Cilarin

Cilarin (Artichoke Leaf Extract, Cynara scolymus L.)

Notice on Nomenclature and Sourcing

The trade or common name cilarin appears in the supplement literature as a synonym or commercial designation for artichoke leaf powder or extract derived from Cynara scolymus L. Artichoke Leaf Powder is identified under the name "Cilarin" in at least one ingredient reference source for dietary supplements. All factual content in this article is drawn from peer-reviewed research, government health bodies, and rigorously referenced evidence sources pertaining to artichoke leaf extract (Cynara scolymus). No claims are made beyond what those primary sources support.

1. Identity

Botanical and Chemical Names

Artichoke is a plant, Cynara scolymus, native to the Mediterranean region. The artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) belongs to the same botanical family as the milk thistle, daisy, and sunflower. It is a member of the order Asterales, family Asteraceae (also called Compositae). A closely related taxon, Cynara cardunculus, is sometimes used interchangeably in extract preparations; young leaves of the selected artichoke cultivar, preferably Cynara scolymus or Cynara cardunculus, preferably Cynara scolymus, are used to prepare standardized extracts.

The primary standardization markers and chemically identified active constituents include cynarin (1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid), chlorogenic acid, luteolin, and cynaropicrin. The key active constituents of artichoke leaf extract are caffeoylquinic acids (including cynarin and chlorogenic acid), flavonoids (including luteolin and derivatives such as glucosides), and bitters (sesquiterpene lactones, including cynaropicrin).

Natural Source and Morphology

Artichoke, or Cynara scolymus, is a native plant to southern Europe, northern Africa, and the Canary Islands. It can grow as high as two metres and produces large purple flowers in late autumn. The young unopened flower heads are often cooked, while the fleshy bracts together with the receptacle or "heart" are much prized as a nutritional delicacy. The medicinal and supplement use of the plant is derived specifically from the leaves rather than the flower heads.

Common Forms and Preparations

Artichoke extract made from the leaf, stem, and root is used for medicinal purposes to treat indigestion, lower cholesterol, and to protect the liver. Artichoke leaf extract is available over the counter (OTC) as an herbal supplement in the U.S. Artichoke leaf extracts (ALEs) are currently used in Germany and Switzerland as a remedy for indigestion and are available in the UK as over-the-counter food supplements.

Commercial artichoke leaf extract (ALE) is prepared from dried leaves of Cynara scolymus by aqueous or hydroalcoholic extraction, concentration, removal of solvent, and standardization to cynarin or total caffeoylquinic acids; commercial products vary by solvent and marker specification. Preparations are available as standardized dried extracts in capsule or tablet form, liquid (tincture) preparations, and as artichoke juice concentrate.

2. Traditional and Historical Use

Artichoke has been used in Mediterranean food and medicine for more than 2,000 years as a digestive and hepatic remedy. Classical era culinary and medicinal uses are documented in Greek and Roman herbals. The health benefits of artichoke were first documented by pupils of Aristotle in around the 4th century BC. Since ancient times, the artichoke has been used for liver and gallbladder conditions, described as "cleaning the blood as well as the bladder."

Culturally, its appreciation stems from noble roots — cultivated in Florence in the 1400s, it was taken to France by Catherine de Médici. From there the French and Italians, along with the Spanish, established it as a staple of cuisine and culture. In the 1800s, European immigrants brought artichokes to the United States.

Nineteenth- and twentieth-century European herbal compendia codified leaf use for dyspepsia and biliary complaints. During the 1970s through 1990s, pharmacologic and early clinical studies focused on choleresis and lipid effects.

Cynara scolymus L., popularly known as artichoke, has been widely used in traditional medicine as an herbal medicament for therapeutic purposes. Traditional preparations included leaf decoctions and infusions consumed before meals to stimulate digestion, and leaf juice taken for liver and gallbladder complaints. Artichoke leaf extract has been used for different purposes, including alcohol-induced hangovers, chronic albuminuria, hyperlipidemia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), jaundice, liver dysfunction, and even snake bites.

In contemporary European regulatory practice, registered herbal medicines containing artichoke are used for the relief of digestive complaints, such as indigestion, upset stomach, nausea, feelings of fullness, and flatulence (wind), particularly caused by over-indulgence in food and drink, based on traditional use only.

