Artichoke Extract

    Written by:
    Daryl Nault

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Katie Jantz, Conni Covington
    Last Updated: February 11, 2025

    Artichoke extract (Cynara scolymus) is an extract from the common bulb vegetable that appears to have the ability to stimulate bile secretion; this may underlie a weak reduction in cholesterol and improved fat digestion.

    38 references on this page
    17,516 participants in 3 trials and 4 meta-analyses

    Overview

    Dosage information

    Formulation:

    Artichoke extract is often derived from the leaves of the artichoke plant, but it may also include or be derived from the head, whole plant, hearts, and bud. Most of the beneficial activity is believed to come from the phenolic compounds (96 mg of gallic acid equivalent per 100 grams of the raw plant) artichoke contains. Formulation approaches include juices, aqueous extractions, and dried extractions. As an extraction, it may be taken as powder, tablets, or capsules. Standardized extracts tend to mention a drug-to-extract ratio, but there is no clear optimal formulation.

    Range of dosages studied:

    Dosage varies by the indication and formulation used. The range of dosages used in human studies spans from 4.33 to 3,000 mg per day.

    Effective Dosages:

    Blood Lipids and Cardiovascular Health

    Adults: Multiple formulations and dosages have shown some effectiveness in a variety of adult populations that include both people with diagnosed conditions (high cholesterol, hypertension, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes) and individuals without any known health conditions. Formulations include whole plant and leaf extractions, frozen juice, powders, tablets, and capsules in ranges that span from 50 to 3,000 mg per day over 4–12 weeks in divided and singular administrations.

    Liver Health

    Adults: Multiple formulations and dosages have shown some effectiveness in adult populations, particularly in individuals with liver disease. Formulations include whole plant and leaf extractions, leaf juice, dry extracts, powders, and tablets in ranges that span from 50 to 2,700 mg per day over 4 to 32 weeks. The most effective dosage for improving enzyme levels indicative of liver damage appears to be less than 500 mg per day, taken over durations of 8 weeks or more.

    Digestive Health

    Adults: For adults with functional dyspepsia, a dose of 1,920 mg per day as a dried leaf extract (drug-to-extract ratio of 3.8:1 to 5.5:1) may be effective for symptom relief when taken over 6 weeks.

    Other Considerations:

    A wide range of dosages suggests that artichoke is bioactive in a variety of conditions, but there is no clear agreement on which is the optimal dosage. It is unclear whether artichoke extract needs to be taken alongside a meal or not.

    Examine Database: Artichoke Extract

    Research FeedRead all studies

    Frequently asked questions

    Update History

    Research Breakdown

    Examine Database References

    1. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) - Osadnik T, Goławski M, Lewandowski P, Morze J, Osadnik K, Pawlas N, Lejawa M, Jakubiak GK, Mazur A, Schwingschackl L, Gąsior M, Banach MA network meta-analysis on the comparative effect of nutraceuticals on lipid profile in adults.Pharmacol Res.(2022-Sep)
    2. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) - Bundy R, Walker AF, Middleton RW, Wallis C, Simpson HCArtichoke leaf extract (Cynara scolymus) reduces plasma cholesterol in otherwise healthy hypercholesterolemic adults: a randomized, double blind placebo controlled trialPhytomedicine.(2008 Sep)
    3. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) - Englisch W, Beckers C, Unkauf M, Ruepp M, Zinserling VEfficacy of Artichoke dry extract in patients with hyperlipoproteinemiaArzneimittelforschung.(2000 Mar)
    4. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) - Lupattelli G, Marchesi S, Lombardini R, Roscini AR, Trinca F, Gemelli F, Vaudo G, Mannarino EArtichoke juice improves endothelial function in hyperlipemiaLife Sci.(2004 Dec 31)
    5. Triglycerides - Hossein Shahinfar, Elham Bazshahi, Mohammad Reza Amini, Nastaran Payandeh, Sanaz Pourreza, Zahra Noruzi, Sakineh Shab-BidarEffects of artichoke leaf extract supplementation or artichoke juice consumption on lipid profile: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsPhytother Res.(2021 Dec)
    6. Triglycerides - Wider B, Pittler MH, Thompson-Coon J, Ernst EArtichoke leaf extract for treating hypercholesterolaemia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.(2013 Mar 28)
    7. Triglycerides - Liu H, Li Y, Jin Y, Li X, Wang D, Yu X, Jiang Z, Yin G, Chen S, Zhang X, Meng D, Yu W, Jiang W, Zhang FEffects of different natural products in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease-A network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Phytother Res.(2024 Jul)