Dandelion prevents liver fibrosis, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress in rats

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.

Comparative Protective Effect of Nigella sativa Oil and Vitis vinifera Seed Oil in an Experimental Model of Isoproterenol-Induced Acute Myocardial Ischemia in Rats

“…The total antioxidant activity, measured by the DPPH method, was 12,713.42 ± 156.41 mMT/100 g NSO and 1390.65 ± 1.45 mMT/100 g GSO. The results were in the range reported in the literature for both oils [ 25 , 26 , 27 ].…”

Protective Effects of Taraxacum officinale L. (Dandelion) Root Extract in Experimental Acute on Chronic Liver Failure

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Investigation of Chemopreventive and Antiproliferative Potential of Dicliptera roxburghiana

“…Initially a single mutated cell undergoes the promotion stage which results in the production of a tumor bulk of extremely proliferative cells. 1 Further progression of these proliferative cells lead to the development of tumor cells which undergo nonstop division that outstrip their normal counterparts. 2 , 3 A flurry of research data demonstrated the intense need to develop new strategies against these bleak realities and to investigate potential naturally derived candidates with the capability to halt these modifications and ultimately stop carcinogenesis.…”