Effects of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Journal Title: Traditional Medicine Research - Year 2020, Vol 5, Issue 6
Abstract
There is a dramatic increase in the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which is slowly turning into a pandemic as well as a major challenge across the world. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is described as a range of liver conditions such as fat accumulation, hepatic steatosis, or end-stage liver disease. Patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are asymptomatic and their mortality is higher than people without nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease has not been clearly determined yet. The “two hits” hypothesis is designed to explain the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, obesity, and chronic inflammation are some of the morbidities involved in the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is an herbaceous perennial, known as chicory. Chicory contains various compounds, such as vitamins, sonchuside A, caffeic acid derivatives, fructo-oligosaccharides, chlorogenic acid, magnolialide, polysaccharides, coumarins, phenolic acids, terpenoids, flavonoids, polyphenol, cichoriosides, ixerisosides, eudesmanolides, inulin, bitter sesquiterpene lactones, and alkaloids. Current research has revealed that chicory supplementation might be effective in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The anti-inflammatory, antihepatotoxic, antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic, antihyperglycemic, and antioxidant properties of chicory provide plausible mechanisms by which chicory may affect the various steps of disease progression and severity. Existing studies have shown that chicory supplementation has beneficial effects on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, but the existence of only one human study and possible side effects of chicory necessitate further studies.
Authors and Affiliations
Samira Faraji,Sevana Daneghian,Mohammad Alizadeh
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