Literature Review on the Biological Effects of Taraxacum Officinale Plant In Therapy

Abstract

Since human beings have sought in nature, components that can obtain help in therapeutics or even in the cure of diseases. The progress made in the area of ​​science promoted the development of recognized and effective herbal medicines, as well as the search for the population, for less aggressive treatments. The evaluation of the antioxidant activity of plants has been an important issue taking into account its importance on human health, since the natural antioxidants present a reduced health risk, when compared to the synthetic ones that present toxic effect. From the Asteraceae family, of which the plant species Taraxacum officinale, popularly known as dandelion, stands out among the 71 species on the list of the Ministry of Health (RENISUS), scientifically affirmed, to treat liver disorders, inflammations, potential in the anti-bacterial, cytotoxic, antiviral, antiparasitic, antifungal activity, besides studies to verify its anticancer action and of carcinogenic prevention. The acute toxicity of Taraxacum officinale appears to be low, with LD50 values ​​estimated at 36.8g / kg and 28.8g / kg, for the whole plant. The adverse or complex toxic effects for T. officinale have not yet been reported. This review of the literature was elaborated through studies of articles contained in the Scielo, Google Scholar and Pub Med platforms. Through this review the importance of phytotherapy studies for pharmacological purposes was verified, aiming to improve the therapeutics.

Identification of Potential Antioxidant and Hepatoprotective Constituents of Vitex Doniana by Uhplc/+Esi-Qqtof-MS/MS Analysis

“…Antioxidants prevent, protect, and repair free-radical mediated damage [23]. The DCM fraction of V. doniana leaves showed antioxidant activity in this study higher than its BUT fraction when compared with ascorbic acid as well as both the aqueous and ethanol extracts of V. doniana leaves as reported by Agbafor and Nwachukwu [6] suggesting the possibility of synergism in antioxidant property of constituents of extract.…”

Plants of the Spontaneous Flora with Beneficial Action in the Management of Diabetes, Hepatic Disorders, and Cardiovascular Disease

“…This study reviewed the dandelion leaf and root extracts and their benefits in managing diabetes, hepatic, and cardiovascular diseases. The dandelion’s leaves and roots appear to have a more significant anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-microbial action than the dandelion’s flowers [ 48 ].…”

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

“…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].…”

“…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].…”

“…So, the GRAS seals qualification by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the approval of Council of Europe [47,48] for Taraxacum to be used as food. 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].…”