Artichoke extracts with potential application in chemoprevention and inflammatory processes

Abstract The aim of this work is to study three cultivars of artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus): Gauchito, Guri and Oro Verde in terms of their in vitro chemoprevention and anti-inflammatory properties. These cultivars show good productive performance. The phenolic composition of their fresh leaves and edible bracts was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography and high resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC-HRMS), showing mainly caffeoylquinic acids and flavonoids. Caffeoylquinic acids were quantified and the highest content was found in Gauchito cultivar. In this cultivar, the content of dicaffeoylquinic acids in fresh bracts was six times higher than that in fresh leaves (10064.5 ± 378.3 mg/kg versus 1451.0 ± 209.3 mg/kg respectively). Luteolin flavonoids were detected in leaves. The extracts from fresh bracts and leaves were assessed in their in vitro bioactivity against human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y). Inhibition of SH-SY5Y cells proliferation by Gauchito and Guri leaf extracts (8 µg/mL) was higher than 50 %. The leaf extracts of the same cultivars showed an inhibitory effect on human interferon IFN-I, decreasing its activity 50% at 40 µg/mL. Interestingly, the bract extracts did not show in vitro bioactivity at these concentrations, nor did the pure compounds chlorogenic acid, cynarin, apigenin and luteolin (at 2 µg/mL). These results suggest that Gauchito and Guri leaf extracts have potential for human neuroblastoma chemoprevention and treatment of inflammatory processes.

Effects of the Mixture of ‎ Cynara cardunculus var scolymus and Cinnamomum zeylanicum on Hepatic Enzymes Activity and Lipid Profiles in Patients with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Objective:Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly going to be one of the most common metabolic diseases which can negatively affect the liver function and needs to be more explored within the context of new and efficient therapies. The aim of this study was to determine the benefit of Cynara cardunculus var scolymusand Cinnamomum zeylanicummixture infusion (1.5 and 0.25 g/100 mL and twice/day) on patients with NAFLD. Methods:The study was designed as a before-after clinical trial and performed on 20 patients having NAFLD. They were asked to use the mixture of extracts prepared in special bags twice a day for 30 days. Before and after using the mixture, Liver markers of NAFLD including alanin aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphates (ALP), cholesterol (chol), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and also, fatty liver ultrasonograhic grading were measured. Results:Treatment with mixture of extracts in patients with NAFLD resulted in a significant decrease in ALT, AST, and ALP. Also there was a significant improvement in lipid profile of the patients given by decreased TG, Chol, and LDL and increased HDL in serum. Moreover, a significant decrease in grade of sonographic examination was showed. No significant linear correlation was found between age, BMI and gender one way side and biochemical parameters and liver enzymes.Conclusion:Taken together, it is concluded that the mixture of Cynara cardunculusvar scolymus, Cinnamomum zeylanicumcan have beneficial effects on hepatic function and lipid profiles of patients with NAFLD

Phenotypic variability in a population of globe artichoke / Variabilidade fenotípica em uma população de alcachofra

The existence of variability is a prerequisite for genetic improvement in plants. Globe artichoke is a high nutritious vegetable with medical value, representing a profitable alternative for rural producers. This research was conducted with the aim of evaluating the phenotypic variability in a commercial cultivar of artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus L) established from seeds. Field plants were assessed when primary head reached commercial stage. An amount of 21 quantitative and 5 multicategoric characters were assessed. The quantitative data were submitted to multivariate analysis. For quantitative characters the distance between individuals varied from 3.0 to 50.9, revealing high intrapopulation variability. The greater relative contribution characters for genetic divergence were the primary head fresh mass (79.88%) and bottom fresh mass (8.43%). This indicates the possibility of plant selection for head quality in this population. The clustering analysis through UPGMA method, based on quantitative characters, allowed the formation of five groups. For multicategoric traits, the similarity among individuals varied from 1.22% to 100%. Within the existing population variability, it was possible to select plants with superior quantitative traits desirable for in natura consumption, as primary head fresh weight and length, bottom fresh mass, bract basis length and width, as well as non-quantitative traits as round head shape, absence of thorn and presence of violet color in the head.

A existência de variabilidade é um pré-requisito para o melhoramento genético em plantas. A alcachofra é uma hortícola de alto valor nutritivo e medicinal, representando uma alternativa rentável para os produtores rurais. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a variabilidade fenotípica de uma cultivar comercial de alcachofra (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus L) estabelecida por sementes. As plantas foram cultivadas no campo e avaliadas quando o capítulo primário atingiu o estádio comercial. Foram avaliados 21 caracteres quantitativos e cinco multicategóricos, com posterior análise multivariada. Para os caracteres quantitativos, a distância entre os indivíduos variou de 3 a 50,9, revelando elevada variabilidade intrapopulacional. Os caracteres com maior contribuição relativa para divergência genética foram a massa fresca do capítulo primário (79,88%) e massa fresca do fundo (8,43), indicando a possibilidade de seleção de plantas com qualidade de capítulo nesta população. A análise de agrupamento pelo método UPGMA, com base nos caracteres quantitativos, permitiu a formação de cinco grupos. Para as variáveis multicategóricas, similaridade entre os indivíduos variou de 1.22% a 100%. Foi possível selecionar indivíduos com características superiores quanto aos principais caracteres quantitativos desejáveis para o consumo in natura, como: massa fresca e comprimento do capítulo primário, massa fresca de fundo, comprimento e largura da base das brácteas, comprimento das brácteas externas, bem como características não quantitativas como capítulo de formato circular, ausência de espinhos e presença de cor violeta no capítulo.