Effects of Cichorium intybus L. methanol extract on liver enzymes, fertility, and masculinity in Wistar rats

Plants polyphenolics play an important role in reducing the effects of the diseases on the body. Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is one of the natural sources of polyphenols. Chicory leaves contain minerals and glucosides called chicory (sicorin) and its roots contain sugars, inulin, pectin and essential oil. The liver is an essential organ of the body that performs over 500 vital functions. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of consumption on liver enzymes concentration, fertility, and masculinity in rats. Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups. Chicory extract was prepared using Soxhlet method and methanol solvent. The treatment groups received the chicory extract in different amounts and concentrations for 28 days. One group was also considered as the control group. On the 29th day, blood samples were taken from the ventricular area of the heart. To determine the effects of chicory consumption on fertility and masculinity, fertilization was performed naturally in each group and the number of offspring and their gender were determined and compared. The results showed that chicory methanol extract consumption made significant differences between the different treatments compared to the control on LH (in 100 (P<0.01) and 200 (P<0.001) mg.kg-1) and FSH (in 100 (P<0.001) and 200 (P<0.001) mg.kg-1) hormones, number of births (in 100 (P<0.01) and 200 (P<0.01) mg.kg-1) and male offspring (in 100 (P<0.05) and 200 (P<0.01) mg.kg-1), but there was no significant difference in the liver enzymes concentration in different treatments compared to the control.