Maternal Administration of Cichorium intybus L. Extract Decreases the Plasma Total and Conjugated Bilirubin Level in Rat Neonates

Background: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, a high-incidence disease, arises from an imbalance of bilirubin production and elimination. Neonatal jaundice requires medical attention in the clinic. Finding new therapeutic approaches, besides available strategies such as phototherapy, seems necessary. In traditional beliefs Cichorium intybus could exert hepatoprotective effects. Objectives: In this study we evaluated the effect of administration of hydroalcoholic Cichorium intybus extract to the lactating rats in δ-aminolaevulic acid-induced hyperbilirubinemia in rat neonates. Methods: We injected δ-aminolaevulic acid (i.p, 80 micromolar) three times at the intervals of 4 hours to rat newborns (7 to 10-day-old). Cichorium intybus extract (p.o, 25 and 50 mg/kg) was administered to lactating rats at the time of interval of 2 hours (0 - 10 hours). After neonatal feeding, we assessed the bilirubin plasma levels in 0, 8, 16, and 48 hours. Results: Injection of δ-aminolaevulic acid significantly enhanced the conjugated and total bilirubin concentration in rat newborns. Maternal administration of Cichorium intybus extract at the dose of 25 and 50 mg/kg led to significant reduction of bilirubin plasma levels in neonates after feeding. The dose of 50 mg/kg showed a more potent effect. Conclusions: Taken together, treatment of lactating rats with Cichorium intybus extract exerts protective effects in the δ-aminolaevulic acid-induced hyperbilirubinemia of rat neonates.