Kasni (Cichorium intybus Linn.): A Scientific Recap

Nature has been a source of therapeutic agents for thousands of years, and a large number of modern important medications have originally been obtained from natural sources. World Health Organization reported that 75% of the world population still depends on plant-based traditional medications for primary health care. Cichorium intybus, commonly known as chicory, is well known as a coffee substitute and traditionally utilized as home grown solution for various ailments since ancient times. This plant is widely used in folk medicine for treatment of gallstones, appetite loss, gout, jaundice, skin swellings, rheumatism and liver inflammation. It has been shown that it is having hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antiallergic, antimicrobial and many other pharmacological effects. The whole plant of Cichorium contains a number of bioactive medicinally important compounds such as inulin, esculin, oligofructose, cichoric acid, phenolic acids, caffeic acid, caffeoylquinic acid, volatile compounds (monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes), coumarins, lactones, flavonoids etc. However literatures shows that significant number of these constituents has not been fully investigated for their pharmacological potential. This paper provided detailed overview of uses, types, characteristics, pharmacological activities and bioactive constitute of Kasani. The aim of this review paper is to give an overview of Kasni and its socially imperative medicinal uses in Unani perspective on the basis of current scientific studies and evidences.