Theophrastus and the name of Artichoke.

Contents

• Basic Botanical Info of Artichoke.
• Artichoke Plant Description.
• What Is Artichoke?.
• Main Actions and Suggested health benefits of artichoke.
• Artichoke has a long history.
• Chemistry,Pharmacology of Origin Plant.
• What is Artichoke Leaf Extract?.
• How Artichoke acts as a Herbal Remedy?.
• Artichoke Extract Health Benefits:Brief
• Artichoke Extract Health Benefits:1.Effects on the gastrointestinal system.
• Artichoke Extract Health Benefits:2.Artichoke and Lipid Lowering Effects.
• Artichoke Extract Health Benefits:3.High CholesterolDrugs and Side Effects.
• Artichoke Extract Health Benefits:4.Artichoke as a Herbal Medicine.
• Artichoke Extract Health Benefits:5.Cardiovascular health.
• Artichoke Extract Health Benefits:6.Cardiovascular protection.
• Artichoke Extract Health Benefits:7.Hepato-protection.
• Artichoke Extract Health Benefits:8.Dyspepsia.
• Artichoke Extract Health Benefits:9.Liver protection.
• Artichoke Extract Health Benefits:10.Digestion.
• Artichoke Extract Health Benefits:11.Further effects.
• Artichoke Extract Health Benefits:12.Other applications.
• Artichoke plant Research Update.
• Suggestions and Administrations of Artichoke.
• Research Update:Artichoke Leaf.

Artichoke Extract Health Benefits:7.Hepato-protection.:

The concept of hepato-protection basically reflects an appreciation of the liver's critical role in many aspects of metabolism and the importance of improving the liver's function by protecting it from damage. Antioxidants are among the many compounds that can offer significant protection of the liver.

 Artichoke extract has demonstrated a strong antioxidant potential and hepato-protective effect in recent research on animals. It protects the liver and the animal from the damaging effects of toxins, such as carbon tetrachloride and other environmental chemicals in a manner similar to that of silymarin from the milk thistle. Like milk thistle, artichoke extract stimulates the regeneration of damaged liver tissue. The usefulness of artichoke for preventing or reducing build-up of fat in the liver from chronic alcohol consumption is noteworthy.

 The regenerative effect of artichoke leaf extract was studied on rats after removal of part of the liver. (Maros et al., 1966, 1968). Clear signs of regeneration were observed, such as increase in liver tissue and liver cell content of RNA, stimulation of cell division and increase of blood circulation in the liver.

 Studies of hepato-protective action have only been done in animals, as the common procedure involves exposure to toxins. The basic research method for this type of investigation is to give the test substance, in this case artichoke leaf extract, to the animal prior to or simultaneously with administration of a toxic substance and observe the results.


 Such studies were undertaken by Adzet et al. (1987) using artichoke leaf extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced poisoning in rats and indicated a clear reduction of liver injury. Another investigation by Adzet (1987) on isolated rat liver cells (hepatocytes) exposed to the same chemical tested the activity of the different polyphenolic compounds in artichoke extract. Cynarin, which is a caffeoylquinic acid and a major constituent of the extract, was found to be responsible for the main cell-protective action.

 In another study on ethanol treated rats by Samochowiec (1971) a significant reduction (28%) of fatty acid esters was found with cynarin treatment. Cynarin also reduced levels of serum and liver cholesterol in ethanol-intoxicated rats according to a study by Wojiciki (1978).

 More recently Gebhardt (1995) demonstrated hepato-protective effects against carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity on liver cells from rats, and again cynarin was found to be the compound responsible for the cell protective effect. When studying rat liver cells exposed to t-BHP (tertiary butylhydroperoxide), Gebhardt (1997) found that artichoke leaf extract significantly prevented oxidative damage to hepatocyte membranes and that chlorogenic acid and cynarin were the main contributors to this strong antioxidant effect. The findings also suggested that the cell protection should not be limited to the hepatocytes, opening the possibility that inhibition of low-density lipoprotein oxidation and other atherosclerosis-preventing actions may occur.

 These studies all demonstrate a pronounced antioxidant potential by artichoke leaf extract. However, more research is needed here to fully understand the hepatoprotective mechanisms and to reveal the scope of the hepatoprotective effects.

 High Cholesterol

 In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 143 people with high cholesterol, artichoke leaf extract significantly improved cholesterol readings. Total cholesterol fell by 18.5% as compared to 8.6% in the placebo group; LDL cholesterol by 23% vs. 6%; and LDL-to-HDL ratios by 20% vs. 7%.

 An earlier double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 44 healthy people failed to find any improvement in cholesterol levels attributable to artichoke leaf. The researchers note, however, that study participants, on average, started the trial with lower than normal cholesterol levels (due to a statistical accident); improvement, therefore, couldn't be expected!

 Artichoke leaf may work by interfering with cholesterol synthesis. Besides cynarin, a compound in artichoke called luteolin may play a role in reducing cholesterol.

Reference:

• 1.Cladonia species and Cladonia Stellaris Identification,Economic importance and Phytochemicals,a wonderful thing more than fodder for reindeer.

This article written and edited via herbalist of MDidea Extracts Professional. They run a range of online descriptions about this herb,including general information related and summarized updating discoveries from findings of professional scientisits this field related.Describe style aimed to form a useful detecting literature space where the intertwined threshold and related questions raise out and visualize themselves.

♣ last edit date:25th,Oct.2010.