Hepatoprotective effect of Cichorium intybus on CCl 4 - induced liver damage in rats

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of hydroalcholic extract of Cichorium intybus (Cichorium intybus) using a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) - induced liver injury in rats. The leaf extract at oral dosage of 200, 400 and 500 mg/kg exhibited significant (P<0.05) protective effect against CCl4 induced hepatoxocity. Level of serum markers such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminitransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB) were significantly increased in CCl4 treated rats. Simultaneously, C. intybus extract significantly suppressed mainly the increase in plasma activities of AST, ALT, ALP and TB concentration, which are considered as markers of liver functional state. The results of this study confirmed the hepatoprotective activity effect of the hydroalcholic extract of C. intybus.