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Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and Inflammation (general): evidence and sources
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
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Taraxacum refers to the genus Taraxacum , which has a long history of use as a medicinal plant and is widely distributed around the world. There are over 2500 species in the genus Taraxacum recorded as medicinal plants in China, Central Asia, Europe, and the Americas. It has traditionally been used for detoxification, diuresis, liver protection, the treatment of various inflammations, antimicrobial properties, and so on. We used the most typically reported Taraxacum officinale as an example and assembled its chemical makeup, including sesquiterpene, triterpene, steroids, flavone, sugar and its derivatives, phenolic acids, fatty acids, and other compounds, which are also the material basis for its pharmacological effects. Pharmacological investigations have revealed that Taraxacum crude extracts and chemical compounds contain antimicrobial infection, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, anti-oxidative, liver protective, and blood sugar and blood lipid management properties. These findings adequately confirm the previously described traditional uses and aid in explaining its therapeutic applications.
Plants belonging to the genus Taraxacum have been used in traditional healthcare to treat infectious diseases including food-borne infections. This review aims to summarize the available information on Taraxacum spp., focusing on plant cultivation, ethnomedicinal uses, bioactive phytochemicals, and antimicrobial properties. Phytochemicals present in Taraxacum spp. include sesquiterpene lactones, such as taraxacin, mongolicumin B, and taraxinic acid derivatives; triterpenoids, such as taraxasterol, taraxerol, and officinatrione; and phenolic derivatives, such as hydroxycinnamic acids (chlorogenic, chicoric, and caffeoyltartaric acids), coumarins (aesculin and cichoriin), lignans (mongolicumin A), and taraxacosides. Aqueous and organic extracts of different plant parts exhibit promising in vitro antimicrobial activity relevant for controlling fungi and Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Therefore, this genus represents a potential source of bioactive phytochemicals with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. However, so far, preclinical evidence for these activities has not been fully substantiated by clinical studies. Indeed, clinical evidence for the activity of Taraxacum bioactive compounds is still scant, at least for infectious diseases, and there is limited information on oral bioavailability, pharmacological activities, and safety of Taraxacum products in humans, though their traditional uses would suggest that these plants are safe.
2 sources supporting Dandelion for Inflammation (general). Includes scientific publications, books, monographs and traditional-use references.
Mechanistic basis
This use is associated with the plant's anti-inflammatory action. Further evidence for that pharmacology:
Taraxacum officinale has been widely used as a folkloric medicine for the treatment of diverse diseases. The dried plant was extracted with 70% ethanol to generate its ethanol extract (TEE). For some experiments, ethyl acetate (EA), n-butanol (BuOH) and aqueous (Aq) fractions were prepared in succession from TEE. TEE showed a scavenging activity in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, a diminishing effect on intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, and an anti-angiogenic activity in the chicken chorioallantoic (CAM) assay. In the carrageenan-induced air pouch model, TEE inhibited production of exudate, and significantly diminished nitric oxide (NO) and leukocyte levels in the exudate. It also possessed an inhibitory effect on acetic acid-induced vascular permeability and caused a dose-dependent inhibition on acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing in mice. Suppressive effects of TEE on the production of NO and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages were also assessed. Among the fractions, the n-butanol fraction (BuOH) was identified to be most effective in the CAM assay. Collectively, Taraxacum officinale contains anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities through its inhibition of NO production and COX-2 expression and/or its antioxidative activity.
