Effects of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

摘要

There is a dramatic increase in the prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, which is slowly turning into apandemic as well as a major challenge across the world. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is described as a range ofliver conditions such as fat accumulation, hepatic steatosis, or end-stage liver disease. Patients with nonalcoholicfatty liver disease are asymptomatic and their mortality is higher than people without nonalcoholic fatty liverdisease. 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, oxidativestress, insulin resistance, obesity, and chronic inflammation are some of the morbidities involved in the progressionof 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, andalkaloids. Current research has revealed that chicory supplementation might be effective in the treatment ofnonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The anti-inflammatory, antihepatotoxic, antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic,antihyperglycemic, and antioxidant properties of chicory provide plausible mechanisms by which chicory mayaffect the various steps of disease progression and severity. Existing studies have shown that chicorysupplementation has beneficial effects on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, but the existence of only one humanstudy and possible side effects of chicory necessitate further studies.