Hepatoprotective Effects of the Cichorium intybus Root Extract against Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury in Experimental Rats

Abstract

The effects of the Cichorium intybus root extract (Cii) on alcohol-induced liver disease were investigated using Chang liver cells and male Sprague Dawley rats. Silymarin, a liver-protective agent, was used as a positive control. In cell experiments, after 24 h of treatment with the extract, no cytotoxicity was noted, and death by alcohol was avoided. Migration of Chang liver cells increased after exposure to the extract at a concentration of 400 μg/mL. In animal experiments, alcohol was injected into 6-week-old rats for 1, 3, and 50 days. Oral administration of the drug was performed 30 min before alcohol administration. The control was treated with distilled water, and the drug groups were administered EtOH (40% EtOH + 2.5 mL/kg), EtOH + Cii L (low concentration, 2 mg/kg), EtOH + Cii H (high concentration, 10 mg/kg), or EtOH + silymarin (100 mg/kg). Increased liver weight was observed in the alcohol group, as were increased blood-alcohol concentration and liver damage indicators (glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvate transaminase (GPT), and triglycerides (TG)), decreased alcoholysis enzymes (ADH and ALDH), and increased CYP2E1. In the Cii treatment group, liver weight, blood-alcohol concentration, liver damage indicators (GOT, GPT, and TG), and CYP2E1 were decreased, while alcoholysis enzymes (ADH and ALDH) were increased. The degree of histopathological liver damage was compared visually and by staining with hematoxylin and eosin and oil red O. These results indicated that ingestion of Cii inhibited alcohol-induced liver damage, indicating Cii as a useful treatment for alcohol-induced liver injury.

Chinese medicine in the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis: Progress and future opportunities

“…It has been reported that platycodon grandiflorum inhibited the activity of SOD and CAT, restrained the production of MDA, alleviated a high accumulation of microvesicular‐type fat in the hepatocyte cytoplasm and prevented alcohol‐induced oxidative stress and acute hepatitis 73 . It was also reported that Cichorium intybus root extract reduced lipid accumulation and alleviated alcohol‐induced liver injury by upregulating alternative alcohol metabolism pathways mediated by ADH and ALDH and inhibiting the levels of GOT, GPT, TG and CYP2E1 74 . Under the stimulation of alcohol, excessive accumulation of fatty acids resulted in activation of lymphocytes, infiltration of macrophages and hepatic inflammation 112 .…”

“… 73 It was also reported that Cichorium intybus root extract reduced lipid accumulation and alleviated alcohol‐induced liver injury by upregulating alternative alcohol metabolism pathways mediated by ADH and ALDH and inhibiting the levels of GOT, GPT, TG and CYP2E1. 74 Under the stimulation of alcohol, excessive accumulation of fatty acids resulted in activation of lymphocytes, infiltration of macrophages and hepatic inflammation. 112 Penthorum chinense Pursh (PCP) reduced oxidative stress, improved inflammation and protected the liver from acute alcohol‐induced hepatitis by activating the Nrf2/HO‐1 pathway and downregulating the expression of CYP2E1 and hepatic TG levels.…”