Chicory Extract Research Articles

Dried chicory root modifies the activity and expression of porcine hepatic CYP3A but not 2C – Effect of in vitro and in vivo exposure

Hepatic cytochrome P450 expression and activity are dependent on many factors, including dietary ingredients. In the present study, we investigated the in vivo and in vitro effect of chicory root on hepatic CYP3A and 2C in male pigs. Chicory feeding increased the expression of CYP3A29 mRNA but not CYP2C33. Correspondingly, CYP3A activity was increased by chicory feeding, while CYP2C activity was not affected. Additionally, the in vitro effect of chicory extract on the CYP3A activity was investigated. It was shown that CYP3A activity in the microsomes from male pigs was inhibited, but this effect was eliminated by pre-incubation. In both male and female pigs the CYP3A activity was increased in the presence of chicory after pre-incubation. Furthermore, gender-related differences in mRNA expression and activity were observed. CYP3A mRNA expression was greater in female pigs; this was not reflected on activity. For CYP2C, no difference in mRNA expression was observed, while CYP2C activity was greater in female pigs. Surprisingly, the expression of the constitutive androstane receptor, pregnane X receptor and aryl hydrocarbon receptor did not differ with feed or gender. In conclusion, chicory root modifies the expression and activity of CYP3A in vivo and in vitro, while CYP2C is not affected.

Introducing Cichorium Pumilum as a Potential Therapeutical Agent Against Drug-Induced Benign Breast Tumor in Rats

Cichorium Pumilum (chicory) is could be a promising cancer treatment in which a photosensitizing drug concentrates in benign tumor cells and activated by quanta at certain wavelength. Such activated extracts could lead to cell death and tumor ablation. Previous studies have shown that Cichorium Pumilum (chicory) contains photosensitive compounds such as cichoriin, anthocyanins, lactucin, and Lactucopicrin. In the present study, the protective effect of sun light-activated Cichorium against the dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) induced benign breast tumors to female Sprague-Dawley rats was investigated. Chicory's extract has significantly increase P.carbonyl (PC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and decreases the hepatic levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in benign breast tumors-induced group compared to control. It also significantly decrease the number of estrogen receptors ER-positive cells in tumor masses. These results suggest that chicory extracts could be used as herbal photosensitizing agent in treating benign breast tumor in rats.

Functional Foods: Towards Improving Oral Health

Functional Foods: Towards Improving Oral Health

Synthetic and natural polyphenols with antioxidant properties stimulate rumen microbial growth in vitro

This trial compared the effects of two antioxidant phenols, butyl-hydroxyl-toluene (BHT) and a blend of polyphenols extracted from red chicory, on in vitro degradability, gas production (GP), volatile fatty acids, and microbial nitrogen production, using meadow hay and corn grain as fermentation substrates. A batch culture system with automated gas pressure detectors was used. Four replicates of each feed were incubated for 72 h without additive (Control, CTL) or with the addition of low (0.15 mg/g feed) or high (1.5 mg/g feed) dosages of BHT or red chicory. GP curves were fitted to estimate the time at which half of total GP (t1/2) was achieved. The t1/2 values for meadow hay and corn grain were ~16 and 9 h, respectively. A second incubation, conducted using the same experimental design, was stopped at t1/2. Compared with CTL, degradability and GP kinetics were not affected by the two dosages of BHT, except for GP, which increased after 48 h of incubation (P < 0.01). In the second incubation, BHT increased acetate at the expense of butyrate proportion (P < 0.01). Red chicory extract did not influence GP, feed degradability, or volatile fatty acids production in either incubation. Both BHT and red chicory induced a dosage-dependent increase in microbial nitrogen production at t1/2 (P < 0.05), on average from 7.0 to 13.9 mg/g DM. Collectively, our data suggest that increasing dosages of the two additives with antioxidant properties could have induced a shift in the partition of energy, with a higher proportion of nutrients channelled towards microbial protein synthesis.

Effect of Cichorium intybus L. on fatty liver induced by oxytetracycline in albino rats.

