This study suggests that chicory extract and chicoric acid may be used as promising therapeutic agents against gout.

PMID: 

Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Oct 4 ;20(19). Epub 2019 Oct 4. PMID: 31590257

Abstract Title: 

L. Extract Suppresses Experimental Gout by Inhibiting the NF-κB and NLRP3 Signaling Pathways.

Abstract: 

BACKGROUND: The production and maturation of interleukin (IL)-1β, regulated by the NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways, lie at the core of gout. This study aimed to evaluate the antigout effect ofL. (also known as chicory) in vivo and in vitro.METHODS: A gout animal model was established with monosodium urate (MSU) crystal injections. Rats were orally administered with chicory extract or colchicine. Levels of ankle edema, inflammatory activity, and IL-1β release were observed. Several essential targets of the NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways were detected. Primary macrophages were isolated to verify the antigout mechanism of chicory extract as well as chicoric acid in vitro.RESULTS: Improvements of swelling degree, inflammatory activity, and histopathological lesion in MSU-injected ankles were observed in the treatment with chicory extract. Further, the chicory extract significantly decreased IL-1β release by suppressing the NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways in gout rats. Similar to the in vivo results, IL-1β release was also inhibited by chicory extract and chicoric acid, a specific effective compound in chicory, through the NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways.CONCLUSION: This study suggests that chicory extract and chicoric acid may be used as promising therapeutic agents against gout by inhibiting the NF-κB and NLRP3 signaling pathways.

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