Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Mar 03, 2026 1 hour, 41 minutes ago
Medical News: A new scientific discovery is turning an overlooked plant waste into a promising heart-protective ingredient. Researchers have found that the often-discarded leaves and stems of chicory may protect heart cells just as effectively as the prized roots. The findings could reshape how this common plant is used in functional foods and supplements.
Leaf extracts once discarded may protect heart cells as effectively as chicory roots
The study was conducted by scientists from the State Key Laboratory for Quality Ensance and Sustainable Use of Dao-di Herbs, Artemisinin Research Center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences in Beijing; the School of Pharmacy at Henan University in Kaifeng; and the Inner Mongolia Academy of Traditional Chinese and Mongolian Medicine in Hohhot.
Chicory More Than Just a Root Crop
Chicory is widely known for its roots, which are rich in inulin, a dietary fiber commonly added to foods to improve digestion. However, during industrial processing, the aerial parts of the plant, including leaves and stems, are typically discarded.
Researchers wanted to know whether these unused plant parts contain beneficial compounds similar to those in the roots. They focused on natural sugars called polysaccharides, which are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Different Composition but Similar Benefits
The team extracted polysaccharides from both chicory roots and aerial parts using hot water. While the root extract had a higher molecular weight and contained more fructose, the aerial extract showed a more diverse sugar profile. Despite these chemical differences, both extracts demonstrated remarkably similar protective effects.
To test this, scientists used heart-like cells exposed to oxygen and glucose deprivation, followed by reoxygenation. This laboratory model mimics what happens during a heart attack and subsequent restoration of blood flow.
Cells exposed to this stress typically show reduced survival and increased damage markers. However, treatment with either root-derived or leaf-derived polysaccharides significantly improved cell survival. Both extracts lowered levels of key heart injury markers such as CK-MB and cardiac troponin T. They also reduced 8-OHdG, a marker of oxidative DNA damage.
Targeting Harmful Stress Pathways
To understand how the extracts worked, researchers conducted advanced protein and gene analyses. They discovered that both extracts influenced hundreds of proteins and genes linked to oxidative stress and inflammation.
A central finding was the suppression of the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. These pathways are known to drive inflammation and cell damage during heart injury. Laboratory tests confirmed that both extracts reduced activation of key proteins involved in these harmful pathways.
Interestingly, 290 genes were found to be commonly downregulated by both extracts, showing that leaf and root compounds act through very similar biological mechanisms.
This
f="https://www.thailandmedical.news/">Medical News report highlights that despite clear chemical differences, the protective effects converged at the level of cellular stress control.
A Sustainable and Practical Solution
The implications extend beyond laboratory findings. Chicory leaves and stems, previously treated as agricultural waste, may now be considered valuable sources of bioactive compounds. This could reduce waste and increase the economic value of the crop.
However, researchers caution that the findings are based on laboratory cell models. Further animal and human studies are needed to confirm real-world benefits and determine proper dosing.
Conclusion
The study provides strong evidence that chicory aerial parts are not inferior to roots when it comes to protecting heart-like cells from stress-related damage. By reducing oxidative injury and calming inflammation through MAPK and NF-κB pathways, both plant fractions showed nearly identical protective effects. These findings open the door for more sustainable use of the entire chicory plant while encouraging further research into its potential role in cardiovascular health.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/5/2303
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