Background: Fatty liver is now one of the most common diseases in Egypt. People prefer to use the medicinal plants instead of using chemical compounds because they are cheap and have few side effects compared to chemical compounds.The current investigation was carried out to examine the possible potential therapeutic and protective effects of Cichorium intybus (chicory) against oxytetracyclin-induced fatty liver in an attempt to understand its mechanism of action, which may pave the way for possible therapeutic applications. Material and Methods: Albino rats were divided into two major groups, 15 rats for each. The first group was divided into three sub-groups: a) control, b) fatty liver group; that was injected intraperitonealy with oxytetracycline (120mg/kg) for three consecutive days resulting in steatosis and c) chicory treated group; which was treated with chicory water extract (70 mg/kg) for 30 days after fatty liver induction . All animals were scarified after 33 days of the beginning of the experiment. The second group was divided into three subgroups: a) control, b) fatty liver group; that was injected intraperitonealy with oxytetracycline (120mg/kg) for three consecutive days and c) drug protection group; which received chicory for 15 days before induction of fatty liver, then sacrificed after induction of fatty liver (3 days). Blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. Liver specimens were obtained and fixed in 10% formalin for histological study. Results: Fatty liver groups showed high significant increase in serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, ALAT, ASAT, GGT, LDH, urea, creatinine and A/G ratio while total protein, albumin, globulin and HDL cholesterol were significantly decreased compared to control group. These biochemical changes were accompanied with histopathological alterations in fatty liver tissue. The treatment with chicory ameliorated most of the evaluated biochemical parameters and improved the induced degenerative histopathological changes. The pre-treatment with chicory before the induction of fatty liver gave some protection against factors that experimentally induced fatty liver. Conclusion: Chicory as diet additive is recommend for fatty liver patients or those people who have hyperlipidemic family history.

Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction for herbicidal activity of chicory root extracts

The present study evaluated the herbicidal potential of extracts from chicory ( Cichorium intybus L.) roots on the germination of Echinochloa crusgalli L. Beauv and Amaranthus retroflexus L. Eight ultrasonic assisted-extraction (UAE) conditions were optimized, using an orthogonal matrix design. The extract concentrations that would yield the largest allelopathic effects on the plant species were estimated by a modeling analysis. Our results showed that an alcohol solvent extract of chicory root had significant herbicidal activity which depended on the extract concentrations and the target species. The half-inhibitory concentrations of crude extract of chicory root ranged from 0.5 g l −1 to 40.5 g l −1. At a frequency of 40 kHz, the optimum UAE conditions to produce an extract for use as herbicide against E. crusgalli L. included an ethanol content (Ec) of 50% (v/v), a solvent-to-solid ratio (SR) of 16:1, an ultrasound temperature (UT) of 35 °C, an impregnation time (Imt) of 24 h with two rounds of impregnation (Imr), a sonication period (St) of 120 min with two rounds of sonication (Sr) and an ultrasound input power (P) of 200 W. The optimum conditions to produce an extract for use against A. retroflexus L. included an Ec of 100% (v/v), a SR of 16:1, an UT of 20 °C, an Imt of 48 h with two Imr, a St of 30 min with one Sr and a P of 400 W. The extract had the largest inhibitory effects on the germination index and root growth of both E. crusgalli L. and A. retroflexus L. at concentrations ranging from 30.8 to 33.7 g l −1. At a concentration of 4.2 g l −1, the extract significantly enhanced the shoot growth of A. retroflexus L. Overall, chicory root extract has potential for use as a main ingredient in natural herbicides or for development as a novel plant-derived herbicide.

Evaluation of red chicory extract as a natural antioxidant by pure lipid oxidation and yeast oxidative stress response as model systems.

The search for renewable and abundant sources of antioxidants has recently focused on agricultural byproducts, especially promising due to their natural origins and low costs. In particular, plant raw materials are sources of important compounds such as dietary fiber, carotenoids, tocopherols, and polyphenolics, which are mostly discarded during harvesting and processing. Among these vegetal crops, red chicory is attractive because of the large quantity of its byproducts (residues as leaves and stems); moreover, there is no information on its role as a food and feed ingredient. In this study, red chicory leaf residue was evaluated as a natural substitute for synthetic antioxidants for the food and feed industry. After lyophilization, a red chicory extract (RC) was characterized for its phenolic profile and its oxidative stability as compared to BHT. RC was shown to reduce lipid peroxidation of different oils in the Rancimat test. In addition, the antioxidant property of RC was studied in a model system by evaluating the Saccharomyces cerevisiae response to oxidative stress by means of gene expression. In this analysis, the RC extract, added to the yeast culture prior to oxidative stress induction, exhibited a pleiotropic protective effect on stress responsive genes.

