EFFECT OF CHICORY (CICHORIUM INTYBUS L.) LEAVES EXTRACT TO PROTECT CERTAIN LIVER ENZYMES IN MICE AGAINST CARBON TETRACHLORIDE-INDUCED HEPATOTOXICITY

Abstract

Chicory contains dietary inulin and oligofructose compounds which have a beneficial effect on metabolism, as well as polyphenol type derivatives, which may be responsible for the antioxidant properties. The effect of different concentrations of the hydroalcoholic extract of dried powdered leaves of chicory on CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in vivo in mice, has been studied. Thirty-five mice (20-30 g) of age four weeks were randomly divided into 5 groups (seven in each). The mice orally received three different concentrations of chicory leaves extract (CLE) before injection for 3 consecutive days by CCl₄. The study showed that CCl₄ caused elevation in serum GOT, GPT, and ALP activities in mice, but there was no pronounced elevation in total protein and albumin. Pretreatment of mice with 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg/bwt of CLE protected the liver against CCl₄-induced cytotoxicity. CLE significantly (p<0.05) reduced  the elevated level of cholesterol, triglycerides, and significantly increased the levels of HDL in the group of mice pretreated with CLE (150 mg/ kg); 145± 1.3, 243± 1.3, and 34± 1.2 mg/dl, respectively, compared with negative control (185± 1.4, 290± 1.4, and 21± 1.3 mg/dl, respectively). In contrast, serum fasting glucose and magnesium level in mice groups were not significantly different under the same conditions. CLE is potentially a good natural source for antioxidants and natural hepatoprotective as well as beneficial to who is suffering from hypercholesterolemia.