Wild cardoon ( Cynara cardunculus subsp. cardunculus L . ) is an endemic plant of the Mediterranean basin with nutritional and health properties. Herein, fresh wild cardoon leaf by-product was extracted with either a 20:80% v/v EtOH:H 2 O or an 80:20% v/v EtOH:H 2 O mixture (WCE1 and WCE2, respectively). The quali-quantitative profiles of the two extracts were analysed by LC-ESI-QTOF MS/MS and HPLC-PDA, revealing hydroxycinnamic acids as the predominant phenolic compounds, followed by flavonoids. WCE2, the extract richest in phenolic compounds was incorporated into nanosized enteric polymer-coated liposomes, which exhibited a high entrapment efficiency. The extract's nanoformulation showed antioxidant properties in in vitro cell-free and cell-based models as well as good stability during storage and in both simulated and ex vivo gastrointestinal fluids. Overall, the wild cardoon leaf extract incorporated into polymer-coated liposomes for oral delivery was demonstrated to be a valuable source of antioxidants, thus offering opportunities for their valorisation into functional foods. • Wild cardoon leaf by-product was extracted with EtOH:H 2 O mixtures. • Liposomes for the oral delivery of a wild cardoon extract were prepared. • Good antioxidant properties were observed using cell-free and cell-based assays. • High levels of hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonoids and cynaropicrin were detected. • Good stability in storage and under gastrointestinal conditions was demonstrated.
Masala et al. (Mon,) studied this question.