In vitro analysis of the anthelmintic activity of forage chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) sesquiterpene lactones against a predominantly Haemonchus contortus egg population

The anthelmintic activity of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) herbage has been attributed to sesquiterpene lactones. Chicory leaves contain significant amounts of lactucin (LAC), 8-deoxylactucin (DOL), and lactucopicrin (LPIC), but the proportions of these three sesquiterpene lactones vary among forage chicory cultivars. To determine whether the individual compounds differ in anthelmintic activity, we prepared sesquiterpene lactone-enriched extracts from leaves of two forage chicory cultivars, ‘Grasslands Puna’ (Puna) and ‘Forage Feast’, and tested their effects on the hatching of a predominantly Haemonchus contortus egg population. The dominant constituents in the Puna and Forage Feast extracts were DOL and LAC, respectively; LPIC concentrations in the two extracts were similar. Extracts from both cultivars inhibited egg hatching at all concentrations tested (P<0.001), but there were significant differences in egg responses to the two extracts (P<0.001). With Puna, egg hatching decreased sharply in a linear fashion when the combined LAC, DOL, and LPIC concentrations ranged from 0 to 5.0mg/ml. A biphasic effect on egg hatching occurred with the Forage Feast extract. The fraction of eggs that hatched decreased gradually to 65% as the sesquiterpene lactone concentrations increased from 0 to 6.7mg/ml. Treatment with higher concentrations resulted in a sharp decline in egg hatchability. Concentrations of sesquiterpene lactones required for 50% lethality were determined by probit dose–effect analysis to be 2.6mg/ml (95% confidence interval: 2.4–2.8mg/ml) for the Puna extract and 6.4mg/ml (95% confidence interval: 5.9–7.2mg/ml) for the Forage Feast extract (P<0.0001). These concentrations provided 1.3 and 1.5mg/ml of DOL and 0.8 and 3.9mg/ml of LAC for Puna and Forage Feast extracts, respectively. Results suggest that LAC has minimal effect on egg hatching and that DOL or other constituent(s) in the extracts is inhibitory. Quantitative analyses of free sesquiterpene lactones in chicory leaf extracts suggest that Puna may be a better cultivar than Forage Feast for use in bioactive pastures for gastrointestinal parasite control in small ruminants.

Avaliação de inulina e probiótico para frangos de corte

Evaluation of inulin and probiotic for broiler chickens. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of growth promoter additives (prebiotic, probiotic and symbiotic) as an antibiotic replacement on the performance and carcass characteristics (prime cuts, organs and abdominal fat) in diets for broiler chickens 1 to 42 days old. A total of 384 birds were used, one-day-old, on a reused bed. A completely randomized design was used, with four treatments and six replications, namely: PRO - supplementation with probiotic (2 kg t -1 ), ANT - supplementation with antibiotics (flavomycin 10% - 4 ppm and halquinol 60% - 15 ppm), PRE - supplementation with prebiotic (5 kg t -1 ), SIMB - supplementation with probiotic and prebiotic (2 and 5 kg t -1 , respectively). The probiotic used consisted of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus faecium and Bifidobacterium bifidum, and the prebiotic used consisted of inulin (chicory root extract). In the initial phase, the chickens fed diets containing probiotic and symbiotic had higher weight gain and total weight at 21 days. Supplementation with antibiotics in feed provided a lower feed intake at 1 to 21 days old. The growth promoters did not show an effect on the variables of performance, carcass yield and prime cuts studied in the phase from 1 to 42 days of age.

Effects of mushroom and chicory extracts on the physiology and shape of Prevotella intermedia, a periodontopathogenic bacterium.

