Cichorium intybus: Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology

Abstract

The genus Cichorium (Asteraceae) is made up of six species with major geographical presence in Europe and Asia. Cichorium intybus, commonly known as chicory, is well known as a coffee substitute but is also widely used medicinally to treat various ailments ranging from wounds to diabetes. Although this plant has a rich history of use in folklore, many of its constituents have not been explored for their pharmacological potential. Toxicological data on C. intybus is currently limited. This review focuses on the economic and culturally important medicinal uses of C. intybus. Traditional uses, scientific validation, and phytochemical composition are discussed in detail.

Wild edible plants: Nutritional and toxicological characteristics, retrieval strategies and importance for today's society

“…Development of wild plant-based foods and beverages, such as C. intybus-based coffee (Street et al, 2013), as well as functional ingredients to be used as nutraceuticals, preservatives, colorants, sweeteners, or antifungals in new food, pharmaceutical, or cosmeceutical formulations (Barreira et al, 2013;Barroso et al, 2014;Caleja et al, 2016aCaleja et al, , 2016bCaleja et al, , 2015Martins et al, 2014). Some of these natural ingredients (antioxidants, antifungals, colorants and sweeteners) may replace specific artificial food additives used in the industry (Carocho et al, 2015;Martins et al, 2016).…”

Assessment of Antioxidant Activity of Witloof Chicory Herb (Cichorium Intybus L.)

“…Перспективным в этом отношении является многолетнее травянистое растение цикорий обыкновенный (Cichorium intybus L.) семейства Астровых (Asteraceae), который содер-жит различные биологически активные вещества (оксикоричные кислоты, флавоноиды, кумарины, аскорбиновую кислоту, каротиноиды и др. ), прояв-ляющие антиоксидантные свойства [1,4].…”

Increase in insulin sensitivity by the association of chicoric acid and chlorogenic acid contained in a natural chicoric acid extract (NCRAE) of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) for an antidiabetic effect

“…To restore a normal glycemia, alternative therapeutics consisting to use natural compounds extracted from plants are in studies. In traditional medicine, the chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) was widely used to treat diabetes in India and Pakistan (Street et al, 2013). In their review of beneficial plants used in the popular traditional medicine of Italy and Bulgaria, Leporatti and Ivancheva (2003) have reported the traditional use of Cichorium intybus L. decoctions for their hypoglycemic property.…”