Although research on this plant and its effects on the liver are not entirely conclusive, reports indicate that artichoke demonstrates the ability to protect the liver to the extent of stimulating the growth of new cells in the liver - a physiologic process called hepatic hyperplasia, or simply, liver regeneration.

Artichoke root and leaf extracts have shown potential to protect the liver against damage, and may even promote the regeneration of liver cells. 3 The primary means of hepatoprotection is likely antioxidant activity.

As published in a 2008 edition of Nutrition and Cancer, Italian researchers evaluated the liver protective effects of artichoke extract in human liver cell lines. They found artichoke extract to demonstrate a significant antioxidant effect capable of protecting liver cells from damage.

Now, researchers have found that globe artichoke extracts also have protective effects on the liver even when liver inflammation is present, and can reverse damage so that ALT and AST enzyme levels start to fall.

Artichoke leaf extract may protect your liver from damage and promote the growth of new tissue (13, 14, 15). It also increases the production of bile, which helps remove harmful toxins from your liver (9).