Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) Extracts as an alternative of (glibenclamide) on biochemical parameters in Diabetic Rats

Chicory plant (Cichorium intybus L) has been used as a traditional medicinal plant. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemicals contents in Chicory which extracts compared to Amaryl (glibenclamide) drug for anti-diabetic activity on the serum glucose level in streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats. Moreover, fractionation and identification of phenolic and flavonoids compounds in ethanol extract was determined by HPLC, recording catechin as predominant compound. The effect of chicory extract on serum glucose level, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), Asptartate transaminase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) comparing with Amaryl in diabetic rats. Results indicate that Ethanol extract gave the highest phenolics and flavonoids compounds of chicory compared with different other extracts recording 121.33 and 88.26 mg/100g, respectively. The highest antioxidant activities were observed using ethanol and aqueous extracts using DPPH method recording 84.32 and 83.12%, respectively. Results indicate that using chicory extract by 500 mg/kg in diabetic rats caused a decrease in blood glucose levels by 288.41 to 170.37 mg/dl. Also, significant increase in HDL (57.18 mg/dl) and decrease of LDL to 31.81 mg/dl with using 500 mg/kg dose. Moreover, (AST) activity in diabetic rats was significantly decreased in all treatmemt compared with (positive Control. On the other hand, the (ALT) and (ALP) activities significantly decreased from 65.33 to 38.67 and 102.94 to 80.08, respectively with oral administration of chicory extract at (500 mg/kg) in diabetic rats. Generally, chicory plants can be used by diabetic patients to decrease complications of diabetes in reducing serum glucose level.