Résumé:
Cichorium spinosum L. is a plant known for its antioxidant, anti-diabetic, detoxifying
properties, which has given it an important place in traditional medicine and which is currently
arousing real interest in new therapeutic formulations. The objective of this study is to evaluate
in vivo the anti-inflammatory activity of the hydroethanol extract of C. spinosum. An
experimental model was supported, determining the acute inflammation induced by a phlogistic
agent. Beforehand, a toxicity test was performed, in order to explore the risks related to the
toxicity of the studied sample. Mice were divided into five groups; the inflammation control
group (Ti), groups treated with the hydroethanol extract of C. spinosum at 50, 150 and 250
mg/kg body weight (CSD1, CSD2 and CDD3 respectively) and the standard group treated with
diclofenac at 50mg/kg. One hour after gastric gavage administration of the different samples,
all animals received a single-dose intra-articular injection of 0.1 ml of the 1% carrageenan
solution at the sub-plantar region. Inflammatory edema was assessed for each mouse by
measuring the paw diameter before and after injection of the phlogistic agent at 1-hour intervals
for 6 hours. The experiment was terminated by a histological study of the paw tissue. The results
demonstrated a highly significant (P≤0.001) attenuation of edema in the second phase of
inflammation in the CSD2 and CSD3 groups compared with the Ti group. Furthermore, this
anti-inflammatory effect was significantly marked at the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th hour compared with
the STD group. Histology complemented the macroscopic findings, endorsing the antiinflammatory
action of C. spinosum extract at 250mg/kg. Indeed, the CSD3 group manifested
a regular microscopic appearance, without alterations or damage resulting from carrageenaninduced
acute inflammation, which clearly evoked a physiological profile. In conclusion, this
study suggests that the hydroethanol extract of Cichorium spinosum L. has an antiinflammatory
effect, probably conferred by its phytochemical components. In order to elaborate
new pharmacological substances, it would be interesting to explore the bioactive molecules
contained in the extract of C. spinosum and understand their mechanism of action in the antiinflammatory
process.
