How "Hairy" Roots from Chicory Could Transform Medicine
Imagine a future where potent medicines for combating inflammation and oxidative stress don't come from synthetic chemical factories, but are instead grown in laboratories by the very roots of unassuming plants.
This is not science fiction, but the reality being shaped by Doctor of Biological Sciences and academician M.P. Lisovyi and his pioneering work with a remarkable biotechnological innovation: "hairy" root cultures.
Celebrating the distinguished career of M.P. Lisovyi and his contributions to plant biotechnology.
As we celebrate the 70th birthday of this distinguished scientist, we explore how his research into the common chicory plant (Cichorium intybus L.) is unlocking nature's pharmacy in unprecedented ways. Lisovyi's work represents a brilliant convergence of traditional botanical knowledge and cutting-edge genetic technology, offering sustainable solutions for producing valuable compounds that could lead to new treatments for human diseases accompanied by oxidative stress and inflammation 1 .
At the heart of Lisovyi's innovative approach lies a fascinating biological phenomenon. "Hairy" roots are not merely fuzzy-looking plant roots; they are transgenic root cultures created through precise genetic engineering.
This process involves using Agrobacterium rhizogenes, a naturally occurring soil bacterium that can transfer a segment of its own DNA into a plant's genome. This transferred DNA contains rol genes that fundamentally alter the plant's growth patterns, causing the formation of roots that grow rapidly, branch excessively, and—most importantly—produce dramatically higher levels of valuable secondary metabolites than normal roots 3 .
The choice of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) as the focus of this research is particularly insightful. Chicory has a long history in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is renowned for its therapeutic properties, including benefits for liver health, anti-inflammatory effects, and potential for managing metabolic disorders like hyperuricemia 4 .
Modern scientific investigation has confirmed that chicory contains a diverse array of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, inulin, and sesquiterpene lactones, which contribute to its medicinal value 3 .
This biotechnology addresses a critical challenge in medicinal plant research: how to obtain consistent, sustainable supplies of bioactive compounds without depleting natural plant populations or being subject to environmental variations. Traditional cultivation of medicinal plants can be unpredictable, season-dependent, and vulnerable to disease, pests, and climate fluctuations. Lisovyi's work with "hairy" root cultures offers a controlled, efficient alternative that could revolutionize how we produce plant-based medicines.
By applying "hairy" root technology to chicory, Lisovyi and his team have created a powerful biofortification system—essentially "supercharging" the plant's natural ability to produce these valuable compounds. The transgenic chicory root clones, maintained for over a decade in the Laboratory of Adaptational Biotechnology, represent a stable and renewable resource for pharmaceutical research and development 3 .
One of Lisovyi's crucial experiments aimed to comprehensively determine the bioactive profile of various extracts from Cichorium intybus L. "hairy" roots. The research followed a meticulous, multi-stage process:
The researchers prepared both aqueous (water) and ethanolic (70% ethanol) extracts from the dried "hairy" roots to compare their efficiency in extracting different types of bioactive compounds 3 .
The team measured the total flavonoid content using aluminum chloride method and evaluated the antioxidant activity through DPPH radical scavenging assays and reducing power tests 3 .
The most detailed analysis employed Liquid Chromatography with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (LC-HRMS), a sophisticated technique that allows for the precise identification and quantification of numerous compounds in a complex mixture without the need for prior separation and purification 3 .
To assess anti-inflammatory potential, the researchers tested the extracts' ability to inhibit soybean 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX), a key enzyme involved in inflammatory processes 3 .
The experimental results revealed that the "hairy" roots of chicory are remarkably rich in diverse polyphenolic compounds, with the ethanolic extract proving particularly effective. The LC-HRMS analysis identified an impressive 33 different polyphenols in the extracts, with some appearing in substantial concentrations 3 .
| Compound Name | Type | Concentration (mg/g) | Known Biological Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caffeic Acid | Phenolic acid | 7.001 ± 0.068 | Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory |
| Gallic Acid | Phenolic acid | 6.103 ± 0.008 | Antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-cancer |
| Rutin | Flavonoid glycoside | 6.710 ± 0.052 | Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, venotonic |
| Apigenin | Flavonoid | Quantified | Anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, neuroprotective |
| Quercetin | Flavonoid | Quantified | Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral |
| Kaempferol | Flavonoid | Quantified | Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective |
The total flavonoid content in the ethanolic extract reached 121.3 mg/g (expressed as rutin equivalents), which was approximately twice as high as the content in the aqueous extract 3 .
