo-treated patients. The artichoke leaf extract preparation tested was significantly better than the placebo in alleviating symptoms and improving the disease-specific quality of life in patients with functional dyspepsia.

Screening pharmaceutical preparations containing extracts of turmeric rhizome, artichoke leaf, devil's claw root and garlic or salmon oil for antioxidant capacity.
J Pharm Pharmacol. 2003 Jul;55(7):981-6.
Pharmaceutical preparations derived from natural sources such as vegetables often contain compounds that contribute to the antioxidant defence system and apparently play a role in the protection against degenerative diseases. In the present study, commercial preparations containing extracts of turmeric, artichoke, devil's claw and garlic or salmon oil were investigated. All fractions of the turmeric extract preparation exhibited pronounced antioxidant activity, which was assigned to the presence of curcumin and other polyphenols. The antioxidant activity corresponding to the artichoke leaf extract was higher in the aqueous fractions than in the lipophilic fractions. Similarly, devil's claw extract was particularly rich in water-soluble antioxidants. Harpagoside, a major compound in devil's claw, did not contribute significantly to its antioxidant activity. The antioxidant capacity of the garlic preparation was poor in the TEAC assay. That of salmon oil was mainly attributed to vitamin E, which is added to the product for stabilization. In all test preparations, the antioxidant activity was significantly correlated with the content of total phenolic compounds.

Artichoke leaf extract reduces mild dyspepsia in an open study.
Phytomedicine. 2002 Dec;9(8):694-9.
A recent post-marketing study indicated that high doses of standardised artichoke leaf extract may reduce symptoms of dyspepsia. To substantial these findings, this study investigated the efficacy of a low-dose artichoke leaf extract on amelioration of dyspeptic symptoms and improvement of quality of life. The study was an open, dose-ranging postal study. Healthy patients with self-reported dyspepsia were recruited through the media. The Nepean Dyspepsia Index and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were completed at baseline and after 2 months of treatment with artichoke leaf extract, which was randomly allocated to volunteers as 320 or 640 mg daily. Of the 516 participants, 454 completed the study. In both dosage groups, compared with baseline, there was a significant reduction of all dyspeptic symptoms, with an average reduction of 40% in global dyspepsia score. However, there were no differences in the primary outcome measures between the two groups, although relief of state anxiety, a secondary outcome, was greater with the higher dosage. Health-related quality of life was significantly improved in both groups compared with baseline. We conclude that artichoke leaf extract shows promise to ameliorate upper gastro-intestinal symptoms and improve quality of life in otherwise healthy subjects suffering from dyspepsia.

Choleretic activity and biliary elimination of lipids and bile acids induced by an artichoke leaf extract in rats.
Phytomedicine. 2002 Dec;9(8):687-93.
The therapeutic properties of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) preparations have been known since ancient times. The traditional use of artichoke leaf extract in gastroenterology is mainly based upon its strong antidyspeptic actions which are mediated by its choleretic activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of artichoke leaf extract on bile flow and the formation of bile compounds in anaesthetised Wistar rats after acute and repeated (twice a day for 7 consecutive days) oral administration. A significant increase in bile flow was observed after acute treatment with artichoke leaf extract as well as after repeated administration. The choleretic effects of artichoke leaf extract were similar to those of the reference compound dehydrocholic acid (DHCA). Total bile acids, cholesterol and phospholipid were determined by enzymatic assays. There was a strong artichoke leaf extract -induced increase in total bile acid concentration over the entire experiment. With the highest dose (400 mg/kg), a significant increase was obtained after single and repeated administration. The bile acids-increased effects of artichoke leaf extract were much more pronounced than those of reference (DHCA). No significant differences in cholesterol and phospholipid content could be found.