Contrary to the common assumption that food has a negative impact on oral health, research has shown that several foods contain a number of components with antibacterial and antiplaque activity. These natural compounds may be useful for improving daily oral hygiene. In this study we evaluate the mode of antimicrobial action of fractions of mushroom and red chicory extracts on Prevotella intermedia, a periodontopathogenic bacterium. The minimal inhibitory concentration corresponded to 0.5x compared to the natural food concentration for both extracts. This concentration resulted in a bacteriostatic effect in mushroom extract and in a slightly bactericidal effect in chicory extract. Cell mass continued to increase even after division stopped. As regards macromolecular synthesis, DNA was almost totally inhibited upon addition of either mushroom or chicory extract, and RNA to a lesser extent, while protein synthesis continued. Cell elongation occurred after septum inhibition as documented by scanning electron microscopy and cell measurement. The morphogenetic effects are reminiscent of the mode of action of antibiotics such as quinolones or β-lactams. The discovery of an antibiotic-like mode of action suggests that these extracts can be advantageously employed for daily oral hygiene in formulations of cosmetic products such as mouthwashes and toothpastes.

Plant and fungal food components with potential activity on the development of microbial oral diseases.

This paper reports the content in macronutrients, free sugars, polyphenols, and inorganic ions, known to exert any positive or negative action on microbial oral disease such as caries and gingivitis, of seven food/beverages (red chicory, mushroom, raspberry, green and black tea, cranberry juice, dark beer). Tea leaves resulted the richest material in all the detected ions, anyway tea beverages resulted the richest just in fluoride. The highest content in zinc was in chicory, raspberry and mushroom. Raspberry is the richest food in strontium and boron, beer in selenium, raspberry and mushroom in copper. Beer, cranberry juice and, especially green and black tea are very rich in polyphenols, confirming these beverages as important sources of such healthy substances. The fractionation, carried out on the basis of the molecular mass (MM), of the water soluble components occurring in raspberry, chicory, and mushroom extracts (which in microbiological assays revealed the highest potential action against oral pathogens), showed that both the high and low MM fractions are active, with the low MM fractions displaying the highest potential action for all the fractionated extracts. Our findings show that more compounds that can play a different active role occur in these foods.

Acid-mediated production of hydroxymethylfurfural from raw plant biomass with high inulin in an ionic liquid

Chicory roots were introduced for the direct synthesis of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a platform chemical using HCl and the ionic liquid, 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([OMIM]Cl). HCl played an important role in the hydrolysis of chicory sugar polymers. The highest inulin conversion (60.6 ± 4.4% dwt) occurred with 0.3 M HCl. Increasing HCl concentration up to 1.5 M did not improve inulin conversion. Negligible inulin hydrolysis was found in the absence of HCl. The highest HMF yield (50.9 ± 5.4% dwt) was obtained in a reaction mixture containing 50% of the reaction solvent ([OMIM]Cl + ethyl acetate) and 50% of the root extract prepared in 0.3 M HCl solution. Increasing the HCl concentration resulted in a decrease in HMF yield. The addition of CrCl 2 catalyst decreased HMF yields by an average of 25%. The highest productivity of HMF was achieved in the reaction mixture containing 50% reaction solvent (an admix of 80% [OMIM]Cl + 20% ethyl acetate) and 50% chicory root extract prepared from 20% (w/v) root biomass concentration.

Investigating the effect of aqueous extract of Chicorium intybus L. leaves on offspring sex ratio in rat.

A traditional belief in Iranian culture indicates that parental consumption of chicory leaves (Chicorium intybus L.) affects the gender of newborns. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aqueous extract of chicory on offspring sex ratio in rat. All rats in experimental groups 1 and 2 were i.p. injected with either 1.0 or 0.7 g/kg body weight (LD50 = 2.244 g/kg) of an aqueous extract of chicory leaves for 30 days at 72 h intervals. The control rats were injected with distilled water in the same manner. After the 8th injection, blood pH, and Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) serum levels, were measured in all groups. On day 30, all the rats were mated within and between groups. The results revealed that in comparison with the control group, there were significant increases (p < 0.01) in Na(+) and K(+) levels, as well as the sex ratio of male to female offspring (10.23%) in experimental group 1. Therefore, it can be concluded that the administration of chicory leaf extract has a significant effect on the sex ratio of the rat offspring.

