Chicory root

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chicory root

What is chicory root

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), a member of the Asteraceae family, is a well-known herb possessing various biological activities. Chicory is an erect fairly woody perennial herb, around 1 m in height with a fleshy taproot of up to 75 cm in length and large basal leaves 1. Historically, chicory was grown by the ancient Egyptians as a medicinal plant, coffee substitute, and vegetable crop and was occasionally used for animal forage. In the 1970s, it was discovered that chicory root contained up to 40% inulin, a polysaccharide similar to starch, which has a negligible impact on blood sugar and thus is suitable for diabetics 2. Inulin is mainly found in the plant family Asteraceae as a storage carbohydrate (for example Jerusalem artichoke, dahlia, yacon, etc.). It is used as a sweetener in the food industry with a sweetening power  1⁄10 that of sucrose and is sometimes added to yogurts as a prebiotic. Inulin is also gaining popularity as a source of soluble dietary fiber and functional food. To date, chicory is grown for the production of inulin on an industrial scale 3.

Chicory root (Cichorium intybus var. sativum) has also been cultivated in Europe as a coffee substitute 4. The roots are baked, roasted, ground, and used as an additive, especially in the Mediterranean region (where the plant is native). As a coffee additive, it is also mixed in Indian filter coffee, and in parts of Southeast Asia, South Africa, and southern United States, particularly in New Orleans. It has been more widely used during economic crises such as the Great Depression in the 1930s and during World War II in Continental Europe. Chicory, with sugar beet and rye, was used as an ingredient of the East German Mischkaffee (mixed coffee), introduced during the “East German coffee crisis” of 1976-79.

Chicory was grown by ancient Egyptians as a medicinal plant, vegetable crop, and animal feed 5. Chicory is native to Europe and Asia and has been widely used in traditional therapy for the medication gastrointestinal and inflammatory disorders 6. Important phytochemicals are distributed throughout the plant; however, the primary contents are present in the root. Chicory root extracts have been stated to have antimicrobial 7, antihyperglycemic 8, immunostimulant 9, antioxidative effect 10, antiinflammatory 11, and tumor-inhibitory activities 12.

Figure 1. Chicory root

chicory root

Some beer brewers use roasted chicory to add flavor to stouts (commonly expected to have a coffee-like flavour). Others have added it to strong blond Belgian-style ales, to augment the hops, making a witlofbier, from the Dutch name for the plant.

Chicory root extract is a dietary supplement or food additive produced by mixing dried, ground chicory root with water, and removing the insoluble fraction by filtration and centrifugation. Other methods may be used to remove pigments and sugars. It is used as a source of soluble fiber. Fresh chicory root typically contains, by dry weight, 68% inulin, 14% sucrose, 5% cellulose, 6% protein, 4% ash, and 3% other compounds. Dried chicory root extract contains, by weight, about 98% inulin and 2% other compounds 13. Fresh chicory root may contain between 13 and 23% inulin, by total weight 14.

Chicory Traditional Uses

Chicory is a medicinally important plant in Eurasia and in parts of Africa. Despite its long tradition of use, the plant is not described in the European Pharmacopoeia or in any official Pharmacopoeia of a European Union member state 15. However, due to its prevalent distribution, different parts of the plant have been used in traditional medicines globally 16. Important phytochemicals are distributed throughout the plant, but the main contents are present in the root 1.

Medicinal plants have been used for centuries and numerous cultures still rely on indigenous medicinal plants to meet their primary health care needs. It is likely that the insightful knowledge of plant-based remedies in traditional cultures advanced through trial and error and that the most important cures were carefully passed from one generation to another 17. Historically, chicory was grown by the ancient Egyptians as a medicinal plant 18 and it has had a long history of therapeutic use both in areas where it is indigenous and in areas where it has been introduced. The various common or local names describing this plant may be ascribed to the widespread use by different folkloric groups.

