Antioxidant Properties of Cichorium intybus L. (Chicory) Extracts and Their Cytotoxic Effects on HepG2 Cells

Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is a biennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. The aim of the study is to reveal the antioxidant capacities and phytochemical profile of the different extracts and to determine the cytotoxic effects of the extracts on liver cancer cell line. In vitro antioxidant activity was determined by using DPPH radical scavenging activity assay and total phenolic (TPC) and ﬂavanoid (TFC) contents were measured spectrophotometrically. The cytotoxic effect of the plant on HepG2 cell line was examined by XTT colorimetric assay. The highest extraction yield was obtained from the flower. The highest total phenol content was obtained from the flower methanol extracts and calculated as 186.3±3.281 µg GAE/mg. In both quercetin and catechin standards, total flavonoid contents of the stem and leaf methanol extracts were found to be significantly higher. The IC50 values of DPPH radical scavenging activities of water and methanolic extracts of the flowers were calculated as 7.5±0.247 mg ml-1 and 3.593±0.1849 mg ml-1, respectively. The IC50 values of the stem extracts on HepG2 cells were calculated as 0.64 mg ml-1 for methanol and 2.44 mg ml-1 for water. The IC50 values of the leaf extracts were calculated as 2.58 mg ml-1 for water and 0.69 mg ml-1 for methanol. As a result, the cytotoxic effects of the methanolic extracts on cell viability were significantly higher than the water extracts of Chicory intybus L. It has been demonstrated that, unlike the root of the plant, which is commonly consumed in the public, the stem, leaves and flowers of the plant should be further examined in terms of biological activities.Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is a biennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. The aim of the study is to reveal the antioxidant capacities and phytochemical profile of the different extracts and to determine the cytotoxic effects of the extracts on liver cancer cell line. In vitro antioxidant activity was determined by using DPPH radical scavenging activity assay and total phenolic (TPC) and ﬂavanoid (TFC) contents were measured spectrophotometrically. The cytotoxic effect of the plant on HepG2 cell line was examined by XTT colorimetric assay. The highest extraction yield was obtained from the flower. The highest total phenol content was obtained from the flower methanol extracts and calculated as 186.3±3.281 µg GAE/mg. In both quercetin and catechin standards, total flavonoid contents of the stem and leaf methanol extracts were found to be significantly higher. The IC50 values of DPPH radical scavenging activities of water and methanolic extracts of the flowers were calculated as 7.5±0.247 mg ml-1 and 3.593±0.1849 mg ml-1, respectively. The IC50 values of the stem extracts on HepG2 cells were calculated as 0.64 mg ml-1 for methanol and 2.44 mg ml-1 for water. The IC50 values of the leaf extracts were calculated as 2.58 mg ml-1 for water and 0.69 mg ml-1 for methanol. As a result, the cytotoxic effects of the methanolic extracts on cell viability were significantly higher than the water extracts of Chicory intybus L. It has been demonstrated that, unlike the root of the plant, which is commonly consumed in the public, the stem, leaves and flowers of the plant should be further examined in terms of biological activities.