Biological Activities of the Root of Cichorium intybus

Several biological activities of extracts from roots of Cichorium intybus Linne (Compositae) were studied in this paper. The antiinflammatory activity of the methanol extract of this root was investigated against carrageenin induced edema in rat‘s hind paw. Significant inhibitory effects were observed at the dose of 1,000 mg/kg and were compared with aspirin as a control. The hepatoprotective activities of the methanol extract, ethylacetate and butanol fraction were studied on mice whose livers are damaged by $CCl_4$. The serum transaminase activities (ALT, AST) were reduced at the dose of 1,000 mg/kg of the methanol extract, 500 mg/kg of ethylacetate and butanol fraction, respectively. The bile juice secretion was also increased significantly from each fraction. The antidiabetic activity was examined on strepto-zotocin-induced diabetic rats with methanol extract. Methanol extract gave a significant reduction of blood glucose levels in 1 week and 3 weeks.