Different preparations of this plant are employed to treat various symptoms and ailments (Table 1). The juice is said to be a folk remedy for cancer of the uterus and for tumors 2. In South Africa, although it is considered a widespread weed, leaves, stems, and roots are made into a tea for jaundice and chicory syrup is used as a tonic and purifying medicine for infants 19. In Turkey, an ointment is made from the leaves for wound healing 20. Decoction refers to a preparation that is made by adding cold water to the plant material which is then boiled and allowed to simmer for 5–10 min after which it is strained 17. Chicory decoctions are traditionally made from individual plant parts and/or from the plant as a whole (see Table 1).

According to the European monograph, traditional use of chicory roots includes the relief of symptoms related to mild digestive disorders (such as feeling of abdominal fullness, flatulence, and slow digestion) and temporary loss of appetite 21.

Table 1. Traditional medicinal uses of Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

CountryTraditional use(s)Plant part(s)Preparation(s)Reference
AfghanistanMalariaRootAqueous extract22
Bosnia and HerzegovinaDiarrhea, strengthening the prostate and other reproductive organs, pulmonary cancer, hangover, and purification of biliary tractAerial part, flowers, rootsNot stated23
Liver disorders, spasmolytic,
cholesterol, antiseptic		AerialDecoction24
BulgariaCholagogue stimulant
for gastric secretion,
hypoglycemic		Roots, aerial partsDecoction25
IndiaLiver disordersSeeds26
DiabetesWhole plantNot stated27
Jaundice, liver enlargement, gout, and rheumatismRootDecoction27
Cough reliefNot stated
IranEupeptic, stomachic, depurative, choleretic, laxative, hypotension, tonic, and antipyreticWhole plantNot stated28
ItalyBlood cleansingLeavesNot stated29
High blood pressureLeavesDecoction30
Blood purification,
arteriosclerosis, antiarthritis,
antispasmodic,
digestive		Leaves/rootsDecoction31
DepurativeWhorlsDecoction32
Choleretic, hepatoprotective
against jaundice, mild
laxative, hypoglycemic		LeavesDecoction, squashed fresh leaves25
JordanInternal hemorrhage, sedative in typhoidWhole plantCooking26
MoroccoRenal diseaseAerial/rootsNot stated33
Kidney disorders, diabetesWhole plantDecoction34
PakistanDiabetesRootsDecoction35
PolandDigestive complaints and lack of appetiteRootsTea15
SerbiaDiarrheaFlowerInfusion36
Diuretic, digestive, laxative, anti-inflammatory, liver complaints, reducing blood sugarRootsDecoction/tea37
Cholagogue, digestive, hypoglycemicAerial part/rootNot stated38
South AfricaJaundice, tonicLeaves, stems, roots19
TurkeyCancer, kidney stonesRootsDecoction39
Wound healingLeafOintment20
Hemorrhoids, urinary disordersAerialTea40

Chicory root extract

Chicory presents a little investigated plant in terms of phytochemistry and pharmacology. Over 100 individual compounds have been isolated and identified from this plant (see Table 2), the majority of which are from chicory roots. Most of the pharmacological studies on this plant document the testing of aqueous and/or alcoholic extracts only. Apart from the pharmacologically important activities, the use of chicory (hairy root cultures) has also been implicated in the phytoremediation of DDT 41.

Chicoric acid has been identified as the major compound in methanolic extracts of chicory (Table 2). Aliphatic compounds and their derivatives comprise the main fraction while terpenoids comprise minor constituents of the plant. The flowers of chicory contain saccharides, methoxycoumarin cichorine, flavonoids, essential oils and anthocyanins contributing to the blue colour of the perianth. Table 2 provides a summary of the compounds isolated and identified from chicory. Octane, n-nonadecane, pentadecanone, hexadecane, and a tentatively identified compound have been found as principal volatile components 2. A list of volatile compounds is given in Table 3.

