Evaluation of the liver protective potential of Cichorium intybus seed extract on Acetaminophen and CCl 4-induced damage

Abstract

The hepatoprotective activity of aqueous-methanolic extract of Cichorium intybus seeds was investigated against acetaminophen and CCl(4)-induced hepatic damage. Acetaminophen produced 100% mortality at the dose of 1 g/kg in mice while pretreatment of animals with plant extract (500mg/kg) reduced the death rate to 30%. Acetaminophen at the dose of 640 mg/kg produced liver damage in rats as manifested by the significant (P < 0.01) rise in serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), GOT and GPT to 393 ± 28, 767 ± 215 and 692 ± 191 IU/L (n = 10) respectively, compared to respective control values of 198 ± 15, 76 ± 07 and 39 ± 09. Pretreatment of rats with plant extract (500 mg/kg) significantly lowered (P < 0.01), the respective serum ALP, GOT and GPT levels to 228 ± 16, 68 ± 10 and 41 ± 08. Similarly, a hepatotoxic dose of CCl(4) (1.5 mL/kg; orally) significantly raised (P < 0.01), the serum ALP, GOT and GPT levels to 312 ± 20, 503 ± 98 and 407 ± 109 IU/L (n = 10) respectively, compared to respective control values of 215 ± 16, 79 ± 18 and 49 ± 10. The same dose of plant extract (500 mg/kg) was able to prevent significantly (P < 0.05) the CCl(4)-induced rise in serum enzymes and the estimated values of ALP, GOT and GPT were 222 ± 27, 114 ± 23 and 68 ± 14 respectively. Moreover, it prevented CCl(4)-induced prolongation in pentobarbital sleeping time confirming hepatoprotectivity and validates the folkloric uses of this plant in liver damage.