Hepatoprotective activity of Cichorium intybus (Linn.) root extract against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in albino Wistar rats

Hepatotoxicity in one of the major parameters need to be consider in drug therapy, because most of the drugs in single at low/high doses for a prolonged period or multiple drug therapy causes liver damage. Chicory is a Mediterranean herb that has been used as a coffee filler or substitute. It contains no caffeine and has a chocolate-like flavor

Aim

The present study aimed to investigates the possible hepatoprotective activity of Cichorium intybus (Linn.) against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in albino Wistar rats.

Methods

Alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the C. intybus (Linn.) roots were used in the study for determination of hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in albino Wistar rats. A comparison was also made between the actions of C. intybus (Linn.) root extracts and a known hepatoprotective drug silymarin. Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried. Biochemical parameters like SGOT, SGPT, SALP and total bilirubin and histopathological studies were used to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity. Acute toxicity studies were carried out according to OECD (420) guidelines and 400 mg/kg BW for both extracts was selected for the present study.

Results

Showed that both extracts found to have significant hepatoprotective activity, reduces the elevated levels of SGOT, SGPT, SALP and Total bilirubin. But aqueous extract found to have hepatoprotective activity almost compared to silymarin. Histopathology showed regeneration of hepatocytes to normal, with the root extracts further confirmed the hepatoprotective activity of extracts of C. intybus (Linn.).

Conclusion

Results indicate that it is worth undertaking further studies on possible usefulness of the extracts of the roots of C. intybus (Linn.) in hepatotoxicity.