Ethnopharmacological relevance Dandelion (Taraxacum spec) is a wild plant that has been used for centuries as a traditional medicine in the relief and treatment of several diseases. This use is due to the presence of sesquiterpenes, saponins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and sugars, among others, found in the organs of the plant. Aim of the study The aim of this work is to provide a current review of developments and trends in research on the Taraxacum genus, with a focus on traditional uses and pharmacological properties. This should shed light on the potential of this plant as an attractive commercial herbal medicine. Materials and methods Documents were collected, analyzed, and classified for information regarding medical, agronomic, genetic, and biological aspects of the Taraxacum species. This process was based on a thorough search of documents indexed by scientific search engines. Results Two important periods of research on Taraxacum have been identified: the first, between 1930 and 1950; and the second, from 1990 to today. During the former, agricultural and genetics research on this plant were, due to the shortage of natural rubber, the focus. In contrast, the main drive in Taraxacum research is now the recovery of bioactives and/or applications in medicine. Pharmacology is the main area in which these plants have been tested, thanks in part to its widely known traditional uses; however, there is less than enthusiastic interest in further human clinical trials. In other areas, Taraxacum sports an enormous list of compounds of industrial interest; and while it is true that only a small amount of these compounds is immediately available in Taraxacum organs and makes it relatively commercially unattractive, only scarce efforts have been made to improve yields. Compounding this issue, most studies of its growth and cultivation have been focused mainly on controlling it as a weed detrimental to certain industrial crops. To wit, in spite of all the research carried out, less than 1% of all the species identified so far (>2500) have been studied (including Taraxacum officinale, Taraxacum coreanum, Taraxacum mongolicum and Taraxacum platycarpum). This is a indication of the little knowledge that we have about this genus so far. Biotechnology (involving genetics, agriculture, and biology) is the most powerful means by which to take advantage of all the medicinal potential of Taraxacum. Great strides have been made in identifying metabolic pathways for synthesizing terpenes, one of the most important compound families in clinical applications. In order to improve yield and performance of the plant in the field, greenhouse cultivation is another aspect taken into account, deriving an increase in recovery of bioactives from Taraxacum organs. Even while considering that only a few species have been studied, their different biochemical and cultivation profiles indicate huge potential for qualitative improvements in composition through genetic engineering, thus directly impacting pharmacological properties. Conclusions Taraxacum is has been traditionally considered a natural remedy, well-inserted into popular knowledge, but with low commercial applicability. Only once the recovery of pure and highly reactive compounds can be pursued at (a qualitatively and quantitatively attractive) economical scale, human clinical trials would be of interest in order to prove their efficacy and safety, positioning Taraxacum as an important commercial source of natural drugs.
The present research investigated the in vivo anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective activities, as well as the antioxidant potential of Taraxacum officinale tincture (TOT), in relation to the polyphenolic composition. Chromatographic and spectrophotometric techniques were used to determine the polyphenolic profile of TOT and the antioxidant activity was preliminarily assessed in vitro by DPPH• and FRAP spectrophotometric methods. The in vivo anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective activities were studied in rat turpentine-induced inflammation and in rat isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction (MI) models. The main polyphenolic compound identified in TOT was cichoric acid. The oxidative stress determinations showed the capacity of the dandelion tincture not only to decrease the total oxidative stress (TOS), the oxidative stress index (OSI), and the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), but also the malondialdehide (MDA), thiols (SH), and nitrites/nitrates (NOx) levels both in inflammation and MI models. In addition, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatin kinase-MB (CK-MB), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) parameters were decreased by the administration of the tincture. The results show that T. officinale could be considered a valuable source of natural compounds with important benefits in pathologies linked to oxidative stress.
Mastitis is an inflammatory disease caused by microbial infection. Chlorogenic acid (CGA), one of the major phenolic acids in Taraxacum officinale, has natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in various cell types; however, the effects of CGA on Lipoteichoic acid (LTA)-induced bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) have not been investigated. In this study, the CGA content in T. officinale was determined by High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). BMECs were infected with LTA to induce the mastitis model. Different concentrations of CGA were administered after establishing the LTA infection. The results showed that the T. officinale contained CGA 1.36 mg/g. CGA significantly reduced the pro-inflammatory gene and protein expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. In addition, CGA downregulated the NO, TLR2, and NF-κB signaling pathways in LTA-infected bovine mammary epithelial cells. Our results indicate that CGA reduced the expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and TLR2 by inhibiting the phosphorylation of proteins in the NF-κB signaling pathways in a dose-dependent manner. This finding suggests that CGA may be a potential agent for the treatment of mastitis in dairy cows.
Abstract Background Liver fibrosis is the main contributor to the chronic liver-associated morbidity and mortality. Purpose The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of whole plant powder of dandelion ( Taraxacum officinale ) on liver fibrosis. Methods Liver fibrosis was induced by the oral administration of 20% carbon tetrachloride (CCL4), twice a week for 8 weeks. Simultaneously, dandelion root extract (500 mg/kg) was daily administered via the same route. Results Dandelion remarkably improved the liver histology as evidenced by histopathological scoring with hematoxylin-eosin staining. Masson staining and hydroxyproline content similarly showed that dandelion decreased collagen deposition. Both mRNA and protein levels of α-smooth muscle actin and collagens 1 and 3 have been decreased after dandelion treatment compared to CCL4 group. Dandelion also downregulated the mRNA expressions of inflammatory factors interleukin-IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, remodeling growth factor-β1, cyclooxygenase-2, and nuclear factor kappa-B and decreased the myeloperoxidase activity. Additionally, the effects of dandelion were associated with the decreased levels of the hepatic oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde and P. carbonyl) and elevation of the activity of superoxide dismutase activity. Dandelion’s effect to alleviate the fibrosis and inflammation induced by CCL4 treatment in the livers and was more pronounced than with silymarin. The total antioxidant study of dandelion extract revealed that dandelion has notable ferric reducing antioxidant power and high total phenolic content. Conclusion Finally, these results suggest that dandelion prevents the progression of hepatic fibrosis induced by CCL4. The dandelion’s antifibrotic effects could be attributed to its ability to scavenge free radicals and to attenuate inflammatory cells activations.
