In vitro and ex vivo anti-and prooxidant components of Cichorium intybus.

The water soluble antioxidant properties of Cichorium intybus var. silvestre, whose production zone is around Chioggia, were investigated. Vegetable juices were obtained by centrigation and filtration at 2°C; filtration at 25°C and stored for 3 h; boiled for 30min at 102°C, and then analysed. The antioxidant properties were evaluated in vitro as antioxidant activity (AA) (model system beta carotene-linoleic acid) and ex vivo as protective activity (PA) against cell liver rat microsome lipid peroxidation measured as 2-thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS) generated by peroxide degradation. All the vegetable juices showed high but very variable AA and PA. After dialysis and analysis of fractions it was shown that the vegetable contained both biological antioxidant and prooxidant compounds. The prooxidant ha MW<3000, conversely the very active amtioxidants (PA=100%) ha MW>15000. Electrphoretic analysis revealed that the most active fraction was a complex mixture of brown components at MW>300000.