Phenolic Compounds and Immunomodulating Activity of Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) Extract

Introduction: This research aims to determine the immunomodulating activity of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) herb extract and to evaluate the prospects of development of the medicine based on it. Methods: Object of the research was dry chicory extract obtained from herb (aerial part) of a wild plant. The chemical composition of the extract was determined by HPLC-MS method. Its immunomodulating action has been explored in vivo experiments involving intact animals, as well as immunosuppressed animals, treated with azathioprine cytostatic agent. Chicory extract was administered at a dose of 30 mg/kg per os 1 time per day for 14 days. As a reference drug, Immunal (Lec Pharma, Slovenia) was used. Chicory extract action on the state of cell immune component was evaluated in delayed hypersensitivity reaction. The humoral immunity condition was evaluated by the count of antibody-forming cells determined by the local hemolysis method. The state of the macrophage component of the immune response was evaluated in the phagocytosis reaction of peritoneal macrophages in relation to colloid liquid ink particles. Results: Dry chicory extract is capable to reduce the suppressive azathioprine effect on the cell-mediated immune response, antibody response, and phagocytosis with macrophages; it does not change the immunity indicators in intact animals. Conclusion: Dry chicory extract contains phenolic complex of biologically active substances, namely oxycoumarins, hydroxycinnamic acids, and flavonoids. Dry chicory extract is an effective immunocorrecting agent; it should be recommended for further study and application aiming for the prevention and treatment of immunodeficiency states.