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