Taraxacum mongolicum.  蒲 公 英 Pú gōng yīng   Dandelion   Family: Asteraceae   
PART USED: Whole plant- harvested
Nature: Cold    FLAVOR: Bitter, sweet pleasant    CHANNEL: Liver, Stomach
FUNCTIONS:
GROUP: Clearing Internal Heat- Neutralizing Toxins
1. Clears fevers and detoxifies.[1,4]
2. Reduces abscesses and dissipates nodules.[4] Breaks up congestion.[1] Stimulates milk flow.[1,4]
3. Strengthens the Stomach.[1]
4. Clears Heat and resolves Dampness.[4]
ACTIONS
INDICATIONS
1. Acute mastitis. Mainly used to treat mammillary gland infections/abcesses and intestinal abscesses.[4] Mastitis.[1] Inadequate milk supply,[1,4] particularly due to Heat.[4] Nipple carbuncles- acute gland infections.[3]
2. Skin- Boils and abscesses.[1] Carbuncle.[4] Abscesses and sores, particularly if they are firm and hard.[4]
3. Damp Heat jaundice.[4] Chronic gastritis. Stomach ache.[1] Enteritis.[3]
4. Painful dysuria.[4]
5. Any Heat disorder, especially Liver Heat with red, swollen and painful eyes:[4] let steam from boiling herb touch eyes.[3]
CONTRAINDICATIONS: Taraxicum mongolicum is a relatively safe herb with an LD50 of 59 g/kg in mice and a record of relatively few side effects.[4] Sometimes causes some heartburn.[4] Overdose can cause mild diarrhea.[4]
PATENT COMBINATIONS
COMBINATIONS
PREPARATIONS: Decoction. Whole plant 9-15 g for each dose.[1] It can be applied externally or taken internally to treat inflammation, swelling and heat poisoning.[3,4]
12-30 g.[2,3,4] Good quality has many green leaves and the root is intact.
HABITAT: Found growing along village outskirts, embankments and damp roadsides.
DESCRIPTION: Perennial herb 25 cm in height. Whole stem contains white milky fluid. Leaves; pronounced midrib, clustered, oblanceolate, apexes mucronate, bases narrowing like petioles, margins irregularly serrated or shallow-parted. Blooms; in spring, flower styles emerge from leaf cluster, with terminal yellow capitate flowers. Fruit; an achene, with slender cylinder extending from apex, characterized by pappus at tip.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Constituents
Research

Ethanolic extract of dandelion (Taraxacum mongolicum) induces estrogenic activity in MCF-7 cells and immature rats.
Oh SM, Kim HR, Park YJ, Lee YH, Chung KH.
Abstract
Plants of the genus Taraxacum, commonly known as dandelions, are used to treat breast cancer in traditional folk medicine. However, their use has mainly been based on empirical findings without sufficient scientific evidence. Therefore, we hypothesized that dandelions would behave as a Selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) and be effective as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the postmenopausal women. In the present study, in vitro assay systems, including cell proliferation assay, reporter gene assay, and RT-PCR to evaluate the mRNA expression of estrogen-related genes (pS2 and progesterone receptor, PR), were performed in human breast cancer cells. Dandelion ethanol extract (DEE) significantly increased cell proliferation and estrogen response element (ERE)-driven luciferase activity. DEE significantly induced the expression of estrogen related genes such as pS2 and PR, which was inhibited by tamoxifen at 1 μmol·L(-1). These results indicated that DEE could induce estrogenic activities mediated by a classical estrogen receptor pathway. In addition, immature rat uterotrophic assay was carried out to identify estrogenic activity of DEE in vivo. The lowest concentration of DEE slightly increased the uterine wet weight, but there was no significant effect with the highest concentration of DEE. The results demonstrate the potential estrogenic activities of DEE, providing scientific evidence supporting their use in traditional medicine.
PMID: 26614455 DOI: 10.1016/S1875-5364(15)30084-4 Chin J Nat Med. 2015 Nov;13(11):808-814. doi: 10.1016/S1875-5364(15)30084-4. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Diuretic Effect in Human Subjects of an Extract of Taraxacum officinale Folium over a Single Day
Bevin A. Clare, M.S, Richard S. Conroy, Ph.D., and Kevin Spelman, Ph.D. (Cand.)corresponding author
Abstract
Background
Taraxacum officinale (L.) Weber (Asteraceae) has been extensively employed as a diuretic in traditional folk medicine and in modern phytotherapy in Europe, Asia, and the Americas without prior clinical trial substantiation.