3. Key Constituents and Active Compounds

Caffeoylquinic Acids

The most pharmacologically investigated class of compounds in artichoke leaf is the caffeoylquinic acids. These include cynarin (1,3-dicaffeoylquinic acid) and chlorogenic acid. Cynarin is widely used as a standardization marker for commercial ALE preparations. The identity of cynarin and chlorogenic acid can be confirmed by co-chromatography with authentic samples in thin-layer chromatography. Flavonoids and caffeoylquinic acids are mainly responsible for the observed pharmacological actions.

Flavonoids

Artichoke leaves have been used in traditional medicine as a beneficial source of bioactive components such as hydroxycinnamic acids, cynarine, chlorogenic acid, and flavonoids (luteolin and apigenin). Luteolin (as free aglycone and glucosides) is particularly notable for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and potential lipid-modulating properties. The beneficial effects of artichoke may be from the compounds it contains, including cynarin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and flavonoids. These compounds have antioxidant properties and neutralize free radicals (reactive oxygen species) that can damage tissue.

Sesquiterpene Lactones

Bitters, specifically sesquiterpene lactones including cynaropicrin, are key constituents of artichoke leaf extract. Cynaropicrin is thought to contribute to the bitter taste and may have activity at the hepatic level. It has been found that the cynaropicrin present in artichoke extract also acts at the hepatic level on the enzymes that regulate HDL biosynthesis.

Mechanisms of Action

Artichoke extract may improve secretion and flow of bile fluid, improving digestion; reduce synthesis of cholesterol; and protect the liver from fat accumulation. These three principal mechanisms — choleretic, hypolipidemic, and hepatoprotective — correspond to the main areas of clinical investigation.

On cholesterol synthesis, in vitro studies using cultured rat hepatocytes demonstrated that artichoke extracts inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis. Pharmacological and pre-clinical research indicates that ALE possesses, among others, hypocholesterolemic and antioxidant properties.

On vascular tone, studies carried out ex vivo have demonstrated that artichoke extracts and several of their bioactive compounds display vasorelaxant effects. Currently, these effects seem to be attributed to the potentiation of the endothelial release of nitric oxide (NO) and to the direct relaxation of the vascular smooth muscle.

On antioxidant action, the extract from the leaves of Cynara scolymus L. available as an artichoke preparation serves as a potential hepatoprotective factor through its antioxidant properties. At lower concentrations, artichoke extracts prevent chemically induced genomic damage in mammalian cells; this protective activity could be associated with the constitutive antioxidant compounds present in C. scolymus L.

4. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use

4.1 Functional Dyspepsia and Digestive Symptoms

Functional dyspepsia is the area where ALE has the strongest and most consistent clinical evidence. Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaf extract is one of the few herbal remedies for which clinical and experimental trials have complemented each other. Both experimental and clinical effects have been verified through extensive biomedical herbal remedy research. Specifically, antioxidant, choleretic, hepatoprotective, bile-enhancing, and lipid-lowering effects have been demonstrated, which correspond with its historical use.

The results of several clinical investigations showed the efficacy and safety of artichoke extracts (Cynara scolymus L.) in the treatment of hepato-biliary dysfunction and digestive complaints, such as sensation of fullness, loss of appetite, nausea, and abdominal pain. Moreover, earlier findings on a lipid-lowering and hepatoprotective effect may be confirmed. In vitro and in vivo it has been possible to evaluate the underlying pharmacological mechanisms.

Taking artichoke extract by mouth can reduce symptoms of indigestion, including nausea, vomiting, gas, and stomach pain. One placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicentre trial investigated the efficacy of artichoke leaf extract in patients with functional dyspepsia over six weeks. A study conducted on patients with functional dyspepsia reported that the administration of two capsules from a commercially available preparation (containing 320 mg of artichoke leaf extract) was able to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life in patients with functional dyspepsia.

Evidence strength: Moderate. Multiple controlled trials support efficacy for functional dyspepsia symptoms. The evidence is stronger for symptom relief than for mechanistic endpoints, and most trials use specific standardized proprietary preparations, limiting generalizability across all ALE products.

4.2 Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

In one study, a specific artichoke leaf extract (Hepar-SL forte, Serturner Arzneimittel GmbH) reduced abdominal pain and cramping, bloating, gas, and constipation associated with IBS after 6 weeks of treatment. In another study, a different specific artichoke leaf extract (Cynara SL, Lichtwer Pharma) reduced the occurrence of IBS symptoms in patients with heartburn by about 26%. People taking this extract also reported improvement in their quality of life after 2 months of treatment.

A larger observational study at the University of Reading in the UK involving participants who experienced both IBS and dyspepsia found that the results demonstrated a 26% reduction in the incidence of IBS among participants by the conclusion of the two-month trial. There was also a meaningful, self-reported improvement of bowel patterns. Additionally, dyspepsia symptoms decreased by 41% after treatment.

