Theophrastus and the name of Artichoke.

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Artichoke Extract Health Benefits:11.Further effects.

Artichoke leaf Extract INCI Name Cynara Scolymus Extract CAS 84012-14-6 EINECS ELINCS No 281-659-3 Artichoke thistle extract photo picture image The polyphenolic constituents of artichoke extract are by now widely recognized to be powerful antioxidants. One of the caffeoylquinic derivatives in particular, chlorogenic acid, has been repeatedly investigated during the last couple of years, with interesting results pointing to new territories, such as HIV, cancer, glucose metabolism and more.

 Chlorogenic acid was tested in a study of chemically induced precursor lesions to colorectal cancer in rats (Morishita et al., 1997). Significant results were achieved both in preventing and reducing these lesions in the group that was treated with chlorogenic acid.

 An investigation on HIV replication in tissue cultures demonstrated that caffeoylquinic acids are a potentially important class of HIV inhibitors that can contribute to our understanding of the mechanisms for viral integration into the host cells. These compounds act at a site distinct from that of current HIV therapeutic agents and are promising leads to new anti-HIV therapeutics. An important observation in this study was also that caffeoylquinic acids are effective against the virus at only one hundredth the concentration at which they exhibit toxicity. (Robinson et al., 1996; McDougall et al., 1998).

 Another potential field for further exploration is the glucose metabolism in the liver. A study from Germany in 1998 found chlorogenic acid to be an effective inhibitor of the so-called hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase system, which regulates blood glucose levels. Such a Gl-6-P inhibitor may be useful for the reduction of inappropriately high rates of glucose output from the liver, which is often found in non-insulin-dependent diabetes. (Hemmerle et al., 1997)

 Numerous animal studies have indicated that chlorogenic acid is effective in inhibiting carcinogenic reactions, and plays an integral role in modulating the carcinogenic potential of toxic chemicals. (More et al., 1986; Tanaka et al., 1993; Kitts et al., 1994; Kono et al., 1995). These results might suggest possible future application of this natural substance to chemoprevention of cancer.

 One particularly interesting feature of chlorogenic acid is its antioxidant effect against a substance called peroxynitrite. It has been shown, for example, that chlorogenic acid prevents oxidative damage to DNA by scavenging peroxynitrite (Grace et al., 1998). Now, why may this be important?

 Peroxynitrite is a cytotoxic agent that forms in the body from the reaction between superoxide and nitric oxide. Through recent research it is established that peroxynitrite is one of the major damaging oxidants produced in humans. Peroxynitrite formation is particularly associated with ischemic injuries, inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases, and damages biologically important molecules through a number of mechanisms.

 As our tissues are continually exposed to damaging "reactive oxygen species" or free radicals, it is important to have effective defense mechanisms to protect against or repair the damage caused by these free radicals. Major defense mechanisms include certain enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase, and antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E and glutathione. Oxidative stress occurs when the production of damaging radicals overwhelms the antioxidant defenses. Chlorogenic acid may prove to add substantial force to these defenses. Peroxynitrate as well as chlorogenic acid will most likely remain a focus of research for many years to come.

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citations1.Theophrastus and the name of Artichoke.

last edit date:1st,July.2009.