The impact of cichorium intybus L. On GDF-15 level in obese diabetic albino mice as compared with metformin effect.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and obesity comorbidity signify a frequent metabolic disorder, representing a huge public health burden. Metformin, the most used anti-diabetic medication, is found to reduce body weight via growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) signalling pathways. The medicinal herb Cichorium intybus L. (chicory or cichorium) has a promising pharmacological impact on energy homeostasis. On the other hands, little data is available on its role in DM and obesity. Despite its irrefutable effect, its exact mechanism of action has not completely elucidated; the present study evaluated the effect of chicory on DM, antioxidant status, inflammation, and GDF-15 level in comparison with the metformin effect.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty albino mice were grouped as (control, obese diabetic group, metformin-treated, and Cichorium intybus L. -treated group). The study assessed blood glucose, lipid profile, inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and caspase-3. Quantitative RT-PCR assessed GDF-15 and leptin relative mRNA expression.
RESULTS: Cichorium intybus L. has significantly lowered inflammatory, apoptotic markers, and leptin levels compared with the diseased group. Likewise, the plant upregulated GDF-15 and TAC's levels. The study documented a non-significant difference between the Cichorium intybus L. -treated and the metformin-treated groups in all estimated markers.
CONCLUSION: The Cichorium intybus L. is a promising herbal supplement with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and weight reduction effects via affecting GDF-15 signalling pathways. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: GDF-15 has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress and anti-apoptotic effect in DM and obesity via targeting NF-κB mechanisms. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021.