Artichoke is described as an effective gentle bitter digestive remedy that can relieve many symptoms of upset digestion, notably nausea and vomiting (especially associated with rich, fatty food and alcohol consumption), constipation, flatulence, bloating, and other symptoms of IBS.

Evidence strength: Preliminary to moderate. Existing studies on IBS are mostly open-label or subset analyses and involve specific proprietary extracts. Controlled trials specifically designed for IBS as a primary endpoint are limited.

4.3 Lipid Levels and Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Artichoke leaf extracts (ALEs) have been reported to reduce plasma lipid levels, including total cholesterol, although high-quality data is lacking. The objective of one RCT was to assess the effect of ALE on plasma lipid levels and general well-being in otherwise healthy adults with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia. In that trial, 131 adults were screened for total plasma cholesterol in the range 6.0–8.0 mmol/L, with 75 suitable volunteers randomized onto the trial. Volunteers consumed 1,280 mg of a standardized ALE, or matched placebo, daily for 12 weeks. The results showed a modest but favourable statistically significant difference in total plasma cholesterol between groups after treatment with ALE, although no differences in any of the other lipid parameters measured were found.

A systematic review and meta-analysis across 14 randomized controlled trials in participants with dyslipidaemia or related cardiovascular disease risk factors found that artichoke extract supplementation significantly reduced triglycerides (WMD −17.01 mg/dL), total cholesterol (WMD −17.01 mg/dL), and LDL-C (WMD −17.48 mg/dL), with no significant effect on HDL-C.

Regarding blood pressure, supplementation with artichoke extract (tablet of dry extract; 50 mg and 100 mg of artichoke juice concentrate) for 8–12 weeks has shown significant improvements in diastolic blood pressure. Additionally, dietary supplementation with artichoke appears to positively modulate endothelial function in hypercholesterolemia.

Evidence strength: Moderate (lipid-lowering for total cholesterol and LDL); preliminary for blood pressure effects. Effect sizes on cholesterol are modest in absolute terms. Heterogeneity across trials in terms of extract specification, dose, and population limits definitive conclusions.

4.4 Hepatoprotective Effects and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)

Most significant among artichoke's biological effects appears to be its beneficial effect on the liver. In animal studies, liquid extracts of the roots and leaves of artichoke have demonstrated an ability to protect the liver, with possibly even an ability to help liver cells regenerate.

A randomized double-blind clinical trial enrolled patients with NASH: 60 consecutive patients suffering from NASH were randomly assigned to receive Cynara scolymus extract (as 6 tablets per day consisting of 2,700 mg extract of the herb) as the intervention group or placebo as the control group for two months. Comparing changes in study markers following interventions showed improvement in liver enzymes. The levels of triglycerides and cholesterol were significantly reduced in the group treated with Cynara scolymus when compared to the placebo group. This study sheds light on the potential hepatoprotective activity and hypolipidemic effect of Cynara scolymus in management of NASH.

Pre-clinical and animal evidence further supports hepatoprotection: the preparation of Cynara scolymus, due to its high antioxidative potential, has liver protective and regenerative properties, confirmed by biochemical analysis of ALT, AST, GSH, GST, SOD, and TBARS in rat plasma. The artichoke extract also exhibited liver regenerative properties, as indicated by lower levels of liver enzymes and SOD activity in animals with damaged livers exposed to toxic effects of CCl4 and then treated with the extract.

Evidence strength: Preliminary to moderate for human liver disease (NASH trial had modest sample size of 60 participants). Animal and in vitro hepatoprotective evidence is substantial; human RCT evidence requires replication in larger trials.

4.5 Antioxidant and Genomic Protection

In vitro studies have investigated ALE's potential to protect against oxidative stress and chemically induced DNA damage. One study aimed at assessing the protective activity of Cynara scolymus leaf extract against DNA lesions induced by the alkylating agent ethylmethanesulphonate (EMS) in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO), using the cytokinesis block micronucleus (CBMN) cytome assay in three antigenotoxic protocols. Results were concentration-dependent: at lower concentrations, artichoke leaf extract reduced the frequencies of micronuclei and nuclear buds induced by EMS. In contrast, at the highest concentration (5 mg/mL), artichoke enhanced the frequency of micronuclei, potentiating EMS genotoxicity.

