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

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

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

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

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.458-463
• /
• 2003

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dandelion leaf (Taraxacum officinale) extracts on hepatic antioxidative system in high cholesterol-fed rats. Four groups of rats were given high cholesterol diets containing 10 g cholesterol/kg and 2.5 g sodium cholate/kg for 6 weeks. The control group received a diet without dandelion leaf extract and the other three groups received dandelion leaf extracts, ie, water, ethyl acetate and ether extracts, respectively. There were no significant difference in cytochrome P-450 contents among four groups. Hepatic xanthine oxidase activity was significantly lower in water extract group than the other three groups. Superoxide dismutase activity was significantly lower in three dandelion leaf extract groups, but catalase activity was significantly higher in three dandelion leaf extract groups than control group. Glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase activities were significantly increased in water extract group than control group. Lipid peroxide content was decreased in water extract group than control group.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.287-293
• /
• 2013

Dandelion(Taraxacum officinale), an oriental herbal medicine, has been shown to favorably affect choleretic, antioxidative and protection of gastric mucosa. The protective effects of common dandelion leaf and root extract were investigated by irradiation in Sprague-Dawley rats. Male SD rats, 6weeks, were orally injected with dandelion extract(100mg/kg) for 10days. Immediately after final injection, rats were whole body irradiated with 10Gy used irradiation facility(Elekta Linac, Sweden). At 24h-15days after irradiation, complete blood counted test and apoptosis in jejunal crypt cell. Stimulated recovery by the extract was observed in platelet but was not showed in the erythrocyte and leucocyte. The jejunal crypt cells were protected significantly(p<0.05) and the radiation-induced apoptosis was reduced(p<0.05). The survival rate were carried for 15days, the survival ratio was 15% and 85% for the control and experimental group. Observations intestinal inhibition of cell death, intestinal mucosa and tissue decreased systemic inflammation and vacuole. Base on these data, we propose that dandelion may be a useful radioprotector, especially since it is a relatively nontoxic natural product.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.233-242
• /
• 2013

The genus Taraxacum, known by the common name Dandelion, is a medicinal herb in the family Asteraceae. It has been traditionally used as a folk medicine for the treatment or prevention of various diseases due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. In this study, we attempted to evaluate protective effects of Dandelion related with anti-oxidative activity to Thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver damage. 36 rats were randomly assigned to six experimental groups : Control, Dandelion water extract (DWE), TAA, TAA&DWE 300, TAA&DWE 600, TAA&DWE 1,200 groups. Rats in DWE and TAA&DWE groups were pretreated with DWE (300, 600 or 1,200 mg/kg BW) by gavage for 7 days. All rats were treated intraperitoneally with TAA (200 mg/kg BW) or normal saline at 12 hours after last oral administration and sacrificed at 12 hours after last treatment. Levels of WBC and Neutrophil count were significantly decresed in TAA&DWE 1,200 group compared with that in TAA group (P<0.05). In TAA&DWE 600 and TAA&DWE 1,200 groups, serum AST, ALT, GGT levels were lower than TAA group (P<0.05). The serum TG level was significantly elevated in TAA&DWE groups compared with those in TAA group. Liver tissues from TAA group showed extensive histopathological changes, characterized by moderate or severe hepatocytes degeneration, inflammatory cell infiltration, and congestion. In the TAA&DWE group, The severity of histopathological lesions were decreased compared to those in the TAA group. The MDA concentration was significantly decreased and GSH content was significantly increased in the TAA&DWE 1,200 group compared to those in the TAA group. GR, CAT and GST activities in the TAA&DWE 1,200 group were significantly increased compared to those in the TAA group.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.269-275
• /
• 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
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.253-259
• /
• 2002

The antioxidative and free radical scavenging activity of water extracts of dandelion were investigated. Antioxidative and radical scavenging activity were assessed by means of different tests; inhibition of peroxidation on linoleic acid model system, scavenging DPPH radical, scavenging of hydroxyl radical by chemiluminescence assay, scavenging of superoxide anion radical by EPR spectroscopy and scavenging of hydrogen peroxide. The leaf extract showed strong antioxidant activity in linoleic acid system. The antioxidant activity of water extracts of dandelion increased with increasing concentrations of extracts. The scavenging activity of the dandelion extracts, on inhibition of the DPPH radical, was related to the reaction time. Hydroxyl radical were generated by lenten reaction and dandelion extract was found to scavenge OH˙in a concentration-dependent manner. The water extract of leaf had effective scavenging activities on hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion radical. From the these data, it is evident that water extract of dandelion leaf is an effective scavenger for OH˙, O$_2$¨, DPPH˙, hydrogen peroxide. And, the antioxidative effect observed is believed to be partly due to this radical scavenger activity.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.607-612
• /
• 2012

Dandelions were fermented for 120 days at $15-20^{\circ}C$ in batches containing thirty and fifty percent raw sugar (FD30 and FD50). The total phenolic concentration of FD30 and FD50 were about $78.9{\pm}2.17$ and $59.35{\pm}2.56$ mg/g, respectively, both being higher than the 2$54.{\pm}1.49$ mg/g determined for DWE (dandelion water extract). The DPPH radical scavenging activity of FD30 and FD50 showed $IC_{50}$ values of $118.7{\pm}2.03$ and $123.40{\pm}2.15{\mu}g/mL$, respectively, and FD30 displayed the highest antioxidant activity. 2 mg/mL of FD30 and FD50 showed $8.8{\pm}1.72$ and $11.8{\pm}2.87{\mu}M$ production of NO, respectively, compared with $4.9{\pm}1.20{\mu}M$ of the dandelion extract. The protease, ${\alpha}$-amylase, and lipase activity of FD50 was the highest. The fibrinolytic activity of FD30 and FD50 were $0.56{\pm}0.28$ and $1.39{\pm}0.20$ unit/mg protein, respectively, which was substantially higher than the 0.28 unit/mg protein of DWE. In conclusion, the dandelions fermented by sugar showed improved antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and enzymatic activities.