Artichoke leaf extract

What it is

An extract of the leaves of the globe artichoke, an edible plant of the daisy (Compositae/Asteraceae) family. The European Medicines Agency's herbal committee lists the leaf as a traditional herbal medicinal product for digestive complaints.

What the research says

It is mainly sold for cholesterol and digestion. Two recent meta-analyses of small randomised trials report modest falls in total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, but no change in HDL cholesterol, fasting glucose or HbA1c in one of them, and one reviewer called earlier results inconsistent. An older systematic review found only one usable trial, and that trial showed no effect on cholesterol in healthy volunteers. In one 12-week trial it lowered oxidised LDL but no other oxidative-stress marker. Reported side effects are mild stomach upsets and allergy. The EU monograph advises against it for anyone with bile-duct blockage, gallstones or liver disease.

Evidence grade: Limited evidence.

What goes wrong

The systematic review reported no major adverse effects in the controlled trials it looked at, and good tolerability in post-marketing surveillance. (Source 1)

• Systematic review, Low certainty.
• Size: 1 RCT, 2 other controlled trials, 3 post-marketing surveillance studies.
• Who: trial participants and extract users.
• How long: not stated.
• Result: No major adverse effects at 1.9 g/day of extract; no rates given.
• Funding: not stated.

Limit of this finding: The review summary gives two different sizes for its one effectiveness trial: it first says the trial had 144 people, then describes a placebo-controlled trial of 44 healthy volunteers. One of these numbers is probably a typing error, and the original 1998 paper has not been checked, so the size of the trial is uncertain. What can be relied on is that the review found only one effectiveness trial, and that trial was small.

No major adverse effects were observed in the RCT or in two other controlled trials of 1.9 g per day of artichoke extract.

The EU herbal monograph lists mild diarrhoea with cramps, nausea, heartburn and allergic reactions as side effects, with frequency not known. (Source 2)

• Official position, Certainty not rated.
• Size: not applicable.
• Who: users of artichoke leaf medicinal products.
• How long: not applicable.
• Result: Frequency not known.
• Funding: independent (EU regulator)

Slight diarrhoea with abdominal spasm, epigastric complaints like nausea, and heartburn have been reported.

The EU monograph says artichoke leaf should not be used with bile-duct obstruction, gallstones, liver disease or allergy to daisy-family plants. (Source 2)

• Official position, Certainty not rated.
• Size: not applicable.
• Who: people with biliary or liver disease, or Asteraceae allergy.
• How long: not applicable.
• Result: Contraindication.
• Funding: independent (EU regulator)

Obstruction of bile duct, cholangitis, liver disease, gallstones and any other biliary disorders that require medical supervision and advice.

A case report describes anaphylaxis after accidental eating of artichoke in a person also sensitised to chicory, endive and Compositae pollen. (Source 3)

• Case report, Very low certainty.
• Size: 1 patient.
• Who: adult with multiple food and pollen sensitisations.
• How long: acute.
• Result: Anaphylaxis; positive skin prick tests to artichoke, chicory and endive.
• Funding: not stated.

Here we report on a case of anaphylaxis occurred upon unintentional ingestion of artichoke (Cynara scolymus), an edible plant of the Compositae family.

What the evidence supports

A 2024 meta-analysis of 21 randomised trials reported that artichoke products lowered LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides, and called for a large well-designed trial of a standardised preparation. (Source 4)

• Meta-analysis, Low certainty.
• Size: 21 RCTs (participant total not given in abstract)
• Who: adults in RCTs of artichoke products (mixed conditions)
• How long: varied across trials.
• Result: LDL-c WMD -12.94 mg/dL (95% CI -18.02, -7.87); total cholesterol WMD -19.64 mg/dL (95% CI -23.94, -15.35); triglycerides WMD -13.36 mg/dL (95% CI -19.06, -7.66); SBP WMD -1.59 mmHg.
• Funding: not stated.

A large, well-designed RCT and head-to-head comparison using a standardized preparation of artichoke will provide definitive data on specific participants.