A mouse model study examined neuroprotective effects: artichoke leaves have been used in traditional medicine as a beneficial source of bioactive components such as hydroxycinnamic acids, cynarine, chlorogenic acid, and flavonoids (luteolin and apigenin). One study investigated the favorable effects of artichoke (Cynara scolymus) methanolic leaf extract supplementation in ameliorating diethylnitrosamine-induced deleterious effects in mouse brains. High-dose artichoke treatment alleviated the deleterious brain effects of DEN, as manifested by improved locomotor activity.

Evidence strength: Preclinical only (in vitro cell culture and animal models). No controlled human studies exist for antioxidant or neuroprotective endpoints specifically for ALE. The concentration-dependent biphasic genotoxicity data from in vitro work warrants caution about extrapolation.

4.6 Blood Glucose Regulation

Artichoke might lower blood sugar levels. Taking artichoke along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Animal studies have provided evidence of a glycemia-lowering effect; this area is documented in preclinical literature. Human clinical evidence for glycemic outcomes is limited and has not been sufficiently replicated in well-designed RCTs.

Evidence strength: Weak/preliminary for humans. Primarily animal and in vitro data at present.

5. Body Systems and Health Areas

• Gastrointestinal system: Functional dyspepsia, IBS, bloating, flatulence, nausea, promotion of bile flow and digestive secretions.
• Hepatobiliary system: Hepatoprotection, liver enzyme normalization, choleretic (bile-stimulating) action, potential liver regenerative activity.
• Cardiovascular system: Lipid modulation (total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides), endothelial function, blood pressure.
• Metabolic system: Glycemic regulation (primarily preclinical); lipid metabolism.
• Antioxidant/cellular protection: Free radical scavenging, potential genomic protection (in vitro; concentration-dependent).

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaf extract is one of the few herbal remedies for which clinical and experimental trials have complemented each other. Both experimental and clinical effects have been verified through extensive biomedical herbal remedy research. Specifically, antioxidant, choleretic, hepatoprotective, bile-enhancing, and lipid-lowering effects have been demonstrated, which corresponded with its historical use.

6. Dosage Forms and Dosages Reported in Studies

The following dosages are reported in peer-reviewed clinical studies and are stated as they appear in those sources; they do not represent recommendations.

• 1,280 mg of a standardized broad-spectrum aqueous extract of artichoke leaf (4–6:1) administered daily for 12 weeks — used in a cholesterol-lowering RCT in otherwise healthy hypercholesterolemic adults.
• 6 tablets per day consisting of 2,700 mg extract of the herb (Cynara scolymus) for two months — used in an RCT for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).
• In clinical trials, dosages of 600 mg/day and 2,700 mg/day of artichoke leaf extract (in divided doses) for 2 months have been studied in patients with liver diseases.
• Two capsules of a commercially available preparation containing 320 mg of artichoke leaf extract — used in a study on functional dyspepsia.
• Supplementation with tablet of dry extract of C. scolymus; 50 mg and 100 mg of artichoke juice concentrate for 8–12 weeks — studied for effects on diastolic blood pressure.
• ALE preparations typically standardize to cynarin or total caffeoylquinic acids and are dosed between 300–1,200 mg/day in clinical trials.

Commercial products vary by solvent and marker specification, which means equivalence across different commercial preparations cannot be assumed. One hepatoprotective study evaluated the impact of artichoke preparation on the liver in three extract doses: 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g/kg body weight per day — these were animal study doses and are not directly translatable to human use.

7. Safety Considerations and Interactions

General Safety Profile

Artichoke is commonly consumed in food. It is possibly safe when taken as a medicine for up to 12 weeks. Artichoke can cause side effects such as gas, upset stomach, and diarrhea. Artichoke heads are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) when used as food. Mild, transient, and infrequent adverse reactions, generally limited to GI complaints such as bloating and flatulence, have been reported in clinical trials using standardized extract.

Although artichoke has been consumed safely for centuries as a food, standardized supplements and extracts require further investigation to fully characterize their long-term safety and potential interactions with medications.

Contraindications

• Bile duct obstruction: Due to its bile-stimulating (choleretic) effect, artichoke products should not be used by individuals with bile duct obstruction, including those with gallstones, as they could exacerbate symptoms or lead to complications.
• Gallstones: Artichoke might make gallstones worse by increasing bile flow; use artichoke with caution.
• Asteraceae allergy: Artichoke may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others.
• Pregnancy and lactation: Information regarding safety and efficacy of artichoke leaf extract in pregnancy and lactation is lacking; caution is warranted.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions have been reported, particularly in occupational exposure settings, where individuals handling fresh or dried artichoke plants have experienced eczema-like skin reactions. However, the prevalence of such reactions remains unclear. The possibility of cross-reactivity between artichoke and other plants of the Asteraceae family has not been established. While no cases of oral allergic reactions to ingested artichoke have been documented, caution is advised in sensitive individuals.