Objectives
In this pilot study, a high-quality fresh leaf hydroethanolic extract of the medicinal plant T. officinale (dandelion) was ingested by volunteers to investigate whether an increased urinary frequency and volume would result.
Design
Volume of urinary output and fluid intake were recorded by subjects. Baseline values for urinary frequency and excretion ratio (urination volume:fluid intake) were established 2 days prior to dandelion dosing (8 mL TID) and monitored throughout a 1-day dosing period and 24 hours postdosing.
Results
For the entire population (n = 17) there was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the frequency of urination in the 5-hour period after the first dose. There was also a significant (p < 0.001) increase in the excretion ratio in the 5-hour period after the second dose of extract. The third dose failed to change any of the measured parameters.
Conclusions
Based on these first human data, T. officinale ethanolic extract shows promise as a diuretic in humans. Further studies are needed to establish the value of this herb for induction of diuresis in human subjects.
J. Altern Complement Med. 2009 Aug; 15(8): 929–934.
doi: 10.1089/acm.2008.0152
PMCID: PMC3155102
PMID: 19678785 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Organic acid component from Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz alleviates inflammatory injury in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute tracheobronchitis of ICR mice through TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
Yang N, Li C, Tian G, Zhu M, Bu W, Chen J, Hou X, Di L, Jia X, Dong Z, Feng L.
Abstract
Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute tracheobronchitis. Taraxacum mongolicum Hand.-Mazz (TMHM) is a dietic herb for heat-clearing and detoxifying functions as well as swell-reducing and mass-resolving effect in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Studies have shown that its major ingredient organic acid component (OAC) possesses favorable anti-inflammatory activity. However, the protective effect of OAC from TMHM (TMHM-OAC) on inflammatory injury of acute tracheobronchitis and its possible mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, HPLC-DAD was used to analyze the components of TMHM-OAC. Lipopolysaccharide of 1mg/ml was used to induce respiratory inflammation in ICR mice at the dose of 5mg/kg by intratracheally aerosol administration. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect the levels of inflammation factors such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and nitric oxide in serum and supernatant of trachea tissue. Western blotting (WB) and Immunohistochemistry analysis (IHC) were conducted in parallel to determine TNF-α, IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Toll-like receptors 4(TLR4) protein expressions and nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65) phosphorylation. Hematoxylin-Eosin staining (HE) was applied to evaluate pathological lesions of trachea tissue. Experimental results showed that TMHM-OAC significantly reduced the levels of the TNF-α, IL-6 and NO in serum and supernatant of tracheal of LPS-induced ICR mice. The protein expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and iNOS in tracheal tissue were also down-regulated significantly by the treatment of TMHM-OAC. Moreover, TMHM-OAC downregulated phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and protein expression of TLR4. Our results indicated that TMHM-OAC could improve LPS-induced histopathological damage of tracheal tissues through the regulation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and could be beneficial for the treatment of acute tracheobronchitis.
