The phytochemical and pharmacological profile of dandelion

Hepatoprotective mechanisms of ginkgo-Biloba and dandelion extracts: antioxidant activity and modulation of TNF-α and P53 pathways in Thioacetamide-induced liver injury

Liver injuries, especially those induced by chemical toxins and pharmaceuticals, are increasingly prevalent. This study evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of Ginkgo biloba and dandelion extracts in a rat model of thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver injury. Twenty-eight male albino rats were randomly assigned to four groups: control, TAA-treated, TAA plus G. biloba (100 mg/kg), and TAA plus dandelion (500 mg/kg). TAA administration over eight weeks significantly elevated serum liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP, and GGT), bilirubin, cholesterol, and triglycerides (P < 0.05) while significantly reducing total protein and albumin levels (P < 0.05). TAA also induced oxidative stress, evident by increased hepatic malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione levels (P < 0.05). Co-treatment with G. biloba or dandelion extracts significantly ameliorated these biochemical alterations (P < 0.05), with G. biloba demonstrating slightly stronger effects. Histopathological examination showed reduced necrosis, fibrosis, and inflammatory cell infiltration in treated groups. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed decreased expression of TNF-α and P53 proteins (P < 0.05), indicating anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. These findings suggest that G. biloba and dandelion extracts confer protective effects against TAA-induced liver damage through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.

Hepatoprotective effects of dandelion against AFB1-induced liver injury are associated with activation of bile acid-FXR signaling in chicks

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of dandelion against AFB1-induced hepatotoxicity through the regulation of the FXR signaling pathway in chicks. A total of 144 one-day-old male broilers were randomly assigned to three groups and received a basal diet (BD), and BD supplemented with 0.5 mg/kg of AFB1 or 0.5 mg/kg AFB1 with 0.4 % dandelion for 3 weeks. The results showed that the AFB1 treatment caused liver injury and decreased the concentrations of albumin and alkaline phosphatase in serum and increased the total bile acid concentration in serum and liver. Dietary AFB1 supplementation also induced hepatocyte swelling, necrosis, neutrophils infiltration and lipid deposition in the liver. Notably, dietary dandelion supplementation alleviated these alterations induced by AFB1. Additionally, dietary dandelion supplementation alleviated AFB1-induced changes in ileum microbiota and decreased the abundance of Lactobacillus, L. vaginalis, and L. acidophilus compared to the AFB1 treatment. Furthermore, AFB1 downregulated Baat, Ntcp, Acc, FXR, SHP, and SREBP-1c expression, and upregulated Cyp8b1, Bacs, Fas, Pparα, Lxrα and CYP7A1 expression in liver. Meanwhile, AFB1 also downregulated Fgf19, Ostα, Ostβ and FXR expression and upregulated SHP expression in the ileum. Conclusively, dietary dandelion supplementation protected broilers from AFB1-induced hepatotoxicity, potentially due to the activation of bile acid-FXR signaling pathway.

Toxicity of environmentally relevant concentration of esfenvalerate and Taraxacum officinale application to overcome toxicity: A multi-bioindicator in-vivo study

The present study aimed to investigate the toxic effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of esfenvalerate on non-target organisms and the potential toxicity-reducing role of Taraxacum officinale extract (Toex). Esfenvalerate concentration measured as 0.8 μg L-1 in Pazarsuyu stream, which is also used in agricultural irrigation in Giresun-Bulancak region, was used as environmentally relevant concentration. 0.8 μg L-1 esfenvalerate resulted in a reduction in the mitotic index, levels of chlorophyll a and b, as well as root elongation, germination and weight gain in the bioindicator organism Allium cepa. Esfenvalerate treatment resulted in an increase in the frequency of chromosomal abnormalities, as well as the induction of O2•- formation and oxidative stress, which was evidenced by an elevation in the levels of proline and malondialdehyde. Following treatment with 0.8 μg L-1 esfenvalerate, the percentage of tail DNA was 83.6 %, with a concomitant increase in cell death of 77.4 % in comparison to the control. In addition to determining the toxic effects of insecticides on non-target organisms, the solutions to be developed against these toxic effects are also very valuable. For this purpose, the protective properties of Toex were tested against the toxicity induced by esfenvalerate. The application of 7 mg L-1 Toex together with esfenvalerate provided 48.88 % protection in germination percentage, 28.61 % protection in cell proliferation, 37.14 % protection in sticky chromosome, and 58.7 % protection in cell death. In conclusion, the use of insecticides has been demonstrated to have adverse effects on non-target organisms. Comprehensive toxicity testing represents a valuable resource for the effective management of insecticide risks. Furthermore, the investigation and identification of solutions to problems enhances the value of the effort expended. In this study, Toex provided high protection against esfenvalerate, which has been shown to induce oxidative stress and other toxic effects.

