Evaluation of Changes of Factors Related to Liver Function in Serum of Horse by Administration of Cichorium intybus

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a plant that is cultured in some area of Iran, including Khozestan. All of parts of the chicory especially its leave and root have medicinal properties. It is traditionally used for treatment icterus, renal failure, gout and arthritis in human. Important side effects were not reported from this plant. Excretion substances like uric acid are clinically important in some pathological conditions such as urecemia and icterus in horse. However the pharmacological effect of chicory was not evaluated in horses. The present study was conducted for evaluation effect of leave of chicory on changes of factors related to liver function in serum of horse. I n th is study, 8 Arabi an hor ses were selected. They had 1 0-20 years and were clinically in normal conditions. The horses were fed routine diet. The dried leave of chicory was daily added to food of horses at 0.5 g/kg for 15 days. The blood of horses was daily collected before, during and 6 days after chicory administration. The serum was isolated and uric a cid, Alanine T ransferase (ALT), Asp artate Transferase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), conjugated and total billirubin, total protein and albumin concentrations were measured. The mean of these factors were statistically compared. Chicory consumption did not statistically change concentration of above factors. Thus, chicory dose not affect concentration of ALT, AST, ALP, LDH, conjugated and total billirubin, total protein and albumin and uric acid in serum of horse in normal condition; but it may be benefit in pathological conditions.