Cynarin was the first constituent of the extract to be isolated in 1934 irritable-bowel-syndrome-irratable-bowel-syndrome 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-irratable-bowel-syndrome Cynarin was originally believed to be be the one active component of the extract irritable-bowel-syndrome-irratable-bowel-syndrome 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-irratable-bowel-syndrome 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-irratable-bowel-syndrome 1994) irritable-bowel-syndrome-irratable-bowel-syndrome 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-irratable-bowel-syndrome 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-irratable-bowel-syndrome 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-irratable-bowel-syndrome 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-irratable-bowel-syndrome Biological Effects The original uses of artichoke since ancient times have been as an aid for indigestion and insufficient liver function irritable-bowel-syndrome-irratable-bowel-syndrome The mechanism of action, however, has been essentially unknown irritable-bowel-syndrome-irratable-bowel-syndrome 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-irratable-bowel-syndrome 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-irratable-bowel-syndrome 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-irratable-bowel-syndrome The symptoms may be nonspecific, such as general malaise, fatigue, headache, epigastric pain, bloating, nausea, or constipation irritable-bowel-syndrome-irratable-bowel-syndrome Discomfort following meals and intolerance of fat are also notable indications of disturbances in the biliary | 