What the evidence does not support

In the same 2025 meta-analysis, artichoke did not significantly change fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, body weight or hip circumference. (Source 5)

• Meta-analysis, Certainty not rated.
• Size: not stated in abstract.
• Who: adults in RCTs of artichoke supplementation.
• How long: varied across trials.
• Result: Fasting glucose and HbA1c unaffected; body weight and hip circumference not significant; AST borderline non-significant.
• Funding: not stated.

Limit of this finding: The PubMed abstract prints every confidence interval with the minus sign missing from its lower end (for example '95 % CI: 19.92 to -4.65' for total cholesterol). As printed these ranges are impossible, since the first number is larger than the second and on the wrong side of zero. Given the reductions reported, they almost certainly should read -19.92 to -4.65 (total cholesterol), -18.57 to -2.04 (LDL), -24.77 to -0.93 (triglycerides), -3.33 to -0.32 (insulin) and -1.33 to -0.51 (HOMA-IR). Read the direction of each effect as a reduction, but do not rely on the printed ranges without checking the full paper.

whereas fasting blood glucose and HbA1c were unaffected

An earlier systematic review found only one trial giving effectiveness data, a small placebo-controlled trial in healthy volunteers, and it showed no significant effect on cholesterol over 12 weeks. (Source 1)

• Systematic review, Low certainty.
• Size: one small RCT (the review gives its size as both 144 and 44; see caveat)
• Who: healthy volunteers.
• How long: 12 weeks.
• Result: No significant effect on serum cholesterol; subgroup with baseline total cholesterol above 210 mg/dl showed lowering (subgroup analysis only)
• Funding: not stated.

Limit of this finding: The review summary gives two different sizes for its one effectiveness trial: it first says the trial had 144 people, then describes a placebo-controlled trial of 44 healthy volunteers. One of these numbers is probably a typing error, and the original 1998 paper has not been checked, so the size of the trial is uncertain. What can be relied on is that the review found only one effectiveness trial, and that trial was small.

One placebo controlled RCT of 44 healthy volunteers found no significant effects on serum cholesterol levels over a 12-week study period.

In a 12-week double-blind trial in metabolic syndrome, 1,800 mg a day of artichoke leaf extract lowered oxidised LDL but did not change four other oxidative-stress markers. (Source 6)

• Randomized trial, Low certainty.
• Size: 80 randomised, 68 completed.
• Who: adults with metabolic syndrome.
• How long: 12 weeks.
• Result: ox-LDL -266.8 +/- 615.9 vs -129.5 +/- 591.2 ng/L (p < 0.05); no significant change in MDA, SOD, GPx or TAC.
• Funding: not stated.

However, no significant inter- and intra-group changes in MDA, SOD, GPx, and TAC concentrations were observed.

Where the evidence is mixed

A 2025 meta-analysis reported modest reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides with artichoke, but no significant effect on HDL cholesterol. (Source 5)

• Meta-analysis, Certainty not rated.
• Size: not stated in abstract.
• Who: adults in RCTs of artichoke supplementation.
• How long: varied across trials.
• Result: Total cholesterol WMD -12.29 mg/dL; LDL-C WMD -10.31 mg/dL; triglycerides WMD -12.85 mg/dL; HDL-C not significant (the abstract's printed confidence intervals are missing minus signs; see caveat)
• Funding: not stated.

Limit of this finding: The PubMed abstract prints every confidence interval with the minus sign missing from its lower end (for example '95 % CI: 19.92 to -4.65' for total cholesterol). As printed these ranges are impossible, since the first number is larger than the second and on the wrong side of zero. Given the reductions reported, they almost certainly should read -19.92 to -4.65 (total cholesterol), -18.57 to -2.04 (LDL), -24.77 to -0.93 (triglycerides), -3.33 to -0.32 (insulin) and -1.33 to -0.51 (HOMA-IR). Read the direction of each effect as a reduction, but do not rely on the printed ranges without checking the full paper.

with no significant effect on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol

Where the research disagrees

Whether artichoke extract lowers cholesterol in people

• Pittler and Ernst systematic review (1998), assessed by CRD/DARE, systematic review of one RCT plus safety studies: More controlled clinical trials are needed to establish the clinical effectiveness of artichoke extract for serum cholesterol reduction. (Source 7)
• Phimarn et al. (2024), meta-analysis of 21 RCTs: Artichoke may improve blood glucose, lipid profile, blood pressure, and anthropometric parameters. (Source 4)