Effects of Dandelion Flavonoid Extract on the Accumulation of Flavonoids in Layer Hen Meat, Slaughter Performance and Blood Antioxidant Indicators of Spent Laying Hens

This study aimed to investigate the effects of different supplemental amounts of dandelion flavonoid extracts (DFE) in diets on nutrients in chicken, slaughtering performance, blood biochemical indexes and antioxidant capacity of spent laying hens. A total of 180 560-day-old spent Hy-Line Brown laying hens were randomly divided into five groups. The control group was fed the basal diet, while the experimental groups were supplemented with DFE at levels of 1000, 2000, 4000, and 8000 mg/kg (as T1, T2, T3, and T4 group) in the basal diet, respectively. The variables measured included the content of dandelion flavonoids in layer hen thigh meat and breast meat, slaughter performance, blood biochemical indexes, and antioxidant capacity. Data were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA) to assess the impact of DFE supplementation compared to the control group on study outcomes. The results showed that dietary supplementation with DFE can increase the content of dandelion flavonoids in layer hen meat. The contents of rutin in layer hen breast meat of groups T1, T2, T3, and T4 were 1.37, 4.41, 16.26, and 36.03 ng/g, respectively, and the contents of quercetin was 2.58, 1.36, 4.98, 12.48 ng/g. In layer hen thigh meat of groups T1, T2, T3, and T4, the contents of rutin were 11.48, 15.98, 44.43, 122.32 ng/g, and the contents of quercetin were 9.96, 13.14, 23.15, 38.09 ng/g, respectively. The addition of DFE increased the total phenol content of the feed and highly significantly elevated the total phenol content of layer hen meat (p < 0.01), and the total phenol content of chicken meat was strongly and positively correlated with the total phenol content of the feed. DFE supplementation significantly decreased abdominal fat percentage (p < 0.05) and increased crude fat content in chicken (p < 0.05). The addition of DFE reduced aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities (p < 0.05), decreased triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C), glucose (GLU), and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents (p < 0.05), and increased the content of albumin (ALB), total antioxidant (T-AOC) capacity and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity (p < 0.05). Dietary supplementation of DFE at different concentrations could significantly increase the content of dandelion flavonoids in the muscle of spent laying hens, reduce the abdominal fat rate in hens, effectively reduce blood lipid levels, effectively increase crude fat content in thigh muscle, and enhance the body's antioxidant capacity and liver function.

The Strong Inhibition of Pancreatic Lipase by Selected Indonesian Medicinal Plants as Anti-Obesity Agents

Obesity is characterized by the accumulation of excessive fat, potentially leading to degenerative diseases. Pancreatic lipase, an enzyme responsible for converting 50-70% of dietary fat into monoglycerides, free fatty acids, and various other smaller molecules, plays a crucial role in fat metabolism. Therefore, this study aimed to review selected Indonesian medicinal plants with the potential to inhibit the activity of the pancreatic lipase enzyme. The results showed that kunci pepet (Kaempferiae angustifolia Rosc.), asam gelugur (Garcinia atroviridis), temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrhiza), jombang (Taraxacum officinale F. H. Wigg), pegagan (Centella asiatica), and pala (Myristica fragrans) had strong inhibitory effects, exceeding 50% for both in vitro and in vivo studies. Therefore, further studies are needed to explore the potential of these medicinal plants as anti-obesity treatments.