Investigation of the in vivo antioxidative activity of C ynara scolymus (artichoke) leaf extract in the streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rat

The in vivo antioxidant activity of a quantified leaf extract of C ynara scolymus (artichoke) was studied. The aqueous artichoke leaf extract ( ALE ), containing 1.5% caffeoylquinic acid with chlorogenic acid being most abundant (0.30%), and luteolin‐7‐ O ‐glucoside as major flavonoid (0.15%), was investigated by evaluating the effect on different oxidative stress biomarkers, after 3 wk oral supplementation in the streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rat model. Apart from two test groups (0.2 g ALE /kg BW /day and 1 g ALE /kg BW /day, where BW is body weight), a healthy control group, untreated oxidative stress group, and vitamin E treated group (positive control) were included. A 0.2 g/kg BW /day of ALE decreased oxidative stress: malondialdehyde and 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels significantly diminished, whereas erythrocyte glutathione levels significantly increased. A 1.0 g/kg BW /day ALE did not show higher antioxidant activity.