Therapeutic and Preventive Effects of Aqueous Extracts of Arctium lappa L. and Cichorium intybus L. against Fatty Liver in Rats

Abstract

Background and objectives: The fatty liver is a reversible form of fat accumulation in the liver tissue. The burden of this disease is increasing worldwide. Researchers have focused on using herbal medicines due to the lack of proper treatment and numerous side effects of existing chemical medicines. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of aqueous extract of Arctium lappa L. (burdock) and Cichorium intybus L. (chicory) on fatty liver in rats fed with a high-fat diet as these plants have been frequently applied in traditional medicine for the treatment of the liver-related diseases. Material and Methods: For this study, 30 Wistar rats weighing 120-220 g were used. The rats were divided into five groups and received 125, 250, 500, and 1000 mL/kg of a mixture of aqueous extracts of burdock and chicory. The biochemical indexes, including aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and etc. were analyzed. Also, for histologic examination liver tissue samples were stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Results: We showed that the aqueous extract reduced the liver macro-vesicles and microvesicles and symptoms of steatosis without any specific liver complications. We also found that 500 and 1000 mL/kg of extract had the most effective therapeutic effect. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study shows that extract of burdock-chicory has the potential to ameliorate fatty liver in rats fed with a high-fat diet. This study provides evidence that burdock-chicory extract could be considered a potential dietary supplement strategy for preventing and treating fatty liver.