• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2008

Some studies of dandelion have been carried out on bioactivities, however, no comparative analysis on antioxidant and cytotoxic activities in the Korean dandelion (T. coreanum NAKAI.; KD) and dandelion (T. officinale WEB.) have been reported. In this study, the extracts of KD and dandelion analyzed relative phenolic contents and free radical scavenging, antioxidant enzyme and cytotoxic activities. The extract of Korean dandelion leaves (KDL) exhibited a higher phenolics content ($368{\pm}11.5\;mg/l00\;g$) and a strong free radical scavenging activity ($RC_{50}$value;87.89 ug/ml) than other parts and BHT (120.12 ug/ml), synthetic antioxidant. At ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity, the dandelion root (DR) had a greater (38.8 U/mg protein) antioxidant enzyme compare to the dandelion leaves (12.2 U/mg protein). The catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) followed higher enzyme activity in Korean dandelion root (KDR) than other parts. In a cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell, the extracts of KDR was found to be active against Calu-6, HCT-116, and SNU-601 cell lines, with $IC_{50}$ values of 522.34, 532.74 and 614.85 ug/ml, respectively. These results suggest that KD and dandelion would be an alternative antioxidant source, based on natural plant resources.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.552-555
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• 2009

This study investigated the proapoptotic effect of ethanol extracts obtained from dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) flower on human ovarian cancer SK-OV-3 cells. Cells were treated with dandelion flowers ethanol extract (DFE) ranging from 1.5625 to $100{\mu}g/mL$ for 24 hr. Significant antiproliferative effects of DFE were first observed from at $6.25{\mu}g/mL$ (p<0.05), and this inhibition showed in a dose-dependent manner. When cells were treated with more than $6.25{\mu}g/mL$ DFE, cell-cycle analysis showed that DFE caused an increase in the percentage of sub-G0/G1 cells and arrested at the S and G2/M phase in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, apoptosis induction by DFE involved p53 activation and bax upregulation as well as downregulation of bcl-2. Our findings indicate that DFE resulted in apoptotic cell death, suggesting that DFE possesses potential anticancer properties.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.85-90
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• 2004

To classify the physiological activity by habitat and part of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), antioxidative and antimicrobial activities were investigated from methanol extracts of Dandelion. Dandelion was taken from Uiryeong (in Kyungnam province) and from Seoul, and antioxidative and antimicrobial activities were measured for three different parts of the dandelion: the flower, leaf and root. Antioxidative activities of methanol extracts from Dandelion were examined by a DPPH test, and antimicrobial activities were examined against 5 microorganisms: Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cereus as G(+) microorganisms, and Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and Eschrichia coli as G(-) microorganisms. No significant differences were found in terms of antioxidative and antimicrobial activities between the dandelions in Uiryeong and the dandelions in Seoul. Antioxidative activity, however, was higher in the flower of the dandelion, irrespective of habitat. Further research with other physiological factors (besides antioxidative and antimicrobial activities) is necessary to shed light on dandelion physiological function and to enhance the utilization of dandelion.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.1112-1118
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• 2002

This study was designed to test the effect of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) extracts on the intestinal microorganisms of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into normal, diabetic control and dandelion extract groups. The extracts were prepared by water, ethylacetate and ether from leaf and root, respectively. Diabetes was induced by injecting streptozotocin (55 mg/kg BW, i.p.) in citrate buffer. The extract was supplemented in 11.45g of raw dandelion / kg diet for 50 days. The growth of Lactobacillus was more enhanced in dandelion leaf-water and leaf-ethylacetate extract group than that of the diabetic control group, whereas the growth of E. coli decreased. Results indicate that the dandelion extracts would be effective to improve the intestinal microorganisms.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.57-61
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• 2004

Many studies have presented results about the antioxidative and antimicrobial activities of Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale). There has yet to be a study which makes comparisons of nutrients based on the parts of the Dandelion. To identify the nutrient composition by part of dandelion, nutrient contents were analyzed. Dandelions were taken from Songpa-gu in Seoul and the nutrient composition of the flower, leaf and root were measured. The nutrient content of each part was analysed by using the method developed by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). The proximate components(moisture, protein, fat, fiber, ash, and carbohydrates), minerals and vitamins of the dandelion were analysed. The nutrient composition of the dandelions showed many significant differences among the parts when the differences were determined by using Duncan's multiple range test. The leaf contains more protein, ash, Ca, K, Mg, Zn, vitamin A, B$_1$, B$_2$, and C than the other parts. The root has much more fiber, carbohydrate, P and Fe content. The results demonstrate that dandelions could be used as a food source supplement for fiber, Ca, Fe and vitamin B$_2$ which are common nutritional deficiencies in Korea. It is recommended that more research for other bio-functional factors besides nutrients composition is needed to enhance the utilization of the dandelion.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.165-170
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• 2012

