Phytochemical and multi-biological characterization of two Cynara scolymus L. varieties: A glance into their potential large scale cultivation and valorization as bio-functional ingredients

Artichoke leaf (Cynarae folium) extracts are used as traditional herbal medicinal products to treat a wide range of human ailments, being widely commercialized as nutraceutical or pharmaceutical preparations. In the current study, the hydromethanolic dried leaf extracts of Cynara scolymus L. var. major Brotero and C. scolymus L. var. redonensis N.H.F. Desp. were phytochemically and biologically investigated. The liquid chromatography high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS/MS) metabolite profiling showed a complex composition, with phenolic acids (mostly mono- and di-caffeoylquinic acids), flavonoids and sesquiterpene lactones as the most representative classes. The strong antioxidant activity of the two C. scolymus varieties was evidenced in DPPH [64.84-65.21 mg trolox equivalents (TE)/g] and ABTS (86.39-95.55 mg TE/g) radical scavenging, cupric (160.49-171.07 mg TE/g) and ferric (71.47-78.95 mg TE/g) reducing capacity, metal chelating and phospho-molybdenum assays. In addition, the two extracts also displayed anti-enzymatic effects, as assessed in cholinesterase, tyrosinase, glucosidase and amylase tests. Lastly, the artichoke samples (at the concentration of 20 mu g/ mL) proved a very potent inhibition of the production of several pro-inflammatory cytokines, namely interleukin (IL)-1 beta [7.55-15.75% of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) + cells], IL-8 (11.72-13.46% of LPS + cells) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (4.07-10.35% LPS + cells), in LPS-stimulated human neutrophils. Overall, the results of our study indicate that the two C. scolymus varieties could be regarded as a rich source of biologically active compounds, opening thus the perspectives for their future large scale cultivation and valorization as bio-functional ingredients with putative antioxidant, anti-enzymatic and anti-inflammatory effects.

Automated summary

This study investigated the phytochemical and biological properties of two varieties of Cynara scolymus leaf extracts. The extracts showed a complex composition rich in phenolic acids, flavonoids, and sesquiterpene lactones. They exhibited strong antioxidant activity, anti-enzymatic effects, and potent inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production.