Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale L.) as a Source of Biologically Active Compounds Supporting the Therapy of Co-Existing Diseases in Metabolic Syndrome

Natural products for managing metabolic syndrome: a scoping review

Introduction

Metabolic syndrome comprises a collection of metabolic disorders stemming from factors like genetic predisposition, inadequate nutrition, stress, decreased physical activity, aging, and ethnicity. Although traditional pharmaceutical treatments exist for metabolic syndrome, their limited popularity is attributed to high costs and adverse effects. Consequently, natural products with fewer side effects have been explored for managing this condition. This literature review aims to explore the role of natural products including herbs, botanicals, vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and dietary supplements in managing metabolic syndrome.

Methods

This scoping review was conducted in five steps, involving the formulation of a research question, the retrieval and extraction of relevant studies, the selection of pertinent studies, the organization of information into tables, and the reporting of results. Data was collected from various databases including Embase, Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, with a focus on studies published from 2010 to the present, available in English and with full-text accessibility.

Results

We identified 1,259 articles, screened their titles, abstracts, and full texts, ultimately incorporating 169 pertinent articles into this review (comprising 90 review articles, 32 trial articles, 6 in vitro articles, 38 in vivo articles, 1 experimental article and 2 observational articles). The study's outcomes revealed that natural products, encompassing plants and their derivatives, vitamins and supplements, as well as probiotics, can exert a beneficial influence on metabolic syndrome by regulating blood sugar, blood pressure, lipid profiles, obesity, and abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Conclusion

The current study underscores the significance of natural products in addressing metabolic syndrome. Consequently, it is advisable to conduct further extensive research to assess the efficacy of these products, potentially integrating them into treatment regimens for individuals with metabolic syndrome.

Natural products for managing metabolic syndrome: a scoping review

Introduction

Metabolic syndrome comprises a collection of metabolic disorders stemming from factors like genetic predisposition, inadequate nutrition, stress, decreased physical activity, aging, and ethnicity. Although traditional pharmaceutical treatments exist for metabolic syndrome, their limited popularity is attributed to high costs and adverse effects. Consequently, natural products with fewer side effects have been explored for managing this condition. This literature review aims to explore the role of natural products including herbs, botanicals, vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and dietary supplements in managing metabolic syndrome.

Methods

This scoping review was conducted in five steps, involving the formulation of a research question, the retrieval and extraction of relevant studies, the selection of pertinent studies, the organization of information into tables, and the reporting of results. Data was collected from various databases including Embase, Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, with a focus on studies published from 2010 to the present, available in English and with full-text accessibility.

Results

We identified 1,259 articles, screened their titles, abstracts, and full texts, ultimately incorporating 169 pertinent articles into this review (comprising 90 review articles, 32 trial articles, 6 in vitro articles, 38 in vivo articles, 1 experimental article and 2 observational articles). The study’s outcomes revealed that natural products, encompassing plants and their derivatives, vitamins and supplements, as well as probiotics, can exert a beneficial influence on metabolic syndrome by regulating blood sugar, blood pressure, lipid profiles, obesity, and abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Conclusion

The current study underscores the significance of natural products in addressing metabolic syndrome. Consequently, it is advisable to conduct further extensive research to assess the efficacy of these products, potentially integrating them into treatment regimens for individuals with metabolic syndrome.

Effects of Taraxaci Herba (Dandelion) on Testosterone Propionate-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Rats

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the non-malignant enlargement of the prostate, associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs). Taraxaci Herba (TH), commonly known as dandelion, has traditionally been utilized in East Asia to treat symptoms related to LUTSs. Based on this traditional use, our study aimed to explore the inhibitory effects of TH on BPH progression using a testosterone propionate-induced rat model. To induce BPH, male Sprague Dawley rats were castrated and injected subcutaneously with testosterone propionate (3 mg/kg/day) for 28 days. Concurrently, TH extract was administered orally at doses of 100 and 300 mg/kg/day throughout the four-week period of testosterone propionate injections. The TH extract significantly reduced both the absolute and relative weights of the prostate, along with histopathological changes in the gland. Moreover, it lowered serum levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone and reduced the expression of the androgen receptor in the prostate. Additionally, the TH extract modulated the protein expressions of Bax and Bcl-2, which are key regulators of apoptosis in prostate cells. Collectively, our findings suggest that TH inhibits BPH development partially by modulating androgen signaling and inducing apoptosis within the prostate.

