The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal composite recipe of rice muffin using three different amounts of Chinese artichoke (Stachys sieboldii MIQ) powder, brown sugar, and egg. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to obtain 16 experimental points (including three replicates of Chinese artichoke powder, brown sugar, and egg), and the Chinese artichoke rice muffin formulation was optimized using rheology. The results of the sensory evaluation showed very significant values for color, texture, sweetness, and overall quality (P<0.05). The results of the color, texture, and chemical analyses showed significant values for crumb redness (P<0.01), crumb yellowness (P<0.05), crust redness (P<0.05), crust yellowness (P<0.001), crust lightness (P<0.05), adhesiveness (P<0.01), springiness (P<0.001), gumminess (P<0.01), cohesiveness (P<0.05), moisture content (P<0.05), and sweetness (P<0.05). As a result, optimum formulations obtained by numerical and graphical methods were found to be 8.28 g of Chinese artichoke powder, 66.20 g of brown sugar, 111.72 g of sticky rice powder, 30 g of rice powder, and 59.37 g of egg.
Adhesiveness ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Cynara scolymus* ; Humans ; Ovum ; Rheology

In this article, the foreign and domestic literature on alien plant medicine Cynara scolymus was reviewed to explore its properties and functions in traditional Chinese medicine theory, and provide theoretical basis for clinical application and reasonable compatibility. Based on the literature databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, VIP and Sinomed, the articles with high reliability related to C. scolymus were screened out and the obtained articles were systematically classified according to clinical application, chemical compositions, pharmacological action, toxic and side effects, etc. In the analysis with traditional Chinese medicine theory, it is concluded that: C. scolymus tastes bitter and slightly cold, attributing to spleen, stomach, liver and gall meridians. It has the functions of eliminating accumulation and guiding stagnation, regulating Qi-flowing for harmonizing stomach, clearing away dampness and heat, resolving turbidity and lowering blood lipids. It can be used for the treatment of dyspepsia, diet reduction, vomiting, nausea, abdominal distention, hypochondriac pain, jaundice, hyperlipidemia, etc. Through the analysis and research of the relevant literature on C. scolymus, the properties and functions of the drug were clarified, which could provide a theoretical basis for further animal experiments and clinical research. The research model of "traditional Chinese medicine theory" for alien plant medicines can provide reference for the introduction and research of botanical drugs around the world, which can greatly enrich Chinese medicine resources and is of great significance for promoting the sustainable development of traditional Chinese medicine.
Animals ; Cynara scolymus ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Meridians ; Reproducibility of Results

BACKGROUNDTranscription factor 7-like 2 (TCF7L2)-rs7903146 polymorphism is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes. The response of insulin and insulin resistance to artichoke leaf extract (ALE) may be affected by TCF7L2-rs7903146 polymorphism.

OBJECTIVEThis study examined the effects of ALE supplementation on metabolic parameters of the TCF7L2-rs7903146 polymorphism in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS).

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONSThis double-blind clinical trial was conducted on 80 patients with MetS in Sina Clinic, Khoy, Iran. The patients were randomized into ALE or placebo groups to receive either ALE (1800 mg/d as four tablets) or matching placebo for 12 weeks.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURESAnthropometric indices, blood pressure, glucose and lipid profile levels were measured before and after the study. Moreover, patients were genotyped for TCF7L2 polymorphism.

RESULTSALE supplementation decreased insulin level and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in patients with the TT genotype of TCF7L2-rs7903146 polymorphism (P < 0.05). There was no significant interaction between blood pressure, glucose and lipid profile response to ALE supplementation.

CONCLUSIONThe responses of insulin and HOMA-IR to ALE supplementation have shown an interaction with single-nucleotide polymorphism rs7903146 in TCF7L2.

TRIAL REGISTRATIONIranian Registry of Clinical Trial IRCT201409033320N9.

Adult ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Cynara scolymus ; Dietary Supplements ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Insulin ; blood ; Insulin Resistance ; genetics ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome ; blood ; drug therapy ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 Protein ; genetics