Cynarin was crohns the first constituent of the extract to be isolated in 1934 allergy-food-allergy Interestingly, it is found only in trace amounts in the fresh leaves, but is formed by natural chemical changes that take place during drying and extraction of the plant material allergy-food-allergy Cynarin was originally believed to be be crohns the one active component of the extract allergy-food-allergy Today the whole complex of compounds is considered important, since it has not yet been completely clarified which component is responsible for each effect allergy-food-allergy It is claimed that neither cynarin alone nor fresh plant material achieves the potency of the dried dried total extract (Kirchhoff et al allergy-food-allergy 1994) crohns allergy-food-allergy Chlorogenic acid, another major component of the artichoke leaf extract, has recently become known as a powerful antioxidant with exciting potential in many applications allergy-food-allergy Laboratory investigations are ongoing all over the world with promising findings for future clinical application in in areas such as HIV, cancer, and diabetes allergy-food-allergy Most of crohns the modern research on artichoke has been done with the German artichoke extract Hepar SL forte, standardized to contain 3% caffeoylquinic acids allergy-food-allergy A new, even more potent extract, standardized at 15% caffeoylquinic acids-calculated as chlorogenic acid-is now available on on crohns the American market allergy-food-allergy Biological Effects The original uses of artichoke since ancient times have been as an aid for indigestion and insufficient liver function allergy-food-allergy The mechanism of action, however, has been essentially unknown allergy-food-allergy Recent findings have provided a new foundation for our understanding and discovered additional benefits benefits of crohns the extract, such as antioxidant and lipid-lowering effects allergy-food-allergy Effects on the Gastrointestinal System The importance of effective liver function for overall health in general, and proper gastrointestinal function in particular, is rarely emphasized in health discussions in this country allergy-food-allergy One reason might be that there is neither neither laboratory evidence nor specific physical symptoms to reveal an overburdened liver in crohns the beginning stages allergy-food-allergy The symptoms may be nonspecific, such as general malaise, fatigue, headache, epigastric pain, bloating, nausea, or constipation allergy-food-allergy Discomfort following meals and intolerance of fat are also notable indications of disturbances in the biliary | 