Planta Med 2002; 68(9): 776-779
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-34417
Original Paper
Pharmacology
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Prevention of Taurolithocholate-Induced Hepatic Bile Canalicular Distortions by HPLC-Characterized Extracts of Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) Leaves[*]

R. Gebhardt1
  • 1Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: December 19, 2001

Accepted: May 11, 2002

Publication Date:
30 September 2002 (online)

Abstract

The effects of water-soluble extracts of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) leaves on taurolithocholate-induced cholestatic bile canalicular membrane distortions were studied in primary cultured rat hepatocytes using electron microscopy. Artichoke extracts at concentrations between 0.08 and 0.5 mg/ml were able to prevent the formation of bizarre canalicular membrane transformations in a dose-dependent manner when added simultaneously with the bile acid. However, prevention also occurred when the hepatocytes were preincubated with the extracts, indicating that absorption of the bile acid to components of the extracts was not involved. These results demonstrate that artichoke leaf extracts exert a potent anticholestatic action at least in the case of taurolithocholate. This effect may contribute to the overall hepatoprotective influence of this herbal formulation.

1 * Part of the experimental work was done at the Physiologisch-chemisches Institut, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 4, while affiliated with the University of Tübingen, 72 076 Tübingen, Germany

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1 * Part of the experimental work was done at the Physiologisch-chemisches Institut, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 4, while affiliated with the University of Tübingen, 72 076 Tübingen, Germany

Prof. Dr. Rolf Gebhardt

Institute of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty

University of Leipzig

Liebigstr. 16


04103 Leipzig

Germany

Phone: +49-341-9722100

Fax: +49-341-9722109

Email: rgebhardt@medizin.uni-leipzig.de

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