Table 2. Compounds isolated and identified from Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

Compound
Lactucin
Lactucopicrin
8-Deoxylactucin
Jacquilenin
11β,13-Dihydrolactucin
11,13-Dihydrolactucopicrin
Crepidiaside B
Cyanidin 3-O-p-(6-O-malonyl)-D-glucopyranoside
3,4β-Dihydro-15-dehydrolactucopicrin
Magnolialide
Ixerisoside D
Loliolide
Cichorioside B
Sonchuside A
Artesin
Cichoriolide
Cichorioside
Sonchuside C
Cichopumilide
Putrescine
Spermidine
β-Sitosterol
Campesterol
Stigmasterol
(7S, 8R)-3′-Demethyl-dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol-3′-O-β-glucopyranoside
Chlorogenic acid
3,5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid
4,5-Dicaffeoylquinic acid
Crepidiaside A
Cichoralexin
Malic acid
Caffeic acid
3-Caffeoylquinic acid
5-Caffeoylquinic acid
4-Caffeoylquinic acid
cis-5-Caffeoylquinic acid
cis-Caftaric acid
trans-Caftaric acid
5-Caffeoylshikimic acid
5-p-Coumaroylquinic acid
Quercetin-3-O-glucuronide-7-O-(6′′-O-malonyl)-glucoside
Kaempferol-3-O-glucosyl-7-O-(6′′-O-malonyl)-glucoside
Dimethoxycinnamoyl shikimic acid
Kaempferol-3-O-sophoroside
Isorhamnetin-7-O-(6′′-O-acetyl)-glucoside
5-O-Feruloylquinic acid
Dicaffeoyltartaric acid (chicoric acid)
Kaempferol-7-O-glucosyl-3-O-(6′′-malonyl)-glucoside
Delphinidin-3-O-(6′′-O-malonyl)-glucoside-5-O-glucoside
Cyanidin-3,5-di-O-(6′′-O-malonyl)-glucoside
Cyanidin-3-O-(6′′-O-malonyl)-glucoside
Petunidin-3-O-(6′′-O-malonyl)-glucoside
Cyanidin
Cyanidin-3-O-galactoside
Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside
Cyanidin-3-O-(6′′-O-acetyl)-glucoside
Malvidin-3-O-glucoside
Pelargonidin-3-O-monoglucuronide
4-O-Feruloylquinic acid
Apigenin-7-O-glucoside
Chrysoeriol-3-O-glucoside
Tricin-3-O-glucoside
1,3-Dicaffeoylquinic acid
1,4-Dicaffeoylquinic acid
3,4-Dicaffeoylquinic acid
Quercetin-7-O-galactoside
Quercetin-3-O-(6′′-O-malonyl)-glucoside
Quercetin-7-O-glucoside
Quercetin-7-O-glucuronide
Quercetin-7-O-(6′′-O-acetyl)-glucoside
Kaempferide glucuronide
Kaempferol-7-O-glucoside
Kaempferol-7-O-rutinoside
Quercetin-7-O-p-coumaroylglucoside
Isorhamnetin-7-O-neohesperidoside
Kaempferol-7-O-(6′′-O-malonyl)-glucoside
Kaempferol-7-O-glucuronide
Kaempferide-3-O-(6′′-O-malonyl)-glucoside
Kaempferol-3-O-glucuronide
Kaempferol-3-O-glucuronide-7-O-glucoside
Kaempferol-3-O-(6′′-O-malonyl)-glucoside
Kaempferol-3-O-glucoside
Myricetin-7-O-(6′′-O-malonyl)-glucoside
Kaempferol-7-O-neohesperidoside
Kaempferol-7-O-(6′′-O-acetyl)-glucoside
Kaempferol-3-O-(6′′-O-acetyl)-glucoside
Isorhamnetin-7-O-glucoside
Isorhamnetin-7-O-glucuronide
Delphinidin 3,5-di-O-(6-O-malonyl-β-D-glucoside)
Delphinidin 3-O-(6-O-malonyl-β-D-glucoside)-5-O-β-D-glucoside
Delphinidin 3-O-β-D-glucoside-5-O-(6-O-malonyl-β-D-glucoside)
Delphinidin 3,5-di-O-β-D-glucoside
3-O-p-Coumaroyl quinic acid
Cyanidin 3-O-β-(6-O-malonyl)-D-glucopyranoside
Quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucoside
Oxalic acid
Shikimic acid
Quinic acid
Succinic acid
[Source 42]

Table 3. Volatile constituents of Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

