The Protective Effect of Cichorium intybus L. Hydroalcoholic Extract Against Methotrexate-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rats

Background: Methotrexate as a chemotherapy agent causes oxidative stress in the liver. Chicory (Cichorium intybus), a member of the Asteraceae family, is a well-known herb possessing various biological activities. Objectives: The present study was conducted to assess the protective effect of Cichorium intybus extract against methotrexate-induced oxidative stress in rats. Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. The negative control group was administered 5 mL/kg of normal saline. In the positive control group, normal saline was administered ford days, and a single dose of methotrexate (MTX; 20 mg/kg, i.p) was injected on the 7th day. Groups 3 -5 received Cichorium intybus extract (CIE) at the doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg p.o., respectively, for 11 days, and a single dose of MTX was administered on the 7th day. The animals were sacrificed 24 h after the last injection. Blood samples were withdrawn to measure serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin (TB) levels. Glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were assayed in liver tissues. A portion of the liver tissues was used for histological examination. Results: The results showed a dramatic reduction in the levels of AST, ALT, ALP, GSH, CAT, SOD, and GPx and a significant increase in the levels of TB and MDA by MTX administration. The groups pretreated with CIE showed a significant increase in the levels of AST, ALT, ALP, GSH, CAT, SOD, and GPx and a significant decrease in the levels of TB and MDA at all the doses, but the most significant change was observed at the dose of 400 mg/kg (P < 0.05). Our histological findings confirmed the above-mentioned results. Conclusions: The results revealed that Cichorium intybus has protective effects against the liver tissue damage induced by MTX.