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of light spectrum using red (660 nm), blue (460 nm), red and blue mixed (Red : Blue = 6 : 4) LED (light-emitting diode), and fluorescent lamp on antioxidant activities and functional components of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). Total polyphenol contents in dandelion irradiated with the red and blue mixed or the red LED were 121.77 mg/100 g or 115.36 mg/100 g, respectively, which were greater than those in dandelion treated with blue LED and fluorescent lamp. Asparagine showed the highest content among amino acids in leaves and roots regardless of treatments. Total amino acid was the highest when illuminated with the red LED. DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging activity and SOD (super oxide dismutase) activity of ethanol extracts were increased under all of the LED treatments compared with fluorescent lamp, and the antioxidant activities were increased by the red and the mixed LED illumination. The results indicate that application of the red and the mixed LED illumination promote antioxidant activity and increase functional components during cultivation of dandelion.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.731-738
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• 2012

Dandelion has been widely utilized for medicinal and edible purposes. This research was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplemental LED (light-emitting diode) light on germination, growth characteristics and anthocyanin content of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) seedling using LED blue (460 nm), red (660 nm, R), blue + red (B:R=6:4) and fluorescent lamp light treatment. By LED illumination to T. officinale seed germination speed was delayed, and germination rate was the highest in the fluorescent light. The growth characteristics (plant height, number of leaves, root length and fresh weight) were greatly influenced by supplemental LED light compared with control treatment, and the growth promotion was the most effective in the red LED illumination. After 60 days of red and mixed LED light treatments, anthocyanin content of dandelion plants was significantly changed. The anthocyanin content was increased by 12~19 mg/100 g under the red LED and the mixed light conditions compared with the control and the blue LED. Results indicate that illumination with red and mix LEDs, compared with other light treatments, is beneficial for promotion of growth and anthocyanin content in dandelion.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.92-97
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• 2010

Luteolin and chicoric acid are the most abundant phytochemicals in dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) leaf. In this study, four kinds of extraction methods [hot water, ambient temperature (AT) water, ethanol, and methanol] were applied to analyze the contents of both phytochemicals and verify their anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities. The methanol extract showed the most potent nitric oxide (NO) inhibitory effect. The luteolin and chicoric acid concentrations were 3.42 and $12.86\;{\mu}g/g$ dandelion leaf in the methanol extract. The NO-suppressive effect of luteolin and chicoric acid was identified in a dose-dependent manner with $IC_{50}$ values of $21.2\;{\mu}M$ and $283.6\;{\mu}M$, respectively, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells without cytotoxicity. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, as an index for free radical injury on cell membrane, was also dose-dependently inhibited by the two compounds. The suppressive effect was further examined using mRNA and protein expression levels, which were attributable to the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). These results suggest that two phytochemicals in dandelion leaf, luteolin and chicoric acid, may play an important role in the amelioration of LPS-induced oxidative stress and inflammation.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.269-275
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• 2008

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has been widely used as an anti-inflammatory agent in oriental medicine. In the current study, we investigated the protective effect, and the possible mechanism, of dandelion extracts against ethanol-induced acute hepatotoxicity in C57BL/6 mice. Dandelion water and ethanol extract was administered at 2 g/kg body weight (BW) once daily for 7 consecutive days, whereas control and ethanol groups received water by gavage. Ethanol (50% ethanol; 6 g/kg BW) was administered 12 hr before sacrificing the mice in order to generate liver injury. Significantly increased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities as well as liver triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol levels were attenuated by dandelion supplementation. In addition, dandelion extracts not only enhanced alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and anti-oxidative enzyme activities, but reduced lipid peroxidation. Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP 2E1), one of the critical enzymes xenobiotic metabolism, expression was lower with ethanol treatment but restored by dandelion supplementation. These results were confirmed by improved histopathological changes in fatty liver and hepatic lesions induced by ethanol. In conclusion, dandelion could protect liver against ethanol administration by attenuating of oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.325-331
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• 2008

The propose of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activity of 80% ethanol extracts and various solvent fractions of dandelion (Taraxacmn officinale) leaves and roots, Total phenolics and phenolic acid contents were also examined. The total phenol content of leaves and roots were $7.9{\pm}0.4%$ and $9.4{\pm}0.3%$ respectively. Eight phenolic acids were separated by GC, among which caffeic acid (113.7 mg%)and m-coumaric acid (152.6 mg) were the dominant phenolic acids in leaves and roots, respectively. Amongst solvent functions of leaves and roots, the ethyl acetate fraction showed the strongest radical scavenging activity. A strong correlation was found between total phenol content and electron-donating ability, and ABTS radical scavenging activity showed a similar trend as electron-donating ability. Hydroxyl-radical-scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation were significantly higher in the ethyl acetate fraction than other factions. In particular, the SOD-like activity was highest (43.6%) in the ethyl acetate fraction of dandelion leaves, and was higher than that of trolox. Thus, the ethyl acetate fraction of dandelion leaves exhibited significant phenol content, antioxidant activity, and free-radical-scavenging effects.