Compound
Octane
Octen-3-ol
2-Pentyl furan
(2E, 4E)-Heptadienal
1,8-Cineole
Benzene acetaldehyde
n-Nonanal
Camphor
(2E, 6Z)-Nonadienal
(2E)-Nonen-1-al
n-Decanal
(2E, 4E)-Nonadienal
n-Decanol
(2E, 4Z)-Decadienal
n-Tridecane
(2E, 4E)-Decadienal
β-Elemene
(E)-Caryophyllene
β-Ylangene
Geranyl acetone
(E)-β-Farnesene
allo-Aromadendrene
dehydro-Aromadendrene
β-Ionone
Pentadecane
trans–β-Guaiene
(2E)-Undecanol acetate
Sesquicineole
(2E)-Tridecanol
n-Hexadecane
Tetradecanal
Tetradecanol
2-Pentadecanone
(E)-2-Hexylcinnamaldehyde
Octadecane
n-Nonadecane
(5E, 9E)-Farnesyl acetone
n-Eicosane
n-Octadecanol
n-Heneicosane
[Source 2]

Chicory root benefits

Two clinical studies on chicory roots are reported in the literature, both of which are pilot studies and are therefore considered to be insufficient to support a well-established use indication for chicory root 15. The first study, a phase 1, placebo-controlled, double-blind, dose-escalating trial, was conducted to determine the safety and tolerability of a proprietary bioactive extract of chicory root in patients with osteoarthritis 43. In general, the treatment was well tolerated. Only one patient who was treated with the highest dose of chicory had to discontinue treatment due to an adverse event. The results of the pilot study suggested that a proprietary bioactive extract of chicory root has a potential role in the management of osteoarthritis and merits further investigation. The second pilot study was conducted to assess whether chicory coffee consumption might confer cardiovascular benefits; thus, a clinical intervention was performed with 27 healthy volunteers, who consumed 300 mL chicory coffee daily for one week 44. Depending on the inducer used for the aggregation test, the dietary intervention showed variable effects on platelet aggregation. Whole blood and plasma viscosity were both significantly reduced, along with serum MIF levels, after a week of chicory coffee intake. It was concluded that the full spectrum of the effects was unlikely to be attributed to a single phytochemical; nevertheless, the phenolics (including caffeic acid) are expected to play a substantial role. The study offered an encouraging starting-point to describe the antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory effects of phenolic compounds found in chicory coffee.

In the European Union, there is currently only one registered/authorized herbal medicinal product containing C. intybus as single ingredient whilst there are several combination products on the market 15. The efficacy of herbal medicine Liv-52 consisting of Mandur bhasma, Tamarix gallica, and herbal extracts of Capparis spinosa, C. intybus, Solanum nigrum, Terminalia arjuna, and Achillea millefolium on liver cirrhosis outcomes was compared with the placebo for 6 months in 36 cirrhotic patients. The study concluded that Liv-52 possessed a hepatoprotective effect in cirrhotic patients. This protective effect of Liv-52 can be attributed to the diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and immunomodulating properties of the component herbs 45.

Antimicrobial Activity

The antibacterial activity of the organic acid-rich extract of fresh red chicory (C. intybus var. sylvestre) was tested against periodontopathic bacteria including Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces naeslundii, and Prevotella intermedia. The compounds identified from the active extract include oxalic acid, succinic acid, quinic acid, and shikimic acid. All of the organic acids were found to decrease biofilm formation and adhesion of bacteria to the cells, with different levels of efficacy. These compounds also induced biofilm disruption and detachment of dead cells for the cultured substratum 46. In other reports on the antimicrobial activity of C. intybus, the crude aqueous and organic seed extracts were found to be active against four pathogenic microorganisms, namely, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans, and root extracts had pronounced effects on Bacillus subtilis, S. aureus, Salmonella typhi, Micrococcus luteus, and E. coli 47. The leaf extract of C. intybus also showed a moderate activity against multidrug resistant S. typhi 48. Guaianolides-rich root extracts of C. intybus have shown antifungal properties against anthropophilic fungi Trichophyton tonsurans, T. rubrum, and T. violaceum 49. A sesquiterpenoid phytoalexin cichoralexin isolated from chicory exhibited potent antifungal activity against Pseudomonas cichorii 50.

