ARTICHOKE LEAVES
Artichoke is a perennial herb native to Mediterranean southern Europe and northern Africa and the Canary Islands. Its cultivation in Europe dates back to ancient Greece and Rome. It is cultivated in North Africa as well as in other subtropical regions. Artichoke comes as whole or cut dried leaves obtained mainly from southern Europe and northern Africa. Artichoke leaf has been used as a choleretic and diuretic in traditional European medicine since Roman times. Traditional medicinal uses of artichoke pertain to liver function. Artichoke leaf is considered choleretic (bile increasing), hepatoprotective, cholesterol-reducing, and a diuretic. In German pediatric medicine, herbs with a relatively low bitter value (800–2000), such as artichoke leaf, are considered suitable for the treatment of appetite disorders (Schilcher, 1997). Pharmacopeial grade artichoke leaf consists of the dried radical leaves of Cynara scolymus L. Botanical identification is carried out by thin-layer chromatography (TLC), macroscopic and microscopic evaluations, and organoleptic tests. The dried leaf must contain not less than 25% water-soluble extractive. Description Artichoke leaf consists of the fresh or dried leaf of C. scolymus L. [Fam. Asteraceae] and its preparations in effective dosage. The preparation contains caffeoylquinic acid derivatives such as cynarin and bitter principles. Chemistry and Pharmacology Artichoke leaf contains up to 2% phenolic acids, mainly 3-caffeoylquinic acid (chlorogenic acid), plus 1,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid (cynarin), and caffeic acid; 0–4% bitter sesquiterpene lactones of which 47–83% is cynaropicrin; 0.1–1.0% flavonoids including the glycosides luteolin-7-b-rutinoside (scolymoside), luteolin-7-b-D-glucoside and luteolin-4-b-D-glucoside; phytosterols (taraxasterol); sugars; inulin; enzymes; and a volatile oil consisting mainly of the sesquiterpenes b-selinene and caryophyllene (Hunsel et al., 1992–1994; Leung and Foster, 1996; Meyer-Buchtela, 1999; Newall et al., 1996). The Commission E reported choleretic activity. The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia reported hepatic action (BHP, 1996). In vivo, artichoke leaf has demonstrated hepatoprotective and hepatostimulating properties (Adzet et al., 1987; Maros et al., 1966). The Merck Index reported the therapeutic category of cynarin, an active principle of artichoke, as choleretic (Budavari, 1996). The African Pharmacopoeia reported diuretic and anti-atherosclerotic actions (Iwu, 1993). Artichoke leaf has shown cholesterol-lowering and lipid-lowering activity in rats and humans (Lietti, 1977). Human studies have validated carminative, spasmolytic, antiemetic, and choleretic actions (Kraft, 1997). Uses The Commission E approved artichoke leaf for dyspeptic problems. The African Pharmacopoeia indicates its use for the treatment of liver dysfunction (Iwu, 1993). Preparations of artichoke have been used for bloating, nausea, and impairment of digestion (Bruneton, 1995). It is specifically indicated for "dyspeptic syndrome" though its proven lipid-lowering actions suggest that it may also be useful as a prophylactic against atherosclerosis (Kraft, 1997).
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