Taraxacum officinale, Taraxacum campylodes.   Common dandelion  Family: Asteraceae     

The name Dandelion is a corruption of the French dent de leon, meaning “lion’s tooth,” describing the dentate edge of the leaf. The root, when roasted, is used as a coffee substitute or flavor additive, and the fresh young leaves may be used in salads. The flowers are used to make country-style wines.
PART USED: Root. Collected in Autumn    
TASTE: Sweetish ODOR: Slight
ACTIONS
GROUP: Alterative.
1. Bitter tonic.[2]
2. Cholagogue.[1,2] Hepatic.[2]
3. Diuretic.[1,2]
4. Laxative.[1]
5. Antirheumatic.[1]
INDICATIONS
1. Liver and gall bladder disorders generally including cholecystitis,[1,2] and cholelithiasis.[2] Gall-stones.[1] Jaundice.[1]
2. Dyspepsia.[2] Poor digestion with constipation.[2] Atonic dyspepsia with constipation.[1]
3. Oliguria.[1,2] Stones and gravel.[2] Edema.[2]
4. Atherosclerosis.[2] Arteriosclerosis.[2]
5. Diabetes.[2]
6. Muscular rheumatism.[1,2] Gout.[2]
7. Skin disorders generally.[2]
SPECIFIC INDICATIONS: Cholecystitis and dsypepsia.[1]
COMBINATIONS
PREPARATIONS  3X /day
Dried root  2- 8 g,[1,2] or by infusion or decoction.[1,2]
Fluid Extract  1:1  in 30% alcohol  2-8 ml.[1,2] 1:1 in 25% alcohol.[3]
Tincture  1:5 in 45% alcohol  5-10 ml.[1,2]
Juice of fresh root (BPC 1949) 4-8 ml.[1]
PART USED: Leaf  Collected in spring.     
ACTIONS
Similar to Taraxacum root- but weaker.[1]
PREPARATIONS 3X /day
Dried leaf  4-10 g or by infusion.[1,2]
Liquid extract  1:1 in 25% alcohol[3]  4-10 ml.[1,2]
PART USED: Root and leaf
ACTIONS
1. Diuretic, tonic, antirheumatic, mild aperient.[4]
INDICATIONS
1. Kidney and liver disorders.[4]
2. Rheumatism and as a general tonic.[4]
PREPARATIONS
Fluid extract (BPC)1949) , dose: 2-8 ml.[4]
Dandelion juice (BPC1949) 4-8 ml.[4]
ORIGIN: Western Europe- growing in meadows.
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, characterised 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
Similar plants
Hypochaeris radicata- Catsear can be mistaken for Dandelion and has been called False Dandelion.
Catsear has a thinner flower stem which may branch, unlike the true dandelion, in which the flower stem (peduncle) is hollow and unbranched. Dandelion also has much more divided leaves with the tips of the lobes pointing towards the base of the leaf and the flowerheads borne singly at the ends of the long, unbranched, leafless stalks (scapes) arising from the centre of the rosette.

Research
The antiinflammatory activity has been confirmed in animal studies.[1]
The polysaccharides and aqueous extracts have antitumour activity in animals.[2,3]
References
[1] Mascolo, N. et al. (1987) Phytother. Res. 1 (1), 28
[2] Kotobuki Seijaku, K. K. (1981) Pat. Jp 81/10117 Japan
[3] Baba, K. et al. (1981) Yakugaku Zasshi 101 (6), 538

The diuretic effect in human subjects of an extract of Taraxacum officinale folium over a single day.
Clare BA, Conroy RS, Spelman K.
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.
PMID: 19678785 PMCID: PMC3155102 DOI: 10.1089/acm.2008.0152  J Altern Complement Med. 2009 Aug;15(8):929-34. doi: 10.1089/acm.2008.0152. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Anti-inflammatory effect of Taraxacum officinale leaves on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in RAW 264.7 cells.
Koh YJ, Cha DS, Ko JS, Park HJ, Choi HD.
Abstract
To investigate the efficacy and the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of Taraxacum officinale leaves (TOLs), the effect of a methanol extract and its fractions recovered from TOLs on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced responses was studied in the mouse macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. Cells were pretreated with various concentrations of the methanol extract and its fractions and subsequently incubated with LPS (1 microg/mL). The levels of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin (PG) E(2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases were analyzed using western blotting. The methanol extract and its fractions inhibited LPS-induced production of NO, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and PGE(2) in a dose-dependent manner. The chloroform fraction significantly suppressed production of NO, PGE(2), and two pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-1beta) in a dose-dependent manner with 50% inhibitory concentration values of 66.51, 90.96, 114.76, and 171.06 microg/mL, respectively. The ethyl acetate fraction also inhibited production of the inflammatory molecules. The chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions reduced LPS-induced expressions of iNOS and COX-2 and activation of MAP kinases in a dose-dependent manner. Among the fractions of the methanol extract, the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions exhibited the most effective anti-inflammatory activities. These results show that the anti-inflammatory effects of TOLs are probably due to down-regulation of NO, PGE(2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines and reduced expressions of iNOS and COX-2 via inactivation of the MAP kinase signal pathway.
