Hypolipidemic and Antioxidant Effects of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Root and Leaf on Cholesterol-Fed Rabbits

Abstract

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), an oriental herbal medicine, has been shown to favorably affect choleretic, antirheumatic and diuretin properties. Recent reports have indicated that excessive oxidative stress contributes to the development of atherosclerosis-linked metabolic syndrome. The objective of this current study was to investigate the possible hypolipidemic and antioxidative effects of dandelion root and leaf in rabbits fed with a high-cholesterol diet. A group of twenty eight male rabbits was divided into four subgroups; a normal diet group, a high-cholesterol diet group, a high-cholesterol diet with 1% (w/w) dandelion leaf group, and a high-cholesterol diet with 1% (w/w) dandelion root group. After the treatment period, the plasma antioxidant enzymes and lipid profiles were determined. Our results show that treatment with dandelion root and leaf positively changed plasma antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid profiles in cholesterol-fed rabbits, and thus may have potential hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects. Dandelion root and leaf could protect against oxidative stress linked atherosclerosis and decrease the atherogenic index.

The use of medicinal herbs in gynecological and pregnancy-related disorders by Jordanian women: a review of folkloric practice vs. evidence-based pharmacology

“…No negative effects were reported during pregnancy or lactation (Yarnell & Abascal 2009) Anticancer (Sigstedt et al 2008), antidiabetic (Yarnell & Abascal 2009), antifibrotic (Domitrović et al 2010), antioxidative and antiinflammatory activities (González-Castejón et al 2012;San et al 2014); hepatoprotective (Hfaiedh et al 2014), antimicrobial , antifungal (Astafieva et al 2013), antiviral (Han et al 2011) and antidepressant ) effects were reported of T. officinale. Reduction of adipogenesis and lipid accumulation in adipocytes (González-Castejón et al 2014) with hypolipidemic effects in cholesterol fed rabbits (Choi et al 2010) via pancreatic lipase and alpha glucosidase inhibitory activity (Onal et al 2005;Zhang et al 2008) were recognised for T. officinale.…”

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) – potential health benefits

“…Wykazano, że duże spożycie produktów bogatych w cholesterol powoduje stłuszczenie wą-troby oraz sprzyja rozwojowi choroby wieńcowej i miażdżycy (Choi i in., 2010). W skutecznej walce z tymi chorobami może pomóc mniszek.…”

Bioactive Polyphenols and Coumarins from Leaf Derived Callus and in vitro Regenerated Plants of Taraxacum officinale Weber

“…Although, these metabolites do not have any crucial role in the growth and development, but actively participate in the adaptation, survival and acclimatization of plants to the external environment and represent unique source of naturally occurring phytochemicals 1 . Selection of high yielding productive cells and media formulations resulted in biosynthesis of important metabolites [2][3][4] . To meet out the demand of plant derived novel products in herbal market, plant tissue culture has been well recognized as a reliable and sustainable source for consistent production of raw material.…”