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