Artichoke Extract
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Artichoke Extract (Cynara scolymus) is a dietary supplement with 10 published peer-reviewed studies involving 760 participants, researched for Cholesterol Management, Liver Health, Digestive Support.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Cholesterol Management
StrongLiver Health
StrongDigestive Support
StrongResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Cholesterol Management
To assess ALE on plasma cholesterol in hypercholesterolaemic adults
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess ALE on plasma cholesterol in hypercholesterolaemic adults
Dose
1.8 g/day ALE
Participants
75 hypercholesterolaemic adults
Duration
12 weeks
Results
ALE significantly reduced total cholesterol by 4.2% and LDL-C by 6% compared to placebo. Well tolerated with no significant adverse effects. PMID: 18424099
How They Measured It
Total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides
To meta-analyze Cynara scolymus on cardiometabolic outcomes including cholesterol
Study Type
Meta-analysis
Purpose
To meta-analyze Cynara scolymus on cardiometabolic outcomes including cholesterol
Dose
Various
Participants
Multiple RCTs pooled
Duration
Various
Results
ALE significantly reduced total cholesterol, LDL-C, and fasting blood glucose. Greater effects in hypercholesterolaemic and diabetic subgroups.
How They Measured It
LDL-C, total cholesterol, blood glucose, pooled analysis
To evaluate ALE on lipid profile and oxidative stress in mixed dyslipidaemia
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate ALE on lipid profile and oxidative stress in mixed dyslipidaemia
Dose
1.8 g/day
Participants
56 dyslipidaemic patients
Duration
8 weeks
Results
ALE significantly reduced total cholesterol, LDL-C, and MDA while increasing HDL-C and antioxidant enzyme activity. PMID: 23195590
How They Measured It
Lipid profile, MDA, antioxidant enzymes
Liver Health
To assess artichoke extract in NAFLD
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess artichoke extract in NAFLD
Dose
600 mg/day
Participants
80 NAFLD patients
Duration
8 weeks
Results
ALE significantly reduced AST, ALT, total cholesterol, and triglycerides in NAFLD patients compared to placebo. PMID: 29520889
How They Measured It
AST, ALT, liver ultrasound, lipid profile
To evaluate ALE on liver enzymes in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate ALE on liver enzymes in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Dose
600 mg/day
Participants
90 NASH patients
Duration
2 months
Results
Artichoke extract significantly improved liver enzyme levels and reduced cholesterol and triglycerides in NASH patients. PMCID: PMC4879230
How They Measured It
AST, ALT, GGT, triglycerides, cholesterol
To investigate ALE hepatoprotective mechanisms including LDL oxidation inhibition
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To investigate ALE hepatoprotective mechanisms including LDL oxidation inhibition
Dose
Various concentrations
Participants
Primary human hepatocyte cultures
Duration
N/A
Results
ALE inhibited cholesterol biosynthesis and LDL oxidation in hepatocytes. Anti-cholestatic and hepatoprotective effects confirmed through multiple pathways.
How They Measured It
Hepatocyte viability, antioxidant enzymes, LDL oxidation
Digestive Support
To evaluate artichoke extract on functional dyspepsia in real-world practice
Study Type
Observational clinical study
Purpose
To evaluate artichoke extract on functional dyspepsia in real-world practice
Dose
640 mg three times daily
Participants
247 patients with functional dyspepsia
Duration
6 weeks
Results
Artichoke leaf extract reduced dyspeptic symptom burden by 41%. 80% of patients rated it effective. PMID: 14653829
How They Measured It
Dyspepsia symptom severity index, quality of life
To evaluate ALE on IBS symptoms
Study Type
Randomised controlled trial
Purpose
To evaluate ALE on IBS symptoms
Dose
320 mg/day
Participants
208 patients with IBS
Duration
8 weeks
Results
ALE significantly reduced IBS symptom severity and improved bowel habit and quality of life vs placebo. PMID: 17127365
How They Measured It
IBS symptom score, bowel habit pattern
To investigate choleretic and anti-cholestatic activity of artichoke extract in rats
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate choleretic and anti-cholestatic activity of artichoke extract in rats
Dose
200 mg/kg
Participants
Rats
Duration
7 days
Results
Artichoke extract dose-dependently increased bile flow and bile acid output, confirming choleretic activity relevant to fat digestion and liver detoxification.
How They Measured It
Bile flow, bile acid composition
To review artichoke effects on lipid metabolism, liver, and GI tract
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To review artichoke effects on lipid metabolism, liver, and GI tract
Dose
Various
Participants
N/A
Duration
N/A
Results
ALE inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, provides choleretic and hepatoprotective effects, and improves GI symptoms in dyspepsia and IBS. Strong evidence base for multiple indications. PMID: 23195590
How They Measured It
Literature review of clinical and preclinical studies
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Artichoke Extract research
There are currently 10 peer-reviewed studies on Artichoke Extract (Cynara scolymus), involving 760 total participants. Research covers Cholesterol management, Liver health, Digestive support. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (8 human studies, 1 animal study), and reported outcomes.
Artichoke Extract has been researched for: Cholesterol management, Liver health, Digestive support. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 8 out of 10 studies are human trials. The remaining 1 is an animal study. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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