Background: Anti -oxidant properties of Cichorium Intybus Leaves have been proven in many in-vivo and in-vitro studies. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Cichorium intybus oral capsules in comparison to placebo on liver functional indexes in patients with non-alcoholic Fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Methods: This study was a double-blind clinical trial study in which 40 patients with NAFLD were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The first group received 500 mg of hydroalcoholic extract once a day and healthy life style education for two months and the control group received placebo along with the education in the same way. Liver function tests, fasting blood sugar and lipid profile were measured at baseline and at the end of intervention.
Results: The results of this study showed that ALT (P=0.04) and TG (P=0.04) in patients receiving Cichorium intybus decreased significantly after two months of intervention, but not in the placebo group (P>0.05).
Conclusion: Cichorium intybus seemed to have an effect on improvement of liver functional indexes and it probably prevented the progression of NAFLD.