Functional and Therapeutic Potential of <i>Cynara scolymus</i> in Health Benefits
Dietary supplements enriched with bioactive compounds represent a promising approach to influence physiological processes and enhance longevity and overall health. <i>Cynara cardunculus</i> var. <i>scolymus</i> serves as a functional food supplement with a high concentration...
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MDPI AG
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/6/872 |
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| author | Chiara Porro Tarek Benameur Antonia Cianciulli Mirco Vacca Margherita Chiarini Maria De Angelis Maria Antonietta Panaro |
| author_facet | Chiara Porro Tarek Benameur Antonia Cianciulli Mirco Vacca Margherita Chiarini Maria De Angelis Maria Antonietta Panaro |
| author_sort | Chiara Porro |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Dietary supplements enriched with bioactive compounds represent a promising approach to influence physiological processes and enhance longevity and overall health. <i>Cynara cardunculus</i> var. <i>scolymus</i> serves as a functional food supplement with a high concentration of bioactive compounds, which offers various health-promoting benefits. Several chronic diseases have metabolic, genetic, or inflammatory origins, which are frequently interconnected. Pharmacological treatments, although effective, often result in undesirable side effects. In this context, preventive approaches are gaining increased attention. Recent literature indicates that the consumption of bioactive compounds in the diet can positively influence the organism’s biological functions. Polyphenols, well-known for their health benefits, are widely recognized as valuable compounds in preventing/combating various pathologies related to lifestyle, metabolism, and aging. The <i>C. scolymus</i> belonging to the Asteraceae family, is widely used in the food and herbal medicine fields for its beneficial properties. Although the inflorescences (capitula) of the artichoke are used for food and culinary purposes, preparations based on artichoke leaves can be used as an active ingredient in herbal medicines. <i>Cynara scolymus</i> shows potential benefits in different domains. Its nutritional value and health benefits make it a promising candidate for improving overall well-being. <i>C. scolymus</i> exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, liver-protective, bile-expelling, antimicrobial, and lipid-lowering neuroprotective properties. Different studies demonstrate that oxidative stress is the leading cause of the onset and progression of major human health disorders such as cardiovascular, neurological, metabolic, and cancer diseases. The large amount of polyphenol found in <i>C. scolymus</i> has an antioxidant activity, enabling it to neutralize free radicals, preventing cellular damage. This reduces the subsequent risk of developing conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, these polyphenols demonstrate anti-inflammatory activity, which is closely associated with their antioxidant properties. As a result, <i>C. scolymus</i> has the potential to contribute to the treatment of chronic diseases, including intestinal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative pathologies. The current review discussed the nutritional profiles, potential benefits, and pharmacological effects of <i>C. scolymus.</i> |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:56:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2196ea5ff337476fad7f4a3524326c92 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T17:56:56Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-2196ea5ff337476fad7f4a3524326c922024-03-27T13:58:19ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432024-03-0116687210.3390/nu16060872Functional and Therapeutic Potential of <i>Cynara scolymus</i> in Health BenefitsChiara Porro0Tarek Benameur1Antonia Cianciulli2Mirco Vacca3Margherita Chiarini4Maria De Angelis5Maria Antonietta Panaro6Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari, 70125 Bari, ItalyDepartment of Soil, Plant and Food Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, ItalyDepartment of Soil, Plant and Food Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, ItalyDepartment of Soil, Plant and Food Science, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125 Bari, ItalyDepartment of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari, 70125 Bari, ItalyDietary supplements enriched with bioactive compounds represent a promising approach to influence physiological processes and enhance longevity and overall health. <i>Cynara cardunculus</i> var. <i>scolymus</i> serves as a functional food supplement with a high concentration of bioactive compounds, which offers various health-promoting benefits. Several chronic diseases have metabolic, genetic, or inflammatory origins, which are frequently interconnected. Pharmacological treatments, although effective, often result in undesirable side effects. In this context, preventive approaches are gaining increased attention. Recent literature indicates that the consumption of bioactive compounds in the diet can positively influence the organism’s biological functions. Polyphenols, well-known for their health benefits, are widely recognized as valuable compounds in preventing/combating various pathologies related to lifestyle, metabolism, and aging. The <i>C. scolymus</i> belonging to the Asteraceae family, is widely used in the food and herbal medicine fields for its beneficial properties. Although the inflorescences (capitula) of the artichoke are used for food and culinary purposes, preparations based on artichoke leaves can be used as an active ingredient in herbal medicines. <i>Cynara scolymus</i> shows potential benefits in different domains. Its nutritional value and health benefits make it a promising candidate for improving overall well-being. <i>C. scolymus</i> exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, liver-protective, bile-expelling, antimicrobial, and lipid-lowering neuroprotective properties. Different studies demonstrate that oxidative stress is the leading cause of the onset and progression of major human health disorders such as cardiovascular, neurological, metabolic, and cancer diseases. The large amount of polyphenol found in <i>C. scolymus</i> has an antioxidant activity, enabling it to neutralize free radicals, preventing cellular damage. This reduces the subsequent risk of developing conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, these polyphenols demonstrate anti-inflammatory activity, which is closely associated with their antioxidant properties. As a result, <i>C. scolymus</i> has the potential to contribute to the treatment of chronic diseases, including intestinal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative pathologies. The current review discussed the nutritional profiles, potential benefits, and pharmacological effects of <i>C. scolymus.</i>https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/6/872artichokeinflammationfunctional foodpolyphenols |
| spellingShingle | Chiara Porro Tarek Benameur Antonia Cianciulli Mirco Vacca Margherita Chiarini Maria De Angelis Maria Antonietta Panaro Functional and Therapeutic Potential of <i>Cynara scolymus</i> in Health Benefits Nutrients artichoke inflammation functional food polyphenols |
| title | Functional and Therapeutic Potential of <i>Cynara scolymus</i> in Health Benefits |
| title_full | Functional and Therapeutic Potential of <i>Cynara scolymus</i> in Health Benefits |
| title_fullStr | Functional and Therapeutic Potential of <i>Cynara scolymus</i> in Health Benefits |
| title_full_unstemmed | Functional and Therapeutic Potential of <i>Cynara scolymus</i> in Health Benefits |
| title_short | Functional and Therapeutic Potential of <i>Cynara scolymus</i> in Health Benefits |
| title_sort | functional and therapeutic potential of i cynara scolymus i in health benefits |
| topic | artichoke inflammation functional food polyphenols |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/6/872 |
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