Studies have not established the effect of artichokes on breast cancer
Artichokes (Cynara scolymus), otherwise known as globe artichokes, are a member of the thistle family. Artichokes are a good dietary source of phosphorus, magnesium, iron, niacin, vitamin B1 and vitamin B2, and also include some folate, manganese, and zinc. Artichokes also contain apigenin, luteolin, silibinin, chlorogenic acid, cynarin, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, several anthocyanins, and oligofructose compounds such as inulin, most of which have been reported to have anti-cancer properties. Artichokes have been shown to have antioxidant, antifungal, antigenotoxic, liver-protective and hypoglycemic activities, as well as reducing cholesterol and ameliorating indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome.
Cancer-related effects of eating artichokes
Artichoke extract has been shown to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in triple negative breast cancer cells in the laboratory. Flavone components of artichoke (apigenin and luteolin) have been shown to induce apoptosis across a variety of breast cancer cell lines. An Italian population study found that the risk of breast cancer was reduced for increasing intake of apigenin and luteolin, among other flavonoids. However, no population studies have specifically evaluated the impact of consuming artichokes on the risk of breast cancer and it is possible that other components of artichoke could interfere with the cancer-protective effects of apigenin and luteolin.
Additional comments
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum), a herb related to the artichoke, traditionally has been used for its liver-protective properties, but increasingly is being used by cancer patients. Milk thistle is the best known source of the compound flavonoid silymarin, which contains silybin. Silymarin also contains the silibinin found in artichokes. Silybin has been shown to inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in human breast cancer cells and HER-2/neu overexpressing mammary tumors in a mouse model. However, one study found that treatment of human breast cancer tumors in rodents with silymarin isolated from milk thistle stimulated cancer growth. Therefore, we caution breast cancer patients, survivors and those at high risk against taking concentrated milk thistle, artichoke or silymarin supplements.
Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus), also known as artichoke thistle or wild artichoke, is an edible thistle-like plant native to the Mediterranean. Jerusalem artichokes (Helianthus tuberosus) are part of the sunflower family and are not related to artichokes.
Note that while we are continually searching for new evidence concerning this food, there is not much interest in it among cancer researchers so few recent studies are available.