Artichoke leaf extract for treating hypercholesterolaemia.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2002;(3):CD003335.
High cholesterol levels are associated with an increased risk for coronary heart disease and other sequelae of atherosclerosis. Artichoke leaf extract (Artichoke leaf extract), which is available as an over-the-counter remedy, has been implicated in lowering cholesterol levels. Whether Artichoke leaf extract is truly efficacious for this indication, however, is still a matter of debate. To assess the evidence of Artichoke leaf extract versus placebo or reference medication for treating hypercholesterolaemia defined as mean total cholesterol levels of at least 5.17 mmol/L (200 mg /dL). Few data from rigorous clinical trials assessing Artichoke leaf extract for treating hypercholesterolaemia exist. Beneficial effects are reported, the evidence however is not compelling. The limited data on safety suggest only mild, transient and infrequent adverse events with the short term use of Artichoke leaf extract. More rigorous clinical trials assessing larger patient samples over longer intervention periods are needed to establish whether Artichoke leaf extract is an effective and safe treatment option for patients with hypercholesterolaemia.

Artichoke leaf extract reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in a post-marketing surveillance study.
Phytother Res. 2001 Feb;15(1):58-61.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a problem reported to affect 22% of the general population. It is characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habit, but has so far defied elucidation of its pathogenesis and proved difficult to treat. There is a growing body of evidence which indicates therapeutic properties for artichoke leaf extract. Dyspepsia is the condition for which the herb is specifically indicated, but the symptom overlap between dyspeptic syndrome and IBS has given rise to the notion that artichoke leaf extract may have potential for treating IBS as well. A sub-group of patients with IBS symptoms was therefore identified from a sample of individuals with dyspeptic syndrome who were being monitored in a post-marketing surveillance study of artichoke leaf extract for 6 weeks. Analysis of the data from the IBS sub-group revealed significant reductions in the severity of symptoms and favourable evaluations of overall effectiveness by both physicians and patients. Furthermore, 96% of patients rated artichoke leaf extract as better than or at least equal to previous therapies administered for their symptoms, and the tolerability of artichoke leaf extract was very good. These results provide support for the notion that artichoke leaf extract has potential value in relieving IBS symptoms and suggest that a controlled trial is justified.

Efficacy of Artichoke dry extract in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia.
Arzneimittelforschung. 2000 Mar;50(3):260-5.
Efficacy and tolerability of artichoke dry extract (drug/extract ratio 25-35:1, aquous extract, CY450) as coated tablets containing 450 mg extract (tradename: Valverde Artischocke bei Verdauungsbeschwerden) was investigated in the treatment of hyperlipoproteinemia and compared with placebo. 143 adult patients with initial total cholesterol of > 7.3 mmol/l (> 280 mg/dl) were included in a double blind, randomized, placebo controlled, multi-center clinical trial. Patients received 1,800 mg artichoke dry extract per day or placebo over 6 weeks. Changes of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol from baseline to the end of treatment showed a statistically significant superiority of artichoke dry extract over placebo. There were no drug related adverse events during this study indicating an excellent tolerability of artichoke dry extract. This prospective study could contribute clear evidence to recommend artichoke dry extract CY450 for treating hyperlipoproteinemia and, thus, prevention of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

Artichoke extract availability by herbal suppliers
Artichoke extract is available in a number of concentrations and extract potencies. Herbal Powers Ingredients has artichoke extract as 5 percent cyananine.

Artichoke extract questions
Q. Can an artichoke extract supplement be taken the same day as CoQ10 and alpha lipoic acid?
   A. I just don't see why not, but I have not come across any studies to know for sure.

Q. I need to know if there are any adverse interactions or side effects of artichoke extract and chlorella with my prescription drugs. They are 25mg Elavil, 50mg sertraline, and 10mg chlordiazepoxide.
   A. There are thousands of prescription medications on the market and thousands of herbal supplements. Not enough testing has been done to determine what kind of interactions occur when these are combined. Artichoke extract is generally safe, but since no studies are available regarding the interactions, we have to refer you to your doctor's best judgment.