Hepatoprotective effect of chicory (Chicorium intybus) root extract against orotic acid-induced fatty liver in rats

Effect of chicory root extract (CRE) on the triglyceride metabolism in orotic acid (OA)-fed rats was investigated. Liver weights and hepatic triglyceride concentrations were markedly increased by OA-feeding rats. These results were attributed to the significant increase in the activity of hepatic phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP), diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGAT), and ratelimiting enzymes for triglyceride synthesis. Supplementation of CRE to OA did significantly reduced the hepatic triglyceride concentrations and DGAT activity without affecting PAP activity. Furthermore, OA treatment was significantly decreased plasma triglyceride (TG) and increased hepatic TG concentrations and reduced microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) activity without diminishing MTP mRNA expression in rats. However, hepatic TG concentration was significantly decreased and MTP activity was also reduced without diminishing MTP mRNA expression in rats fed simultaneous with OA and CRE diet. The hepatocytes in the OA-feeding rats contained numerous largely fat droplets, but CRE feeding prevented the OA-induced fat accumulation. Present study demonstrates that CRE reduces the liver TG accumulation by reduced DGAT and MTP activities without diminishing MTP mRNA expression by OA administration.

Biochemical Conservation and Evolution of Germacrene A Oxidase in Asteraceae

Sesquiterpene lactones are characteristic natural products in Asteraceae, which constitutes approximately 8% of all plant species. Despite their physiological and pharmaceutical importance, the biochemistry and evolution of sesquiterpene lactones remain unexplored. Here we show that germacrene A oxidase (GAO), evolutionarily conserved in all major subfamilies of Asteraceae, catalyzes three consecutive oxidations of germacrene A to yield germacrene A acid. Furthermore, it is also capable of oxidizing non-natural substrate amorphadiene. Co-expression of lettuce GAO with germacrene synthase in engineered yeast synthesized aberrant products, costic acids and ilicic acid, in an acidic condition. However, cultivation in a neutral condition allowed the de novo synthesis of a single novel compound that was identified as germacrene A acid by gas and liquid chromatography and NMR analyses. To trace the evolutionary lineage of GAO in Asteraceae, homologous genes were further isolated from the representative species of three major subfamilies of Asteraceae (sunflower, chicory, and costus from Asteroideae, Cichorioideae, and Carduoideae, respectively) and also from the phylogenetically basal species, Barnadesia spinosa, from Barnadesioideae. The recombinant GAOs from these genes clearly showed germacrene A oxidase activities, suggesting that GAO activity is widely conserved in Asteraceae including the basal lineage. All GAOs could catalyze the three-step oxidation of non-natural substrate amorphadiene to artemisinic acid, whereas amorphadiene oxidase diverged from GAO displayed negligible activity for germacrene A oxidation. The observed amorphadiene oxidase activity in GAOs suggests that the catalytic plasticity is embedded in ancestral GAO enzymes that may contribute to the chemical and catalytic diversity in nature.

Gastrointestinal tolerance to an inulin-rich soluble roasted chicory extract after consumption in healthy subjects

Objectives We aimed to assess in healthy subjects 1) the effect of two doses of a new naturally inulin-rich soluble chicory extract (IRSCE) on overall gastrointestinal discomfort after short-term ingestion and 2) the effect on gastrointestinal symptoms of long-term consumption of IRSCE administered at a dose compatible with its future commercial use. Methods First, the effect of IRSCE was assessed on overall gastrointestinal discomfort in a double-blind, crossover study where 18 subjects received in a randomized order a morning coffee drink including 10 g of sucrose alone (control period) or with IRSCE at two doses (8.9 and 14.0 g containing 5.0 and 7.8 g of inulin, respectively) during three consecutive 6-d periods. Second, 35 subjects were followed during a randomized, double-blind protocol where they were asked to take twice a day an instant coffee drink containing IRSCE (8.1 g/d containing inulin 5.0 g/d) or sucrose 8.1 g/d during 4 wk. The effects of the treatment on flatulence, bloating, abdominal pain, stool consistency, and number were recorded. Results In the first study a significant slight increase ( P = 0.05) in overall abdominal discomfort was observed with the morning coffee drink containing 7.8 g of inulin after 1 wk of consumption. In the second study, no significant differences between the IRSCE and placebo groups were evidenced with respect to gastrointestinal symptoms during the consumption period. Conclusion Short- and long-term consumptions of IRSCE, given at a daily dose containing 5 g of inulin, are well tolerated by healthy subjects.

