Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L) modifies bacterial enzymatic activities and antioxidant status in rat cecum

Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L) contains indigestible organic matter that reaches the colon and is substrate for intestinal microbiota. The capacity of artichoke to modify metabolic activities of colonic bacterial enzymes (azoreductase, β-glucuronidase, β-glucosidase, nitroreductase, and nitrate reductase) and antioxidant status were studied in the cecal content of Wistar rats. Rats were fed a fiber-free diet supplemented with cellulose (control diet) or artichoke, for 3 weeks. The artichoke diet increased the weight of the cecum content and caused hypertrophy of the cecum wall. Artichoke modified bacterial enzyme activities (increased β-glucuronidase, β-glucosidase, and nitroreductase and reduced nitrate reductase and azoreductase activities), which enhances the capacity of microbial enzymes to metabolize glycosides and nitrocompounds. The antioxidant status in cecal contents was more favorable in the artichoke group. Free-radical scavenging capacity and reducing power were significantly higher in the group fed with artichoke than in the control group. These findings suggest that the indigestible fraction of artichoke may affect the intestinal health.