Physiopathological and Toxicological Evaluation of the Ameliorative Effects of Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) against Acrylamide-Induced Hepatic Oxidative Stress and Liver Enzyme Alterations in Rats

Abstract

Acrylamide (ACR), which is a food contaminant and is probable to cause cancer in humans, exerts its action through oxidative stress in the liver. The study began with the extraction of leaf chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) in order to check its efficacy against ACR-induced oxidative stress in the liver and further changes in the liver enzymes and histopathological injury. Forty-eight adult male Wistar rats were assigned into six groups (n=8). The experimental groups were: negative control (vehicle), ACR only (20 mg/kg/day), chicory only (500 mg/kg/day), ACR + chicory (100 mg/kg/day), ACR + chicory (500 mg/kg/day), and ACR + silymarin (100 mg/kg/day) as the reference group. Each treatment was administered orally for 28 days. The first two treatments were taken for 7 days before the commencement of ACR (from day 8 to day 28). One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test were the statistical methods used. ACR was found to increase MDA, ALT, AST, and ALP but reduce GSH and SOD (p < 0.001), and these results were also validated histologically in the form of coagulative necrosis and hemorrhage. Chicory co-administration decreased such changes in a dose-dependent way (100 against 500 mg/kg; p < 0.001 for each parameter). The 500 mg/kg dose had no impact on any parameter compared to silymarin (p = 0.818–0.986), but MDA, GSH, SOD, AST, and ALP in this group were still significantly different from control. Chicory administered by itself did not influence any parameter (p ≥ 0.76 vs. control) and kept liver histology predominantly normal. Thus, it can be suggested that chicory extract alleviates ACR-induced liver damage in rats, presumably due to limiting oxidative stress, although the results have to be verified in long-term studies with a standardised and characterized extract.