THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF CICHORIUM INTYBUS IN LIFESTYLE DISORDERS: A REVIEW

ABSTRACT The genus Cichorium (Asteraceae) is comprised six species, widely cultivated in Europe and Asia. Cichorium intybus (common name- chicory) is used as a coffee substitute. However, its leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots have been customarily utilized as home grown solution for various ailments since ancient times. Although commercialized as coffee substitute, C. intybus is also used in indigenous system of medicine to treat different ailments from wounds to diabetes. Several numbers of chemical constituents of chicory have been identified, and a significant number of these constituents have not been fully investigated for their pharmacological potential. Toxicological information on chicory is also limited. This review targets on the socially imperative medicinal use of chicory in lifestyle disorders. The pharmacological activities of this plant in lifestyle disorders, phytochemical composition (active compounds) isolated from chicory plant with medicinal importance and safety studies are discussed in detail. Keywords: Cichorium intybus, Insulin resistance, Chicory extract, Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.