Evidence supporting the use of: Cynaropicrin
For the health condition: Fatty Liver Disease
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Cynaropicrin is a sesquiterpene lactone found predominantly in artichoke (Cynara scolymus). Its use for fatty liver disease (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD) is supported by preclinical scientific studies, though high-quality clinical trials in humans are lacking. Several animal studies have shown that cynaropicrin exhibits hepatoprotective effects, reducing hepatic lipid accumulation, inflammation, and fibrosis in rodent models of NAFLD. The proposed mechanisms include activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), leading to reduced lipogenesis and increased fatty acid oxidation, as well as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities.
For example, a 2018 study in mice fed a high-fat diet demonstrated that cynaropicrin administration significantly attenuated liver steatosis and decreased markers of liver injury and inflammation (PMID: 29801768). In vitro, cynaropicrin has been shown to modulate lipid metabolism pathways and reduce oxidative stress in hepatocyte cell lines.
Despite these promising findings, there are currently no published randomized controlled trials in humans specifically assessing cynaropicrin for fatty liver disease. Artichoke extracts—which contain cynaropicrin among other compounds—have shown some benefit in small, preliminary human studies, but the specific contribution of cynaropicrin remains unclear.
In summary, while there is scientific rationale and preclinical evidence supporting cynaropicrin’s potential for treating fatty liver disease, human data are insufficient. The overall evidence level is therefore rated as 2 out of 5.
Other ingredients used for Fatty Liver Disease
Akkermansia muciniphilaalgal oil
alpha-glycosyl isoquercitrin
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
anthocyanins
arjun tree
artichoke
astaxanthin
banaba
barberry
barley
beet
berberine
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium longum
black garlic
sesame
branched-chain amino acids
butyrate triglyceride
canola oil
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
cauliflower
chia seed
chicory
chlorella
chokeberry
choline
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
turmeric
curcumin
cyclodextrin
dandelion
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fenugreek
fiber blend (proprietary)
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
ginger
grape
hesperetin
kelp
l-carnitine
L-glutathione
L-methionine
L-taurine
lecithin
licorice root
liquid liver fractions
marine lipid
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
milk thistle
naringin
niacin (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
palmitoleic acid
perilla
phenolic compounds
phosphatidylcholine
phospholipids
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
butyric acid
psyllium
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
silymarin
spirulina
tocotrienols
trans-pterostilbene
tributyrin
trimethylglycine (TMG)
triphala
Urolithin A
vitamin C
vitamin E
seaweed
mulberry
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
jiaogulan
enicostemma littorale
punarnava
picrorhiza kurroa
lingzhi
morus
ferulic acid
ganoderma
polyphenols
anemarrhena asphodeloides
coix
nopal
Algae
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ashitaba
4-hydroxyisoleucine
7,14-Hydroxy-Docosapentaenoic Acid
Arjuna
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Antrodia camphorata
Avocado
Ascophyllum nodosum
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
Adzuki bean
Ampelopsin
Algal protein
Alisma
Arabinoxylan
Argan nut oil
Anemarrhena
Alpha methyl Tetradecylthioacetic Acid
Apocynin
Arjunolic acid
Borotutu
Brutieridin
Brown Algae
Brassica
Berberis (unspecified)
Baicalein
Blakeslea trispora
Betanin
Bifidobacteria
bile acid
Baicalin
Carqueja
Chebulic acid
Camelina Oil
Coriander
chlorogenic acid
Cynarin
Cruciferous
Chitin-Glucan Complex
Caulerpa okamurae
Copalchi
Curcuma
Corilagin
Crocetin
Cynaropicrin
corosolic acid
Carnosic acid
Diallyl sulfide
Danshen
Dihydromyricetin
DL-Methionine
Decursin
D-Pinitol
Diosgenin
Dithiolthiones
epicatechin
Eriocitrin
Ergothioneine
Erythrodiol
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Eucommia ulmoides
Fucoidan
Fiber
Fucosterol
Fatty acids
Flavanones
Fucoxanthin
Flavonolignan
Glutathione
Hydroxycinnamic acid
Hydroxytyrosol
Isosilybin
Jaboticaba
Jurubeba
Job's Tears
Kefir
Lycium
Lactobacillus plantarum
Limonoid
Legume protein
Mangiferin
Myricetin
Monounsaturated Fat
Marine fat
Naringenin
Oleuropein
Oolong Tea
Oligosaccharides
Oxymatrine
Ornithine l-aspartic acid
Oleoylethanolamide
Osthole
Phellodendron
Puerarin
Phlorizin
Phaeophyceae
Pinitol
Phlorotannins
Polydatin
Phthalides
Pu-Er Tea
Purple Tea
Punicalagins
Rebaudioside
Rapeseed Oil
Rhubarb
Schizochytrium Oil
Schizochytrium
Silybin
Syringic acid
Salvianolic acid
Salacia
Schisandrins
Silydianin
Silychristin
S-allylcysteine
Sesamin
Sinensetin
Tetradecylthioacetic acid
Tyrosol
Taxifolin
Thistle
Tangeretin
Tanshinone
trehalose
Taurine
Theabrownin
Ursolic Acid
Varuna
Wax Gourd
Wakame
walnut
Yacon
Yin Chen
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Cynaropicrin
Cancer (natural therapy for)Cancer (prevention)
Fatty Liver Disease
Inflammation
Liver Detoxification
Metabolic Syndrome