Anti-hepatotoxic activity of cichotyboside, a sesquiterpene glycoside from the seeds of Cichorium intybus.

The seeds of Cichorium intybus L. (Asteraceae) afforded a new guaianolide sesquiterpene glycoside, cichotyboside, which was characterized as 2alpha, 6beta, 7beta, 15-tetrahydroxy-1 (10), 4 (5)-diene-guaian-9alpha, 12-olide-7-O-beta-caffoyl-15-O-beta-D-glucoside (1) by means of spectral methods. Cichotyboside (1) exhibited a significant anti-hepatotoxic activity against CCl4 induced toxicity in Wistar rats, wherein it reduced the elevated levels of liver enzymes such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) by 52 units/ml; SGPT 38 units/ml; ALKP 24.