Anthelmintic Activity

Several studies have been conducted on grazing animals to determine the anthelmintic potential of secondary metabolites present in chicory. Grossly, it has been concluded that the animals grazing on chicory have a higher performance index and lower incidence of gastrointestinal nematode infestations. In the majority of the experiments, the condensed tannins and sesquiterpene lactones were responsible for anthelmintic activity 51. Anthelmintic activity of chicory has also been noticed in the case of lambs wherein the total number of abomasal helminths was found to be lesser in the lambs grazing on this plant 52. The condensed tannin and sesquiterpene-rich extracts of chicory were evaluated for their efficacy against the larvae of deer lungworm, Dictyocaulus viviparous and other gastrointestinal nematode larvae using a larval migration inhibition assay. A dose-dependent decrease in the larval motility was observed in both lungworm and gastrointestinal nematodes 53. The sesquiterpene lactone-rich extracts of C. intybus were also found to inhibit egg hatching of Haemonchus contortus 54.

Antimalarial Activity

The infusion of fresh chicory roots has a history of use as a remedy for malarial fevers in some parts of Afghanistan. The bitter compounds in the plant, namely, lactucin, lactucopicrin, and the guaianolide sesquiterpenes, isolated from aqueous root extracts of chicory were concluded to be the antimalarial components of the plant. Lactucin and lactucopicrin completely inhibited the HB3 clone of strain Honduras-1 of Plasmodium falciparum at concentrations of 10 and 50 μg/mL, respectively 55.

Hepatoprotective Activity

The folkloric use of chicory as a hepatoprotectant has been well documented. It is one of the herbal components of Liv-52, a traditional Indian tonic used widely for hepatoprotection. In a randomized, double-blind clinical trial conducted on cirrhotic patients, Liv-52 medication reduced the serum levels of hepatic enzymes, namely, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. It also reduced the Child-Pugh scores and ascites significantly 45. Another polyherbal formulation, Jigrine, contains the leaves of C. intybus as one of its 14 constituents. Jigrine was evaluated for its hepatoprotective activity against galactosamine-induced hepatopathy in rats. The pretreatment of male Wistar-albino rats with jigrine significantly reduced the levels of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and urea and increased the levels of blood and tissue glutathione. Histopathological examination of the liver revealed that jigrine pretreatment prevented galactosamine toxicity and caused a marked decrease in inflamed cells 56.

The aqueous-methanolic extract of chicory seeds has been investigated for the hepatoprotective activity against acetaminophen and carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in mice. It was found to decrease both the death rate and the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, glutamyl oxaloacetate transaminase, and glutamyl pyruvate transaminase 57. In analogous studies, the antihepatotoxic activity of the alcoholic extract of the seeds and aqueous extracts of the roots and root callus of C. intybus was estimated. The oral administration of these extracts in albino rats led to a marked decrease in the levels of hepatic enzymes. Also, histopathological examination of the liver showed no fat accumulation or necrosis after the treatment 58. Similar studies have established the hepatoprotective effect of esculetin, a phenolic compound, and cichotyboside, a guaianolide sesquiterpene glycoside reported from chicory 59.

Antidiabetic Activity

Chicory has reported antidiabetic activity 60. Based on the traditional use of chicory in diabetes mellitus, the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties of the ethanol extract of the whole plant were investigated. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The ethanol extract, at a dose of 125 mg/Kg body weight, significantly attenuated the serum glucose levels in the oral glucose tolerance test. A marked decrease in the serum triglycerides and cholesterol was also observed in the extract-treated rats. Hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase activity was found to be reduced in extract-treated diabetic rats as compared to untreated diabetic rats 27. The antidiabetic effect of the aqueous seed extract of C. intybus has also been investigated. Early-stage and late-stage diabetes were differently induced in male Wistar albino rats by streptozotocin-niacinamide and streptozotocin alone, respectively. The treatment with chicory extract prevented weight loss in both early-stage and late-stage diabetic rats. Chicory-treated diabetic animals resisted excessive increase in fasting blood sugar (assessed by glucose tolerance test). Grossly, normalization of blood parameters, namely, alanine aminotransferase, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, and glycosylated heamoglobin, was seen in these animals. In early-stage diabetic rats, chicory treatment led to the increase in insulin levels pointing toward the insulin-sensitizing action of chicory 61.

