Phytochemical Characterization and Antioxidant Potential of Cichorium intybus Root Extracts

Cichorium intybus L. is a medicinal plant recognized for its rich phytochemical composition and diverse pharmacological properties. The present study comparatively evaluated the extraction yield, phytochemical composition, and antioxidant potential of aqueous, methanolic, and hydroethanolic (70%) root extracts of C. intybus. The extracts were analyzed for extraction yield, qualitative phytochemical constituents, total flavonoid content (TFC), total phenolic content (TPC), and nitric oxide (NO) radical scavenging activity. The aqueous extract exhibited the highest extraction yield (18.25 ± 0.56%), whereas the hydroethanolic extract showed the broadest phytochemical profile. Quantitative analysis demonstrated that the hydroethanolic extract contained the highest TFC (38.44 ± 0.33 mg QE/100 g DW) and TPC (250.75 ± 0.86 mg GAE/100 g DW). Consistently, this extract exhibited the strongest nitric oxide radical scavenging activity, with the lowest IC₅₀ value (261.83 µg/mL), indicating superior antioxidant potential. These findings suggest that hydroethanolic extraction is an efficient approach for recovering bioactive phytochemicals from C. intybus roots and highlight its potential as a natural source of antioxidant compounds for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.