PMID: 20673058 DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2009.1249  
J Med Food. 2010 Aug;13(4):870-8. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2009.1249. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Evaluation of aqueous extracts of Taraxacum officinale on growth and invasion of breast and prostate cancer cells.
Sigstedt SC, Hooten CJ, Callewaert MC, Jenkins AR, Romero AE, Pullin MJ, Kornienko A, Lowrey TK, Slambrouck SV, Steelant WF.
Abstract
Ethnotraditional use of plant-derived natural products plays a significant role in the discovery and development of potential medicinal agents. Plants of the genus Taraxacum, commonly known as dandelions, have a history of use in Chinese, Arabian and Native American traditional medicine, to treat a variety of diseases including cancer. To date, however, very few studies have been reported on the anti-carcinogenic activity of Taraxacum officinale (TO). In the present study, three aqueous extracts were prepared from the mature leaves, flowers and roots, and investigated on tumor progression related processes such as proliferation and invasion. Our results show that the crude extract of dandelion leaf (DLE) decreased the growth of MCF-7/AZ breast cancer cells in an ERK-dependent manner, whereas the aqueous extracts of dandelion flower (DFE) and root (DRE) had no effect on the growth of either cell line. Furthermore, DRE was found to block invasion of MCF-7/AZ breast cancer cells while DLE blocked the invasion of LNCaP prostate cancer cells, into collagen type I. Inhibition of invasion was further evidenced by decreased phosphorylation levels of FAK and src as well as reduced activities of matrix metalloproteinases, MMP-2 and MMP-9. This study provides new scientific data on TO and suggests that TO extracts or individual components present in the extracts may be of value as novel anti-cancer agents.
PMID: 18425335  Int J Oncol. 2008 May;32(5):1085-90. 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 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) flower extract suppresses both reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide and prevents lipid oxidation in vitro.
Hu C, Kitts DD.
Abstract
Flavonoids and coumaric acid derivatives were identified from dandelion flower (Taraxacum officinale). Characteristics of chain-breaking antioxidants, such as extended lag phase and reduced propagation rate, were observed in oxidation of linoleic acid emulsion with the addition of dandelion flower extract (DFE). DFE suppressed both superoxide and hydroxyl radical, while the latter was further distinguished by both site-specific and non-specific hydroxyl radical inhibition. DPPH-radical-scavenging activity and a synergistic effect with alpha-tocopherol were attributed to the reducing activity derived from phenolic content of DFE. A significant (p < 0.05) and concentration-dependent, reduced nitric oxide production from acterial-lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells was observed with the addition of DFE. Moreover, peroxyl-radical-induced intracellular oxidation of RAW264.7 cells was inhibited significantly (p < 0.05) by the addition of DFE over a range of concentrations. These results showed that the DFE possessed marked antioxidant activity in both biological and chemical models. Furthermore, the efficacy of DFE in inhibiting both reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide were attributed to its phenolic content.
PMID: 16121519 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2003.12.012  Phytomedicine. 2005 Aug;12(8):588-97. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root and leaf on cholesterol-fed rabbits.
Choi UK, Lee OH, Yim JH, Cho CW, Rhee YK, Lim SI, Kim YC.
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.
PMID: 20162002 PMCID: PMC2820990 DOI: 10.3390/ijms11010067  Int J Mol Sci. 2010 Jan 6;11(1):67-78. doi: 10.3390/ijms11010067. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Anti-inflammatory activity of Taraxacum officinale.
Jeon HJ, Kang HJ, Jung HJ, Kang YS, Lim CJ, Kim YM, Park EH.
Abstract
Taraxacum officinale has been widely used as a folkloric medicine for the treatment of diverse diseases. The dried plant was extracted with 70% ethanol to generate its ethanol extract (TEE). For some experiments, ethyl acetate (EA), n-butanol (BuOH) and aqueous (Aq) fractions were prepared in succession from TEE. TEE showed a scavenging activity in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, a diminishing effect on intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, and an anti-angiogenic activity in the chicken chorioallantoic (CAM) assay. In the carrageenan-induced air pouch model, TEE inhibited production of exudate, and significantly diminished nitric oxide (NO) and leukocyte levels in the exudate. It also possessed an inhibitory effect on acetic acid-induced vascular permeability and caused a dose-dependent inhibition on acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing in mice. Suppressive effects of TEE on the production of NO and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages were also assessed. Among the fractions, the n-butanol fraction (BuOH) was identified to be most effective in the CAM assay. Collectively, Taraxacum officinale contains anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities through its inhibition of NO production and COX-2 expression and/or its antioxidative activity.