To investigate the efficacy and the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of Taraxacum officinale leaves (TOLs), the effect of a methanol extract and its fractions recovered from TOLs on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced responses was studied in the mouse macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. Cells were pretreated with various concentrations of the methanol extract and its fractions and subsequently incubated with LPS (1 microg/mL). The levels of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin (PG) E(2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases were analyzed using western blotting. The methanol extract and its fractions inhibited LPS-induced production of NO, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and PGE(2) in a dose-dependent manner. The chloroform fraction significantly suppressed production of NO, PGE(2), and two pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-1beta) in a dose-dependent manner with 50% inhibitory concentration values of 66.51, 90.96, 114.76, and 171.06 microg/mL, respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction also inhibited production of the inflammatory molecules. The chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions reduced LPS-induced expressions of iNOS and COX-2 and activation of MAP kinases in a dose-dependent manner. Among the fractions of the methanol extract, the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions exhibited the most effective anti-inflammatory activities. These results show that the anti-inflammatory effects of TOLs are probably due to down-regulation of NO, PGE(2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduced expressions of iNOS and COX-2 via inactivation of the MAP kinase signal pathway.
AIM: Taraxacum officinale (TO) has been frequently used as a remedy for inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TO on cholecystokinin (CCK)-octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis in rats. METHODS: TO at 10 mg/kg was orally administered, followed by 75 microg/kg CCK octapeptide injected subcutaneously three times after 1, 3 and 5 h. This whole procedure was repeated for 5 d. We determined the pancreatic weight/body weight ratio, the levels of pancreatic HSP60 and HSP72, and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Repeated CCK octapeptide treatment resulted in typical laboratory and morphological changes of experimentally-induced pancreatitis. RESULTS: TO significantly decreased the pancreatic weight/body weight ratio in CCK octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis. TO also increased the pancreatic levels of HSP60 and HSP72. Additionally, the secretion of IL-6 and TNF-alpha decreased in the animals treated with TO. CONCLUSION: TO may have a protective effect against CCK octapeptide-induced acute pancreatitis.
Taraxasterol, a pentacyclic-triterpene, was isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Taraxacum officinale. In the present study, we investigated the protective effect of taraxasterol on murine model of endotoxic shock and the mechanism of its action. Mice were treated with 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/kg of taraxasterol prior to a lethal dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Survival of mice was monitored twice a day for 7 days. To further understand the mechanism, the serum levels of inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and mediator nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) as well as histology of lungs were examined. The results showed that taraxasterol significantly improved mouse survival and attenuated tissue injury of the lungs in LPS-induced endotoxemic mice. Further studies revealed that taraxasterol significantly reduced TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, NO and PGE₂ levels in sera from mice with endotoxic shock. These results indicate that taraxasterol has a protective effect on murine endotoxic shock induced by LPS through modulating inflammatory cytokine and mediator secretion. This finding might provide a new strategy for the treatment of endotoxic shock and associated inflammation.
As a long-established medicinal and edible homologous plant, Taraxacum officinale Wigg. is widely distributed in Asia, Europe, and other parts of the world. T. officinale is reported to exert a variety of biological and pharmacological activities, including anticancer, hepatoprotective, and anti-obesity effects. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extracts of T. officinale (A-TOW) by examining the suppression of proinflammatory mediators in LPS-stimulated BV2 and mouse hippocampus. Furthermore, A-TOW also inhibited the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor [Formula: see text]B p65 caused by stimulation with LPS. In addition, A-TOW regulates heme oxygenase (HO)-1 expression through the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in BV2 cells. The effects of A-TOW on the over-expression of proinflammatory mediators were partially reversed by transfection of the cells with HO-1 siRNA. These findings suggest that the potent anti-inflammatory activity of T. officinale, possibly through the regulation of Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-[Formula: see text]B signaling pathway.