Effect of chloroformic extract of Cichorium intybus on liver function tests and serum level of TNF-α in obstructive cholestasis in rat

Liver plays important roles in the production of bile, detoxification, and elimination of foreign material and synthesis of plasma proteins. Obstructive cholestasis is one of the liver disorders that can result in increased concentration of oxidants and inflammatory agents in the liver. In traditional medicine, Cichorium intybus has been used as a liver protectant, anti inflamatory and detoxifying agent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chloroformic extract of Cichorium intybus on liver functional tests and serum level of TNF-α in cholestatic rat model. In this experimental study, male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n= 6) including sham operated, control (Bile Duct Ligation (BDL) + vehicle), and 3 groups with BDL + extract treatments (100, 200, 400 mg/kg/day ip). These groups were treated for seven days and on the eighth day, prothrombin time (PT), serum albumin, alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), were measured by calorimetric and TNF-α was measured by ELISA methods. The results were analyzed by one way ANOVA. The results of the present study showed that the Cichorium extract (100 mg/kg/day) decreased the serum level of direct bilirubin, AST, ALT, and TNF-α significantly compared to the control group (p <0.05). Furthermore, at the higher dose (200 mg/kg/day) PT, ALP, LDH and AST decreased significantly in comparison to the control group (p <0.05), while the serum albumin level increased significantly in the treated animals (p <0.05). In conclusion, we found that, low doses of chloroformic extract of Cichorium intybus protected the liver against obstructive cholestasis induced -injury.