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Artichoke Leaf Extract May Provide Irritable Bowel Syndrome Relief

Artichoke leaf extract may help relieve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms for some patients.

United Kingdom researchers suggest that a controlled trial of the product is justified, after studying its use among a sub-group of IBS patients.

Researchers from the University of Reading note that IBS, characterised by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits, affects approximately 22 percent of the general population.

It is generally known that the syndrome is difficult to treat, they add.

"There is a growing body of evidence which indicates therapeutic properties for artichoke leaf extract," they point out.

This extract is used for dyspepsia, which shares symptoms with IBS. As a result, the researchers decided to examine whether the extract would also provide IBS symptom relief.

They studied a sub-group of dyspeptic syndrome patients who were already being monitored in a six-week, post-market surveillance study of artichoke leaf extract. These sub-group participants also had IBS symptoms.

Investigators report that the IBS patients had significant reductions in the severity of their IBS symptoms. They also note that both patients and their doctors gave favourable evaluation of the overall effectiveness of the extract.

"Furthermore, 96 percent of patients rated artichoke leaf extract as better than or equal to previous therapies administered for their symptoms."

Patients were found to tolerate the extract well.
Phytotherapy Research, 2001; 15: 58-61. "Artichoke leaf extract reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in a post-marketing surveillance study"

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