title: Artichoke leaf extract reduces mild dyspepsia in an open study.
abstract: A recent post-marketing study indicated that high doses of standardised artichoke leaf extract (ALE) may reduce symptoms of dyspepsia. To substantial these findings, this study investigated the efficacy of a low-dose ALE on amelioration of dyspeptic symptoms and improvement of quality of life. The study was an open, dose-ranging postal study. Healthy patients with self-reported dyspepsia were recruited through the media. The Nepean Dyspepsia Index and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were completed at baseline and after 2 months of treatment with ALE, which was randomly allocated to volunteers as 320 or 640 mg daily. Of the 516 participants, 454 completed the study. In both dosage groups, compared with baseline, there was a significant reduction of all dyspeptic symptoms, with an average reduction of 40% in global dyspepsia score. However, there were no differences in the primary outcome measures between the two groups, although relief of state anxiety, a secondary outcome, was greater with the higher dosage (P = 0.03). Health-related quality of life was significantly improved in both groups compared with baseline. We conclude that ALE shows promise to ameliorate upper gastro-intestinal symptoms and improve quality of life in otherwise healthy subjects suffering from dyspepsia.
authors.affiliation: Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, The University of Reading, UK.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marakis
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Middleton
authors.forename: J C L
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Booth
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Pike
mesh_terms: D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002756:Cholagogues and Choleretics; D010936:Plant Extracts