PMID: 26930562 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2016.02.028
Int Immunopharmacol. 2016 May;34:92-100. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2016.02.028. Epub 2016 Feb 28. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Taraxacum mongolicum extract exhibits a protective effect on hepatocytes and an antiviral effect against hepatitis B virus in animal and human cells
Yuan-Yuan Jia Rong-Fa Guan Yi-Hang Wu Xiao-Ping Yu Wen-Yan Lin Yong-Yong Zhang Tao Liu Jun Zhao Shu-Yun Shi Yu Zhao
Published online on: January 29, 2014 https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2014.1925
Abstract
In order to validate the antiviral effect against hepatitis B virus (HBV) of Taraxacum mongolicum (T. mongolicum), the protective effect on hepatocytes, and antiviral properties against duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV) and HBV of T. mongolicum extract (TME) were evaluated in chemically‑injured neonatal rat hepatocytes, DHBV-infected duck fetal hepatocytes and HBV-transfected HepG2.2.15 cells, respectively. The results demonstrated that TME at 50-100 µg/ml improved D-galactosamine (D-GalN), thioacetamide (TAA) and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-injured rat hepatocytes, and produced protection rates of 42.2, 34.6 and 43.8% at 100 µg/ml, respectively. Furthermore, TME at 1-100 µg/ml markedly inhibited DHBV DNA replication. Additionally, TME at 25-100 µg/ml reduced HBsAg and HBeAg levels and produced inhibition rates of 91.39 and 91.72% at 100 µg/ml, respectively. TME markedly inhibited HBV DNA replication at 25-100 µg/ml. The results demonstrate the potent antiviral effect of T. mongolicum against HBV effect. The protective of TME effect on hepatocytes may be achieved by its ability to ameliorate oxidative stress. The antiviral properties of TME may contribute to blocking protein synthesis steps and DNA replication. Furthermore, major components of TME were quantificationally analyzed. These data provide scientific evidence supporting the traditional use of TME in the treatment of hepatitis. spandidos-publications.com

Hypolipidemic activity of Taraxacum mongolicum associated with the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase in human HepG2 cells.
Liu YJ, Shieh PC, Lee JC, Chen FA, Lee CH, Kuo SC, Ho CT, Kuo DH, Huang LJ, Way TD.
This study investigated the hypolipidemic effect and potential mechanisms of T. mongolicum extracts. T. mongolicum was extracted by refluxing three times with water (TM-1), 50% ethanol (TM-2) and 95% ethanol (TM-3). TM-2 contained components with the most effective hypolipidemic potentials in HepG2 cells. Extended administration of TM-2 stimulated a significant reduction in body weight and levels of serum triglyceride LDL-C and total cholesterol in rats. To evaluate the bioactive compounds, we successively fractionated TM-2 with n-hexane (TM-4), dichloromethane (TM-5), ethyl acetate (TM-6), and water (TM-7). TM-4 fraction had the most effective hypolipidemic potential in HepG2 cells, and it decreased the expression of fatty acid synthase (FASN) and inhibited the activity of acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) through the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Linoleic acid, phytol and tetracosanol are bioactive compounds identified from TM-4. These results suggest that T.
mongolicum is expected to be useful for hypolipidemic effects.
DOI: 10.1039/c4fo00183d PMID: 24903219 nlm.life
PubMed Journals: Food Funct Source: PMID: 24903219
Food Funct. 2014 Aug;5(8):1755-62. doi:  10.1039/c4fo00183d. nlm.life

Effect of Methanolic Extract of Dandelion Roots on Cancer Cell Lines and AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway
Gauhar Rehman, Muhammad Hamayun, Amjad Iqbal, Sumera Afzal Khan, Hamayoon Khan, Adeeb Shehzad, Abdul Latif Khan, Anwar Hussain, Ho-Youn Kim, Jamshaid Ahmad, Ayaz Ahmad, Abid Ali1 and In-Jung Lee*
Ethnomedicinal knowledge of plant-derived bioactives could help us in discovering new therapeutic compounds of great potential. Certainly, dandelion has been used in traditional ethno-medicinal systems (i.e., Chinese, Arabian, Indian, and Native American) to treat different types of cancer. Though, dandelion is highly vigorous, but the potential mode of action is still unclear. In the current study, the antiproliferative activity of methanolic extracts of dandelion root (MEDr) on cell viability of HepG2, MCF7, HCT116, and normal Hs27 was investigated. It was observed that MEDr (500 μg/mL) drastically decreased the growth of HepG2 cell line, while the effect on MCF7 and HCT116 cell lines was less pronounced and no effect has been observed in Hs27 cell lines. The MEDr also enhanced the phosphorylation level of AMPK of HepG2 cells, which considered crucial in cancer treatment and other metabolic diseases. The AMPK activation by MEDr noticed in the current study has never been reported previously. The results regarding the number of apoptotic cells (HepG2 cells) were in line with the cell viability test. The current observations clearly demonstrated the potency of MEDr against liver cancer with validation that dandelion could control AMPK and thus cancer in the treated cell lines. Front. Pharmacol., 28 November 2017 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2017.00875 frontiersin.org