Feeding the diabetic Wistar rats with chicory leaf powder led to a decrease in blood glucose levels to near normal value. Chicory administration also decreased the malondialdehyde (formed by thiobarbituric acid) levels and increased glutathione content. Anticholinesterase activity was restored to near normal, brain lipopolysaccharide decreased, and catalase activity increased 35. Caffeic acid and chlorogenic acid have been described as potential antidiabetic agents by increasing glucose uptake in muscle cells. Both compounds were also able to stimulate insulin secretion from an insulin-secreting cell line and islets of Langerhans. Another compound, chicoric acid, is also a new potential antidiabetic agent exhibiting both insulin-sensitizing and insulin-secreting properties 62.

Gastroprotective Activity

C. intybus has been used in Turkish folklore for its antiulcerogenic potency. The aqueous decoction of C. intybus roots was orally administered to Sprague-Dawley rats 15 minutes before the induction of ulcerogenesis by ethanol. More than 95% inhibition of ulcerogenesis was observed in the test group 63.

Anti-Inflammatory Activity

The inhibition of TNF-α mediated cyclooxygenase (COX) induction by chicory root extracts was investigated in the human colon carcinoma (HT 29) cell line. The ethyl acetate extract inhibited the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in a dose-dependent manner. TNF-α mediated induction of COX-2 expression was also suppressed by the chicory extract 64.

Analgesic Activity

Lactucin, lactucopicrin, and 11β, 13-dihydrolactucin exhibited analgesic action in mice in hot plate and tail-flick tests. In the hot plate test, all three compounds exerted an analgesic effect, with lactucopicrin being the most potent compound. In the tail-flick test, the antinociceptive effects of all the tested compounds (30 mg/kg dose) were comparable to that of ibuprofen (60 mg/kg dose). Lactucin and lactucopicrin were also established to have some sedative action as evident from the decreased spontaneous locomotor activity in mice 65.

Antioxidant Activity

The DPPH radical scavenging activity of a polyphenols-rich fraction of chicory has been investigated 66. The anti- and prooxidant activities of Cichorium species were studied in chemical as well as biological systems. In the case of chemical systems, the antioxidant activity of water-soluble compounds in C. intybus var. silvestre was established in the coupled model of linoleic acid and β-carotene. A pro-oxidant activity of some of the chemical components was recorded initially which notably diminished with time and/or thermal treatment. Thereafter, the antioxidant activity of the raw juice and its fractions persisted. The molecular weight ranges of the antioxidant fractions of raw juice were also identified based on dialysis 67. Two varieties of chicory, namely, C. intybus var. silvestre and C. intybus var. foliosum, have been investigated for their antioxidant (antiradical) activities in two distinct biological systems. The lipid peroxidation assay has been carried out on microsome membranes of rat hepatocytes after the induction of oxidative damage by carbon tetrachloride. The antiradical activity was expressed as the protective activity against lipid peroxidation and calculated as the percentage decrease in hydroperoxide degradation products. The second biological system used was the cultures of S. aureus after treatment with cumene hydroperoxide. The percentage increase of growth of bacteria was noted after the treatment with juices of chicory varieties. In both systems, the juices of chicory varieties showed strong antiradical activities 67.

Red chicory (C. intybus var. silvestre) was studied for its polyphenol content and the antioxidant activity was evaluated by using the synthetic 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) hydrazyl radical and three model reactions catalyzed by pertinent enzymatic sources of reactive oxygen species, namely, xanthine oxidase, myeloperoxidase, and diaphorase. Total phenolics were significantly correlated with the antioxidant activity evaluated with both the synthetic radical and the enzyme-catalyzed reactions. On a molar basis, red chicory phenolics were as efficient as Trolox (reference compound) in scavenging the synthetic radical 68. The aqueous-alcoholic extracts of the aerial parts of C. intybus also inhibited xanthine oxidase enzyme dose dependently 69. In another study, along with DPPH radical scavenging activity, C. intybus also exhibited inhibition of hydrogen peroxide and chelation of ferrous ion 70.

