Hepatoprotective properties of Dandelion: recent update

Abstract

Taraxacum officinalis (Dandelion) have been used as folk medicines in China, India, and Russia for the treatment of chronic liver diseases. This review focuses exclusively on published literature pertaining to the potential use of Taraxacum officinalis or Dandelion for the treatment of various chronic liver diseases. Dandelion has been tested against various drugs and chemical induced chronic liver diseases in experimental animals and came out with promising results. In vitro studies also confirm the hepatoprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of dandelion. The extensive literature survey reveal the fact that Taraxacum officinalis or dandelion to be safe and the available evidence on the mechanisms of action appears promising, there are currently insufficient d ata from well-conducted clinical trials to recommend it use in patients with alcoholic liver chronic liver disease.

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

“…As dandelion is an edible plant, it has been used as traditional herbal medicine in the Arabian zones for the treatment of liver and spleen ailments (Schutz et al, 2006). It has been used as folk medicines in China, India, Russia, Pakistan, and Italy for the treatment of chronic liver diseases (Devaraj, 2016;Martinez et al, 2015). Several health-promoting properties, including diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-oxidative activities, have been attributed to the use different parts of dandelion (Devaraj, 2016;Martinez et al, 2015).…”

Effect of Lion’s Foot (<i>Alchemilla vulgaris</i>) on Liver and Renal Functions in Rats Induced by CCl<sub>4</sub>

“…It is the chief organ where important processes like metabolism and detoxification take place. The entry of these toxicants into the body is principally via the gastrointestinal tract and after absorption; they are transported through the hepatic vein to the liver revealed by [4] and [5].…”

Evidences on Molecules Most Frequently Included in Canine and Feline Complementary Feed to Support Liver Function

“…It is a perennial weed, containing terpenoid and sterol (principally taraxacin and taraxacerin) compounds, equally distributed in the roots, leaves, and flowers. Other terpene/sterol molecules are represented by β-amirin, taraxasterol, and taraxerol, but also free sterols (sitosterin, stigmasterin, and phytosterin) similar to bile [45]. Rubber, resins, tannins, fatty acids, levulose, a galactose polyholoside, arabinose, caffeic acid, p-hydroxyphenylacetic acid, asparagine, tyrosine, carotenoids, phytosterol, flavonoids, amino acids, saponins, and inulin could be also extracted [46].…”

“…Moreover, T. officinale is rich in minerals such as iron, copper, and potassium, as well as vitamins B1, PP, and D, and it contains high concentrations of vitamins A and C than other vegetables [46]. In addition to analgesic, anti-allergic, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, diuretic, hypoglycemic, and prebiotic activities, also hepatoprotective, antifibrotic, antioxidant, antisteatotic, and choleretic effects have been attributed to T. officinale [44,45]. After the consumption of Taraxacum, no toxicity has been reported.…”

“…Attention must be paid in case of administration of roots in presence of obstruction of the bile ducts, as it is contraindicated, and it can only be used under medical supervision in cases of gallstones [46]. Furthermore, although as reported in the paper published by Devaraj in 2016, extensive literature on dandelion indicated the ability of the several extracts to influence the liver function, and most of them have been performed in vitro and in vivo (laboratory animals) models; therefore, attention must be made in transferring results to humans [44,45].…”