PMID: 17949929 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2007.09.006  J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Jan 4;115(1):82-8. Epub 2007 Sep 15. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The efficacy of dandelion root extract in inducing apoptosis in drug-resistant human melanoma cells.
Chatterjee SJ, Ovadje P, Mousa M, Hamm C, Pandey S.
Abstract
Notoriously chemoresistant melanoma has become the most prevalent form of cancer for the 25-29 North American age demographic. Standard treatment after early detection involves surgical excision (recurrence is possible), and metastatic melanoma is refractory to immuno-, radio-, and most harmful chemotherapies. Various natural compounds have shown efficacy in killing different cancers, albeit not always specifically. In this study, we show that dandelion root extract (DRE) specifically and effectively induces apoptosis in human melanoma cells without inducing toxicity in noncancerous cells. Characteristic apoptotic morphology of nuclear condensation and phosphatidylserine flipping to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane of A375 human melanoma cells was observed within 48 hours. DRE-induced apoptosis activates caspase-8 in A375 cells early on, demonstrating employment of an extrinsic apoptotic pathway to kill A375 cells. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generated from DRE-treated isolated mitochondria indicates that natural compounds in DRE can also directly target mitochondria. Interestingly, the relatively resistant G361 human melanoma cell line responded to DRE when combined with the metabolism interfering antitype II diabetic drug metformin. Therefore, treatment with this common, yet potent extract of natural compounds has proven novel in specifically inducing apoptosis in chemoresistant melanoma, without toxicity to healthy cells.
PMID: 21234313 PMCID: PMC3018636 DOI: 10.1155/2011/129045  Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011;2011:129045. doi: 10.1155/2011/129045. Epub 2010 Dec 30. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Selective induction of apoptosis and autophagy through treatment with dandelion root extract in human pancreatic cancer cells.
Ovadje P, Chochkeh M, Akbari-Asl P, Hamm C, Pandey S.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
Pancreatic cancer has a 100% mortality rate; the aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of dandelion root extract (DRE) in inducing apoptosis and autophagy in aggressive and resistant pancreatic cancer cells.
METHODS:
The effect of DRE was evaluated using WST-1 (4-[3-(4-iodophenyl)-2-(4-nitrophenyl)-2H-5-tetrazolio]-1,3-benzene disulfonate) assay. Apoptotic cell death was confirmed by nuclear condensation by Hoechst staining and externalization of phosphatidylserine to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane by Annexin-V binding assay. Loss of mitochondrial membrane potential was observed using the JC-1 (5,5',6, 6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3' tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide) dye. The induction of autophagy was detected using a monodansylcadaverine assay and this was confirmed by immunofluorescence for light chain 3-II.
RESULTS:
BxPC-3 and PANC-1 pancreatic cells were sensitive to aqueous DRE. This extract induces selective apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Dandelion root extract caused the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential, leading to prodeath autophagy. Normal human fibroblasts were resistant at similar doses.
CONCLUSIONS:
We demonstrate that DRE has the potential to induce apoptosis and autophagy in human pancreatic cancer cells with no significant effect on noncancerous cells. This will provide a basis on which further research in cancer treatment through DRE can be executed.
PMID: 22647733 DOI: 10.1097/MPA.0b013e31824b22a2  Pancreas. 2012 Oct;41(7):1039-47. doi: 10.1097/MPA.0b013e31824b22a2. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Amelioration of oxidative stress by dandelion extract through CYP2E1 suppression against acute liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in sprague-dawley rats
Chung Mu Park, Yeon Suk Cha, Hyun Joo Youn, Chung Won Cho, Young Sun Song
Abstract
The protective effects of common dandelion leaf water extract (DLWE) were investigated by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatitis in Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals were divided into five groups: normal control, DLWE control, CCl4 control, and two DLWE groups (0.5 and 2 g/kg bw). After 1 week of administering corresponding vehicle or DLWE, a single dose of CCl4 (50% CCl4/olive oil; 0.5 mL/kg bw) was administered 24 h before killing in order to produce acute liver injury. The DLWE treatment significantly decreased CCl4-induced hepatic enzyme activities (AST, ALT and LDH) in a dose dependent manner. Also, the obstructed release of TG and cholesterol into the serum was repaired by DLWE administration. Hepatic lipid peroxidation was elevated while the GSH content and antioxidative enzyme activities were reduced in the liver as a result of CCl4 administration, which were counteracted by DLWE administration. Furthermore, the hepatocytotoxic effects of CCl4 were confirmed by significantly elevated Fas and TNF-? mRNA expression levels, but DLWE down-regulated these expressions to the levels of the normal control. Highly up-regulated cytochrome P450 2E1 was also lowered significantly in the DLWE groups. These results indicate that DLWE has a protective effect against CCl4-induced hepatic damage with at least part of its effect being attributable to the attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammatory processes resulting from cytochrome P450 activation by CCl4.
First published: 17 May 2010Full publication history DOI: 10.1002/ptr.3121 View/save citation onlinelibrary.wiley.com