Tumor-Inhibitory Activity

The crude ethanolic chicory roots extract caused a significant inhibition of Ehrlich tumor carcinoma in mice. A 70% increase in the life span was observed with a 500 mg/kg/day intraperitoneal dose of the tested extract 71. The aqueous-alcoholic macerate of the leaves of C. intybus also exerted an antiproliferative effect on amelanotic melanoma C32 cell lines 72. Magnolialide, a 1β-hydroxyeudesmanolide isolated from chicory roots, inhibited several tumor cell lines and induced the differentiation of human leukemia HL-60 and U-937 cells to monocyte or macrophage-like cells 73.

Antiallergic Activity

The aqueous chicory root extract inhibited the mast cell-mediated immediate allergic reactions in vitro as well as in vivo. This extract restrained the systemic anaphylactic reaction in mice in a dose-dependent manner. It also significantly inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylactic reaction caused by anti-dinitrophenyl IgE in rats. Other markers of allergic reaction, namely, plasma histamine levels and histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells, decreased significantly whereas the levels of cAMP increased after the treatment with chicory root extract 74.

Other Pharmacologically Important Activities

The ethanol extract of the roots of chicory is reported to prevent the immunotoxic effects of ethanol in ICR mice. It was noted that body weight gains were markedly decreased in mice administered with ethanol. However, the body weight was not affected when ethanol was coadministered with the ethanol extract of chicory. Similarly, the weights of liver and spleen were not affected when ethanol extract was given along with ethanol. A considerable restoration in the other markers of immunity, namely, hemagglutination titer, plaque forming cells of spleen, secondary IgG antibody production, delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction (in response to subcutaneous administration of sheep red-blood cells to paw), phagocytic activity, number of circulating leucocytes, NK cell activity, cell proliferation, and production of interferon-γ, was registered 75. The immunoactive potential of an aqueous-alcoholic extract of the roots was established by a mitogen proliferation assay and mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR). The extract showed an inhibitory effect on lymphocyte proliferation in the presence of phytohemagglutinin and a stimulatory effect on MLR 76.

Chicoric acid has shown vasorelaxant activity against nor-epinephrine-induced contractions in isolated rat aorta strips 77. A pronounced anticholinesterase activity of the dichloromethane extract of chicory roots was seen in the enzyme assay with Ellman’s reagent. Two sesquiterpene lactones, namely, 8-deoxylactucin and lactucopicrin, also exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of anticholinesterase 78. The methanolic extract displays wound healing effect and β-sitosterol was determined as the active compound responsible for the activity, possibly due to its significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, as well as hyaluronidase and collagenase inhibition 39.

Chicory root side effects

Although chicory has a long history of human use, the high levels of secondary metabolites have shown potential toxicological effects. To evaluate the safety of chicory root extract, Ames test and subchronic toxicity assessment were conducted. The sesquiterpene-rich extract was evaluated for potential mutagenic properties (Ames test) using Salmonella typhimurium strains TA97a, TA98, TA100, and TA1535 and Escherichia coli strain WP2 uvrA. Though cytotoxicity was observed at high extract doses in some strains, mutagenicity was not noted. A 28-day (subchronic) oral toxicity study, conducted in CRL:CD (SD) IGS BR rats, concluded that there was no extract-related mortality or any other signs of toxicological significance 79. The toxicity evaluation of chicory root extracts has also been done by Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition test (Microtox acute toxicity test). This bacterial test measures the decrease in light emission from the marine luminescent bacteria V. fischeri when exposed to organic extracts. The tested extracts showed less than 20% inhibition of bioluminescence and hence were concluded to be safe for human use 72. However, toxicological data on chicory is currently limited; moreover, considering that the Asteraceae family is a known source of allergic problems, a contraindication for hypersensitivity should be included in the safety data 15. Recent studies suggest the use of chicory as a biomonitor for heavy metals 80; considering that chicory enters the food chain, this plant should be used with caution.

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