Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) \- Restorative Medicine

Fuente: https://restorativemedicine.org/library/monographs/artichoke/

Evidencias encontradas en esta fuente

Cynara also contains a relatively high content of inulin (10%–30% based on dry weight), a fructoligosaccharide (FOS) with recognized prebiotic properties,3 known to have beneficial effects on various metabolic functions and to promote beneficial intestinal bacteria and the absorption of minerals.4 There is growing interest in the use of FOS as medicinal foods to help treat diabetes and other metabolic disorders, as inulin may help control metabolic disorders and its complications via improving glycemic and lipid parameters while modulating levels of insulin and glucagon, thereby regulating carbohydrate and lipid metabolism by lowering blood glucose levels.5
A pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial studied the effects of artichoke in participants with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In the study, 100 participants with ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD were randomized to either artichoke leaf extract (600 mg daily) or placebo. After 2 months, those in the artichoke leaf extract group showed significantly improved ultrasound liver parameters, as well as significant improvement in liver serum parameters (ALT, AST, AST to platelet ratio index ratio, and total bilirubin).15A
An RCT dosed obese women with either inulin/FOS or placebo and reported that treatment with prebiotics led to an increase in Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and a decrease in pathogenic Bacteroides intestinalis, Bacteroides vulgatus, and Propionibacterium in the feces. This trial findings suggested that selective changes in the gut microbiota of obese women led to modest changes in host metabolism, as suggested by the correlation between some bacterial species and metabolic endotoxemia or metabolomic signatures.
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluated the effects of C. scolymus leaf extract versus placebo in overweight, hyperlipidemic subjects. Its use was associated with a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein and a decrease in cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein.
A pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial studied the effects of artichoke in participants with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In the study, 100 participants with ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD were randomized to either artichoke leaf extract (600 mg daily) or placebo. After 2 months, those in the artichoke leaf extract group showed significantly improved ultrasound liver parameters, as well as significant improvement in liver serum parameters (ALT, AST, AST to platelet ratio index ratio, and total bilirubin).
The traditional use of *Cynara* leaf extract in gastroenterology is mainly based upon its strong antidyspeptic actions that are mediated by its choleretic (increased bile production) activity. Because bile plays an important role in lipid and cholesterol processing, choleretic agents are often seen in traditional formulas for elevated lipids and poor fat digestion.
Because bile plays an important role in lipid and cholesterol processing, choleretic agents are often seen in traditional formulas for elevated lipids and poor fat digestion.