How much

• Reference intake: There is no RDA or AI: artichoke leaf is not a nutrient. The EMA herbal committee (2018) covers it only as a traditional herbal medicinal product for digestive symptoms. (Source 2)
• Upper limit: No tolerable upper intake level has been set. The EMA monograph (2018) lists contraindications and says use in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not recommended because data are lacking. (Source 2)
• Studied: 1,800 mg artichoke leaf extract a day (four tablets) for 12 weeks in adults with metabolic syndrome. (Source 6)
• Studied: Controlled trials in the earlier review used 1.9 g of extract a day. (Source 1)

A common belief, and what the research shows

The belief: Artichoke is a liver cleanse, so it is good for anyone with liver or gallbladder trouble.

What the research shows: The EU monograph lists liver disease and gallstones as reasons not to use it: "Obstruction of bile duct, cholangitis, liver disease, gallstones and any other biliary disorders that require medical supervision and advice."

Questions and answers

What is it?

Artichoke leaf extract is made from the leaves of the globe artichoke, a food plant in the daisy (Compositae) family. It is sold as capsules, tablets, teas and liquid extracts. (Source 3)

What does it do in the body?

It is used for indigestion, bloating and cholesterol. Trials pooled in meta-analyses show modest drops in total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, but no change in HDL, fasting glucose or HbA1c. The EU recognises only traditional use for digestive symptoms. (Source 2)

Is it good or bad for you?

For most adults in trials it was well tolerated, with small lipid effects in pooled studies. It can cause mild digestive upset and allergy, and it is not advised with gallstones, bile-duct blockage, liver disease, pregnancy or breastfeeding. (Source 2)

How do you get more of it?

Studies gave it as standardised leaf extract tablets or capsules. In one trial participants took 1,800 mg a day as four tablets for 12 weeks. This is a description of what was studied, not a suggestion. (Source 6)

If it is harmful, what reduces it?

Does not apply. The body does not make or store it. Side effects reported with use are mild digestive symptoms and allergy. (Source 2)

Why might someone be low in it or missing it?

Does not apply. Artichoke leaf is a plant medicine, not a nutrient or body compound, so nobody is deficient in it. (Source 2)

Which whole foods contain it or feed it?

The globe artichoke head is a common Mediterranean vegetable, but supplements use the leaves, which are not usually eaten. Eating the vegetable is not shown to match the extract doses used in trials. (Source 3)

What happens if you do not have it?

Nothing is known to happen. It is not essential; the EU lists it only as a traditional herbal product for digestive symptoms. (Source 2)

How can you test for it?

There is no blood or other test for artichoke leaf intake. Skin prick tests and specific IgE tests can show artichoke allergy. (Source 3)

References

1. Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, via NCBI Bookshelf. Artichoke leaf extract for serum cholesterol reduction (DARE structured abstract of Pittler MH, Ernst E. Perfusion 1998;11(8):338-340). 1998. Read the source
2. European Medicines Agency, Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). European Union herbal monograph on Cynara cardunculus L. (syn. Cynara scolymus L.), folium. 2018. Read the source
3. Revue Française d'Allergologie et d'Immunologie Clinique 44(8):646-648. Allergy to artichoke: a case report. 2004. DOI 10.1016/j.allerg.2004.10.005. Read the source
4. Pharmacognosy Magazine. Effect of Cynara scolymus L. on Cardiometabolic Outcomes: An Updated Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Meta-regression. 2024. DOI 10.1177/09731296231217557. Read the source
5. Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews. Artichoke and cardiometabolic health: A systematic and meta-analytic synthesis of current evidence. 2025. PMID 41270328, DOI 10.1016/j.dsx.2025.103328. Read the source
6. Clinical Nutrition 37(3):790-796. Antioxidant response to artichoke leaf extract supplementation in metabolic syndrome: A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial. 2018. DOI 10.1016/j.clnu.2017.03.017. Read the source
7. Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, via NCBI Bookshelf. Artichoke leaf extract for serum cholesterol reduction (DARE structured abstract of Pittler MH, Ernst E. Perfusion 1998;11(8):338-340) - authors' conclusions section. 1998. Read the source