Globe Artichoke

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Note: The archived version of this monograph has been temporarily removed. For an electronic copy of this archived version, please contact the Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) at NHPD_DPSN@hc-sc.gc.ca.

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Date: April 10, 2008

Proper name(s): Cynara cardunculus L., synonym: Cynara scolymus L. (Asteraceae) (USDA 2007)

Common name(s): Globe artichoke, artichoke, cynara (McGuffin et al. 2000)

Source material(s): Leaf (Bradley 2006; ESCOP 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000)

Route(s) of administration: Oral

Dosage form(s): Those suited to the allowable route(s) of administration.
This monograph is not intended to include food-like dosage forms such as bars, chewing gums or beverages.

Use(s) or Purpose(s): Statement(s) to the effect of:

• Used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve digestive disturbances, such as dyspepsia (Bradley 2006; ESCOP 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000).
• Used in Herbal Medicine to help increase bile flow (choleretic)

(Bradley 2006; Mills and Bone 2005; ESCOP 2003; Hoffmann 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000).

Dose(s): Preparations equivalent to 1.5-10 g dried leaf, per day (Bradley 2006; Mills and Bone 2005; ESCOP 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000).

See Appendix 1 for examples of appropriate dosage preparations and frequencies of use, according to cited references. The purpose of Appendix 1 is to provide guidance to industry.

Duration of use: No statement required.

Risk information: Statement(s) to the effect of:

Caution(s) and warning(s):

• Consult a health care practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen.
• Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant (Barnes et al. 2007; Mills and Bone 2005; ESCOP 2003).
• Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you have gall stones (Mills and Bone 2005; ESCOP 2003; Brinker 2001; Blumenthal et al. 2000)

Contraindication(s):

• Do not use if you are allergic to plants of the Asteraceae/Compositae/Daisy family (Brinker 2008; Bradley 2006; ESCOP 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000).
• Do not use if you have a bile duct obstruction (Brinker 2008; Bradley 2006; ESCOP 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000).

Known adverse reaction(s): Hypersensitivity (e.g. allergy) has been known to occur; in which case, discontinue use (Brinker 2008; Bradley 2006; ESCOP 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000).

Non-medicinal ingredients: Must be chosen from the current NHPD List of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients and must meet the limitations outlined in the list.

Specifications:

• The finished product must comply with the minimum specifications outlined in the current NHPD Compendium of Monographs.
• The medicinal ingredient may comply with the specifications outlined in the Artichoke Leaf Monograph published in the British Pharmacopoeia.

References cited:

Barnes J, Anderson LA, Philipson JD. Herbal Medicines, 3^rd edition. London (UK): The Pharmaceutical Press; 2007.

Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinkmann J, editors. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Boston (MA): Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000.

Bradley PR, editor. British Herbal Compendium: A Handbook of Scientific Information on Widely Used Plant Drugs, Volume 2. Bournemouth (UK): British Herbal Medicine Association; 2006.

Brinker F. Online Updates and Additions to Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions, 3rd edition. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications; 2008. [Accessed 2008-04-10]. Available from: http://www.eclecticherb.com/emp/updatesHCDI.html

Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions, 3^rd edition. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications; 2001.

ESCOP 2003: ESCOP Monographs: The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products, 2^nd edition. Exeter (UK): European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy and Thieme; 2003.

Hoffmann D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester (VT): Healing Arts Press; 2003.

McGuffin M, Kartesz JT, Leung AY, Tucker AO, editors. Herbs of Commerce, 2^nd edition. Silver Spring (MD): American Herbal Products Association; 2000.

Mills S, Bone K. The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. St. Louis (MO): Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2005.

USDA 2007: ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Cynara cardunculus L. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville (MD). [Accessed 2008-04-10]. Available from: http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl

References reviewed:

Sinayoko L, Mennecier D, El Jahir Y, Corberand D, Harnois F, Thiolet C, Farret O. [Acute hepatic injury secondary to ingestion of artichoke extracts (Hepanephrol).] Atteinte hépatique aiguë secondaire à la prise d'extraits d'artichaut (Hépanéphrol®). Gastroentérologie clinique et biologique 2007; 31(11):1039-1040 (in French).

Appendix 1: Examples of appropriate dosage preparations and frequencies of use

Dried leaf: 6 g, per day (Blumenthal et al. 2000)

Infusion: 5-10 g dried leaf, per day (ESCOP 2003)

Tincture: 1.5-4 g dried equivalent, per day
(1:2, 3-8 ml) (Mills and Bone 2005)

Dry aqueous extract:

• 4.5-9 g dried equivalent, per day (Bradley 2006)
• 5-10 g dried equivalent, per day (ESCOP 2003)