Biochemical and Histopathological Studies on the Water Extracts of Marjoram and Chicory Herbs and Their Mixture In Obese Rats

The effects of water extract of marjoram, chicory or mixture of both on some biological, biochemical and histological factors of hyperlipidemic obese rats were studied. Forty adult female rats were distributed into eight groups, the first one was kept as negative control, while the other seven groups were fed on high fat diet for induction of obesity. One of these groups was kept as positive control while the left 6 groups were orally given daily by stomach tube the 1 ml of water extract of marjoram, chicory or mixture of both at 5% and 10%, for 4 weeks. Results showed that isoflavones content in chicory water extract was higher than that of marjoram water extract. Body weight gain was markedly lower especially in the chicory and in mixture of marjoram and chicory groups (5% and 10%) compared to high fat diet control group. Oral administration of marjoram, chicory or their mixture water extracts at 5% and 10% lowered concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, VLDL-c and decreased activity of AST and ALT enzymes. Furthermore, all extracts caused significant increase in HDL-c and T3 hormone concentrations except marjoram groups. Histopathological examination showed amelioration of histopathological lesions seen in liver of obese rats received the water extract of chicory or mixture of both. This study recommends that intake of water extract the mixture of marjoram and chicory especially at 10% because it may be useful for treating obesity accompanied by hyperlipidemia.

Effects of water extracts from chicory and BHT on the in vitro rumen degradation of feeds

Effects of Butyl-Hydroxyl-Toluene (BHT) and of Red Chicory Extract (RCE) on kinetics of gas production (GP) and rumen degradability values (OMd, NDFd and in vitro true OM degradability - IVTOMD) of two feeds (meadow hay and corn meal) were evaluated using an in vitro automatic batch system. For each feed 2 increasing dosages (0.15 and 1.5 mg/g of feed) of BHT and RCE and a Control (C) were tested in 4 replications and 2 incubations. First incubation lasted 72h, the 2nd one was stopped at the times on which half of GP was produced (t½), which were 9 and 16 h for corn and hay, respectively. From the supernatants of the 2nd incubation, VFA, NH3, N content of the residual NDF were analysed and the microbial N balance was computed. The 2 feeds significantly affected rumen fermentation parameters; BHT significantly increased asymptotic GP, t½ and IVTOMD (P<0.01), decreased the proportion of butyrate (P<0.01) but did not affect microbial N balance; RCE did not influence any of the parameters measured with respect to C, except for a significant increase of the estimated N available for microbes at the higher dosage.

Hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives occurring in Cichorium endivia vegetables

The hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives found in Chicorium endivia var. crispum and var. latifolium polyphenolic extracts were detected and characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with photodiode array detector (DAD) and electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). The method provides data (molecular weight and diagnostic fragment ions) on the molecular structure of compounds. The combined approach enabled identification of four hydroxycinnamic derivatives in each chicory extract; three derivatives (5- O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,4-di- O-caffeoylquinic acid, and 5- O-feruloylquinic acid) were found in both chicories, while 3,5-di- O-caffeoylquinic acid was typical of var. crispum and cis-caftaric acid of var. latifolium.

Anti-inflammatory Effects of a Sesquiterpene Lactone Extract from Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) Roots

A chicory root extract rich in sesquiterpene lactones significantly reduced inflammation in two animal models. In a rat paw edema model, chicory extract at 50 and 100 mg/kg significantly reduced inflammation by 58 and 76%, respectively, 24 h after carrageenan injection. In a mouse collagen induced arthritis model, chicory extract (200 mg/kg) reduced paw edema by 71% while the extract was being administered, and 31% 48 h after extract administration was discontinued. Two possible modes of action were investigated, pro-inflammatory gene expression and nitric oxide production by LPS-elicited macrophages. Chicory root extract down-regulated COX-2, TNF-α, IL1β, and iNOS expression and reduced nitric oxide production in a dose dependant manner. Several compounds were isolated from the chicory extract and tested in vitro to confirm activity. Dihydrolactucopicrin and 8-deoxylactucin showed particularly high nitric oxide inhibitory activity (IC50 = 13 μM for both). Dihydrolactucopicrin also was shown to down-regulate pro-inflammatory gene expression. These data demonstrate that chicory extracts rich in sesquiterpene lactones have potent anti-inflammatory activity with potential therapeutic use.