Research Article

Artichoke leaf extract reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in a post-marketing surveillance study

  1. Ann F. Walker1,*,
  2. Richard W. Middleton2,
  3. Otto Petrowicz3

Article first published online: 26 JAN 2001

DOI: 10.1002/1099-1573(200102)15:1<58::AID-PTR805>3.0.CO;2-R

Issue

Phytotherapy Research

Phytotherapy Research

Volume 15, Issue 1, pages 58–61, February 2001

Additional Information

How to Cite

Walker, A. F., Middleton, R. W. and Petrowicz, O. (2001), Artichoke leaf extract reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in a post-marketing surveillance study. Phytotherapy Research, 15: 58–61. doi: 10.1002/1099-1573(200102)15:1<58::AID-PTR805>3.0.CO;2-R

Author Information

  1. 1

    The Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, School of Food BioSciences, The University of Reading, PO Box 226, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AP, UK

  2. 2

    Lichtwer Pharma UK Ltd, Regency House, Mere Park, Dedmere Road, Marlow, Buckinghamshire SL7 1FJ, UK

  3. 3

    Institut für experimentelle Onklogie und Therapieforschung der Technischen, Universitãt München, Germany

*The Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, Department of Food Science and Technology, The University of Reading, PO Box 226, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AP, UK

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 26 JAN 2001
  2. Article first published online: 26 JAN 2001
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 7 JUN 2000
  4. Manuscript Received: 22 MAR 2000

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Keywords:

  • irritable bowel syndrome;
  • dyspepsia;
  • artichoke leaf extract;
  • cynara scolymus;
  • post-marketing surveillance

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a problem reported to affect 22% of the general population. It is characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habit, but has so far defied elucidation of its pathogenesis and proved difficult to treat. There is a growing body of evidence which indicates therapeutic properties for artichoke leaf extract (ALE). Dyspepsia is the condition for which the herb is specifically indicated, but the symptom overlap between dyspeptic syndrome and IBS has given rise to the notion that ALE may have potential for treating IBS as well. A sub-group of patients with IBS symptoms was therefore identified from a sample of individuals with dyspeptic syndrome who were being monitored in a post-marketing surveillance study of ALE for 6 weeks. Analysis of the data from the IBS sub-group revealed significant reductions in the severity of symptoms and favourable evaluations of overall effectiveness by both physicians and patients. Furthermore, 96% of patients rated ALE as better than or at least equal to previous therapies administered for their symptoms, and the tolerability of ALE was very good. These results provide support for the notion that ALE has potential value in relieving IBS symptoms and suggest that a controlled trial is justified. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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