An anaphylactic reaction to inulin — a fructan fiber present in artichoke — has been documented in the scientific literature, with specific IgE antibodies identified to an inulin protein compound.

Drug Interactions

Artichoke can inhibit certain liver enzymes (CYP2B6, CYP2C19), potentially altering the metabolism of medications that rely on these pathways. Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Artichoke might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.

Colchicine: Artichoke may increase the serum concentration of colchicine. Monitor therapy.

Artichoke might lower blood sugar levels. Taking artichoke along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Blood sugar should be monitored closely.

Concurrent anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy should be used with monitoring. The risk of medication interaction is significantly higher with concentrated artichoke extracts than with consuming whole artichokes as food.

A case report in the literature describes severe hematological, muscle, and liver toxicity caused by the combination of drugs and artichoke infusion interaction in an elderly polymedicated patient, underscoring the importance of evaluating interactions in patients on multiple medications.

Special Populations

Children: Not routinely recommended; pediatric dosing not established. Elderly: Starting at the lower dosing range and monitoring for interactions and hepatic/renal function is advisable.

8. Regulatory and Market Status

Artichoke leaf extracts are currently used in Germany and Switzerland as a remedy for indigestion and are available in the UK as over-the-counter food supplements. Artichoke leaf extract is available over the counter (OTC) as an herbal supplement in the U.S. In the European Union, the ingredient is recognized under traditional herbal medicine provisions, with registered products in multiple member states. Nineteenth- and twentieth-century European herbal compendia codified leaf use for dyspepsia and biliary complaints, forming part of the historical basis for traditional-use registration.

9. Summary of Evidence

Artichoke leaf extract possibly reduces blood fats and may improve liver function and digestion; however, there is inadequate scientific evidence for most of its other purported benefits. The strongest evidence supports its use in functional dyspepsia and modest lipid reduction. Evidence for IBS, hepatoprotection in NASH, and blood pressure effects is preliminary but consistent in direction across studies. Blood glucose reduction, neuroprotective, and genomic-protective effects remain at the preclinical stage. Overall, ALE is a well-characterized botanical with a centuries-long history of use in which the most clinically relevant findings — digestive symptom relief and modest cholesterol reduction — are supported by multiple RCTs, though study sizes remain small and preparation heterogeneity limits cross-study comparisons.

References

• Pharmacological Studies of Artichoke Leaf Extract and Their Health Benefits — PubMed
• Pharmacological properties and therapeutic profile of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) — PubMed
• Artichoke leaf extract (Cynara scolymus) reduces plasma cholesterol in otherwise healthy hypercholesterolemic adults: a randomized, double blind placebo controlled trial — PubMed
• The Effect of Artichoke Leaf Extract on Alanine Aminotransferase and Aspartate Aminotransferase in the Patients with Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis — PMC
• Functional and Therapeutic Potential of Cynara scolymus in Health Benefits — PMC
• Evaluation of the Protective and Regenerative Properties of Commercially Available Artichoke Leaf Powder Extract on Plasma and Liver Oxidative Stress Parameters — PMC
• Exploring the Cardiovascular Potential of Artichoke — A Comprehensive Review — PMC
• Artichoke (Cynara Scolymus) Methanolic Leaf Extract Alleviates Diethylnitrosamine-Induced Toxicity in BALB/c Mouse Brain — PMC
• Protective activity of Cynara scolymus L. leaf extract against chemically induced complex genomic alterations in CHO cells — PubMed
• Artichoke leaf extract (Cynara scolymus) reduces plasma cholesterol in otherwise healthy hypercholesterolemic adults: a randomized, double blind placebo controlled trial — ScienceDirect
• Effects of artichoke (Cynara scolymus) leaf extract on the growth, blood, and biochemistry parameters of Nile tilapia — PMC
• Artichoke Uses, Benefits & Dosage — Drugs.com
• Artichoke: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews — WebMD
• Artichoke: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose & Precautions — RxList
• Globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus): Benefits, Safety, Uses — Herbal Reality
• Artichoke — British Herbal Medicine Association
• Artichoke Leaf Extract: Complete Science-Based Guide 2026 — DietarySupplementDB
• Clinically-Tested Natural Ingredients (Artichoke Leaf Powder / Cilarin) — Boozaid
• Cynara scolymus extracts for the treatment of dyslipidaemia — US Patent 9687468