it has now been found that by combining cynara scolymus extracts with phaseolus vulgaris extracts , surprising effects on the reduction of body weight are obtained , proportional to the dose administered ; the data in rats suggested that the effect on body weight reduction is not simply associated with a reduction in the blood glucose level , but also with a definite reduction in food consumption . various pharmacological experiments demonstrate that this reduced food intake , despite unrestricted access to food , is associated not with a simply toxic effect , but with a modification in the desire to eat . the combination of an artichoke extract , which helps to increase the elimination of fats and glucose by modifying glucose transport in the intestine and liver , with substances that reduce the metabolism of starch , is particularly important in the maintenance of body weight , and blocks its progress . the extracts which can be used according to this invention are commercial artichoke extracts , extracts according to wo 2007 / 006391 , or an artichoke extract with a high content of caffeoylquinic acids and luteolin glycosides , obtainable by extraction from undried edible heads with c1 - c3 alcohols or mixtures thereof with water . the extraction from the undried edible heads of cynara scolymus is preferably performed with ethanol or ethanol / water mixtures , especially ethanol / water in the ratio of 7 : 3 v / v . after purification , an extract is obtained which differs from known extracts due to its high content of caffeoylquinic acids and flavonoids expressed as luteolin glycosides . the extract also possesses hypoglycaemic activity . the extract can be prepared from various globe artichoke cultivars , preferably from the spiny variety , and even more preferably from the sardinian spiny variety . the preferred artichoke extract has a caffeoylquinic acid content ranging between 30 and 60 %, preferably around 45 %, and a flavonoid content , expressed as luteolin glycosides , ranging between 2 and 5 %, preferably around 2 . 5 %. a commercial extract can be used as phaseolus vulgaris extract ; however , the phaseolus vulgaris extract described in pct / ep2006 / 012012 is preferred . said extract is obtainable by extraction from phaseolus sp . with mixtures of ethanol and water , and is characterised by an alpha - amylase inhibitor content of between 1200 and 1600 usp / mg ( hplc titre between 7 and 14 % w / w ) and a phytohaemagglutinin content of between 12 , 000 and 30 , 000 hau / g . said extract can be obtained by a process which comprises : a ) extraction of phaseolus sp . with aqueous buffers having a ph ranging between 3 and 6 . 5 and subsequent separation of the extract from the biomass , which can possibly be further extracted with the buffer until exhaustion in alpha - amylase and phytohaemagglutinin inhibitors ; b ) filtration or centrifugation of the combined extracts and concentration to a volume corresponding to approx . 10 % of the weight of the biomass of the starting extract after centrifugation ; c ) differential precipitation of the concentrated aqueous extract with diluted ethanol , to a final concentration between 60 and 70 % v / v ; d ) separation of precipitate and reprecipitation from demineralised water with 60 % ethanol or diafiltration on a membrane with a 10 , 000 da cut - off , and drying of precipitation residue . the combination of the two extracts in a ratio between 1 : 0 . 25 and 1 : 1 comprises doses ranging from 50 to 500 mg per dose for the cynara scolymus extract , preferably 200 mg , and from 50 to 200 mg per dose for the phaseolus vulgaris extract , preferably 100 mg , to be taken before meals or whenever foods rich in carbohydrates are eaten . the hypoglycaemic activity of the composition according to the invention is surprisingly superior to the hypoglycaemic activity of the two constituents alone . the results , obtained according to the method described by tormo m a et al ., br . j . nutr . 96 , 539 , 2006 , are set out in the table . and their combination on glycemia in wistar rats given a restricted the composition according to the invention is suitable to be incorporated in pharmaceutical formulations such as tablets , dragrées , soft and hard gelatin capsules and cellulose capsules . the extracts are preferably formulated in oils rich in polyunsaturated ω3 / ω6 acids such as oenothera biennis ( evening primrose ) oil . the same results as observed in laboratory animals have been confirmed in humans at doses of between 50 and 1000 mg a day . load 2 kg of cynara scolymus heads , vr . sardinian spinosus , chopped and frozen at the time of harvesting , into a percolator with a heating jacket , and cover with 4760 ml of 95 ° etoh to obtain an alcohol content of approx . 70 % ( assuming an 85 % water content in the plant ). maintain in contact for 3 hours at 70 ° c ., then unload . in the successive extractions , extract with etoh 70 % v / v at 70 ° c ., covering the plant , with a minimum contact time of 3 hours . perform a total of 5 extractions , using approx . 15 l of solvent . combine the percolates and concentrate under vacuum at 35 ° c . to approx . 15 % of dried residue . leave to cool at ambient temperature , separate the insoluble fraction , and load the clear aqueous solution into a column packed with 530 ml of xad - 7 hp resin . wash the column , first with 530 ml of water ( eliminating the eluate ) and then with 1325 ml of 90 % etoh . concentrate the hydroethanolic eluate and dry at 50 ° c . under vacuum for 24 hours . 18 . 59 g of purified extract will be obtained . hplc titres : caffeoylquinic acids 49 . 13 %, flavonoids 2 . 68 %. formulation of cynara scolymus and phaseolus vulgaris extracts into oily suspension for soft gelatin capsules heat oenothera biennis oil to approx . 70 ° c . and melt the glyceryl monostearate in it under agitation . add the soya lecithin to the solution obtained . disperse the cynara scolymus and phaseolus vulgaris extracts in the solution obtained , ensuring even distribution . gradually cool the solution obtained , keeping it under agitation . formulation of cynara scolymus and phaseolus vulgaris extracts into hard gelatin capsules mix extracts , microcrystalline cellulose , lactose and silicon dioxide . divide the mixture obtained between hard gelatin capsules . formulation of cynara scolymus and phaseolus vulgaris extracts into modified - release granules granulate the extracts , microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethylcellulose with an aqueous solution of povidone . dry and calibrate the granulate obtained . coat granules with an aqueous suspension of methacrylic acid copolymer , triethyl citrate , talc and simeticone . formulation of cynara scolymus and phaseolus vulgaris extracts into immediate - release granules granulate the extracts , microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethylcellulose with an aqueous solution of povidone . dry and calibrate the granulate obtained . mixture of cynara scolymus and phaseolus vulgaris extract granulates with different release profiles mix 50 % of the granulate described in example 4 with 50 % of the granulate described in example 5 . divide the mixture obtained between hard gelatin capsules .
a cynara scolymus extract with a high content of caffeoylquinic acids , and a composition containing the cynara scolymus extract with a phaseolus vulgaris extract . the composition is useful in reducing obesity as it reduces cholesterol , triglycerides and blood glucose by sensitising the cells to insulin . this combination , when taken before meals , reduces the appetite , leading to a reduction in body weight . the extracts are preferably formulated in oenothera biennis oil , fish oil , or oils rich in unsaturated ω - 3 fatty acids .