The antioxidant activity, measured by the extract's ability to scavenge stable DPPH radicals, showed that the ethanol extract was significantly more potent, with a lower EC₅₀ value indicating higher efficiency 3 .
Perhaps most notably, the enzyme inhibition studies revealed that the ethanolic extract acts as an effective inhibitor of soybean 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX), a key enzyme involved in inflammatory processes, with an IC₅₀ of 84.13 ± 7.22 μM, working through a mixed inhibition mechanism 3 .
The sophisticated research conducted by Lisovyi and his team relied on a range of specialized reagents and materials. The table below details some of the key components of their scientific toolkit and their specific functions in the experimental processes.
| Reagent/Material | Function in Research |
|---|---|
| Agrobacterium rhizogenes (A4 strain) | Soil bacterium used for genetic transformation; transfers rol genes to plant cells to induce "hairy" root formation 3 . |
| Murashige and Skoog (MS) Nutrient Medium | Standardized plant growth medium containing essential minerals, vitamins, and sugars; provides nutrients for maintaining "hairy" root cultures in laboratory conditions 3 . |
| LC-HRMS (Liquid Chromatography-High Resolution Mass Spectrometry) | Advanced analytical technique for separating, identifying, and precisely quantifying numerous compounds in complex plant extracts 3 . |
| DPPH (1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) | Stable free radical compound used in spectrophotometric assays to evaluate the antioxidant potential of plant extracts 3 . |
| 15-Lipoxygenase (15-LOX) | Enzyme used in inhibition studies to assess the anti-inflammatory activity of plant extracts by measuring their ability to block the enzyme's activity 3 . |
| Phenolic Acid Standards (Gallic, Caffeic) | Pure reference compounds used for calibration and accurate quantification of these specific bioactive molecules in plant extracts 3 . |
| Flavonoid Standards (Rutin, Apigenin, Quercetin) | Pure reference compounds essential for identifying and measuring the concentration of specific flavonoids in analytical procedures 3 . |
Using Agrobacterium rhizogenes to transfer DNA and induce "hairy" root formation in chicory plants.
Comparing aqueous and ethanolic extraction techniques to optimize compound recovery from root cultures.
Employing LC-HRMS for precise identification and quantification of bioactive compounds.
The implications of Lisovyi's work extend far beyond laboratory findings. The broad spectrum of pharmacological activities predicted for the key flavonoids identified in the chicory "hairy" root extract—including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, and anticarcinogenic properties—suggests enormous potential for developing novel herbal pharmaceuticals 3 .
These extracts could form the basis of new treatments for human diseases accompanied by oxidative stress and inflammation, which play a central role in conditions ranging from arthritis and cardiovascular diseases to neurodegenerative disorders and even the severe inflammation associated with COVID-19.
Complementary research highlighted in the search results confirms that chicory has demonstrated significant effects on hyperuricemia (HUA), a metabolic disorder characterized by elevated serum uric acid levels.
Studies indicate that chicory enhances intestinal uric acid excretion by modulating gut microbiota and increasing levels of butyrate, a beneficial short-chain fatty acid that activates the PPARγ-ABCG2 pathway—a crucial mechanism for uric acid transport 4 . This aligns beautifully with Lisovyi's work, suggesting that the bioactive compounds produced in enhanced quantities by the "hairy" roots may contribute to these systemic therapeutic effects.
This research exemplifies how plant biotechnology can contribute to more sustainable and reliable production of medicinal compounds, reducing the need for large-scale cultivation and harvesting of wild plants, and ensuring consistent quality and supply of bioactive ingredients for pharmaceutical applications.
As we celebrate the 70th birthday of Doctor of Biological Sciences and academician M.P. Lisovyi, we honor a career dedicated to harnessing nature's ingenuity through scientific innovation.
His work with chicory "hairy" roots represents a perfect marriage of traditional herbal medicine and cutting-edge biotechnology, creating powerful tools to address some of medicine's most persistent challenges. By dramatically enhancing the production of valuable bioactive compounds and systematically documenting their therapeutic potential, Lisovyi has laid the foundation for a new generation of plant-based pharmaceuticals.
The "hairy" root technology that Lisovyi has helped pioneer is more than a laboratory curiosity—it is a promising gateway to sustainable medicine production and a testament to the enduring value of botanical research. As scientific interest in plant-derived medicines continues to grow alongside appreciation for sustainable technologies, Lisovyi's contributions will undoubtedly inspire future generations of scientists to continue exploring the rich pharmacological potential hidden within the plant kingdom.