Contribution à l’étude phytochimique et l’évaluation de l’activité anti-inflammatoire de l'extrait hydroethanolique de Cichorium spinosum L. –étude in vivo-

Abstract

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.