Antidiabetic Properties of the Root Extracts of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and Burdock (Arctium lappa)

Several preclinical studies suggest the potential of edible plants in controlling blood sugar levels and stabilizing diet. The goals of the study were to examine, analyze, and describe whether there are chemical compounds in dandelion and burdock roots that could have antidiabetic properties. The 70% ethyl alcohol and lyophilizate extracts (AE and LE, respectively), were used, and analyses were carried out on their total polysaccharide (TP), total phenolic content (TPC), tannin, and inulin. The antioxidant activity of extracts was determined using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay, and hypoglycemic properties were based on α-amylase activity. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for the tentative identification of the chemical components. Qualitative techniques confirmed the presence of inulin in both roots. Analysis of TPC, tannin content, DPPH assay, and α-amylase activity revealed higher values for burdock compared to dandelion. However, dandelion exhibited higher TP content. Burdock contained a small amount of tannin, whereas the tannin content in dandelion was insignificant. All LE consistently exhibited higher values in all analyses and assays for all roots compared to AE. Despite burdock root showing overall better results, it is uncertain whether these plants can be recommended as antidiabetic agents without in vivo studies.

Medicinal Herbs: Promising Immunomodulators for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases

Humans are constantly at high risk of emerging pandemics caused by viral and bacterial infections. The emergence of new pandemics is mainly caused by evolved viruses and bacteria that are highly resistant to existing medications. The rapid evolution of infectious agents demands the urgent investigation of new therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat these infections at an early stage. One of these therapeutic strategies includes the use of medicinal herbs for their antibacterial and antiviral properties. The use of herbal medicines as remedies is very ancient and has been employed for centuries. Many studies have confirmed the antimicrobial activities of herbs against various pathogens in vitro and in vivo. The therapeutic effect of medicinal herbs is mainly attributed to the natural bioactive molecules present in these plants such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids. Different mechanisms have been proposed for how medicinal herbs enhance the immune system and combat pathogens. Such mechanisms include the disruption of bacterial cell membranes, suppression of protein synthesis, and limitation of pathogen replication through the inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis. Medicinal herbs have been shown to treat a number of infectious diseases by modulating the immune system's components. For instance, many medicinal herbs alleviate inflammation by reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1, IL-6) while promoting the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-10). Medicinal herbs also play a role in defense against viral and intracellular infections by enhancing the proliferation and functions of natural killer cells, T-helper-1 cells, and macrophages. In this review, we will explore the use of the most common herbs in preventing and treating infectious and non-infectious diseases. Using current and recently published studies, we focus on the immunomodulatory and therapeutic effects induced by medicinal herbs to enhance immune responses during diseases.

Combined dandelion extract and all-trans retinoic acid induces cytotoxicity in human breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent and deadly cancers among women worldwide. Recently, natural compounds have been widely used for the treatment of breast cancer. Present study evaluated antiproliferative and anti-metastasis activities of two natural compounds of dandelion and all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) in human MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells. We also evaluated the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, IL-1β, p53, NM23 and KAI1 genes. Data showed a clear additive cytotoxic effect in concentrations of 40 μM ATRA with 1.5 and 4 mg/ml of dandelion extract in MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 cells, respectively. In both cell lines, compared with the untreated cells, the expression levels of MMP-9 and IL-1β were significantly decreased while p53 and KAI1 expression levels were increased. Besides, MMP-2 and NM23 had different expressions in the two studied cell lines. In conclusion, dandelion/ATRA co-treatment, in addition to having strong cytotoxic effects, has putative effects on the expression of anti-metastatic genes in both breast cancer cells.

Reduction of oral pathogens and oxidative damage in the CAL 27 cell line by Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Taraxacum officinale Web. Extracts

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Web.) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) are treasured botanicals with a long usage history in traditional herbal practices worldwide. Dandelion was used to treat kidney, spleen, and liver disease, as well as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and bacterial infections, whereas rosemary was used to treat pain, spasms, and to improve blood circulation.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of rosemary and dandelion leaves aqueous extracts on the human tongue epithelial carcinoma cell line (CAL 27) at the level of interaction between oral microbiota and tongue epithelial cells, genomic damage, and H₂O₂ - induced oxidative damage protection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The polyphenolic composition of the extracts was determined by spectrophotometric and HPLC analyses. After extract treatment, cytotoxic impact and ROS generation in CAL 27 cells were measured using the MTT assay and the 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein-diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay, respectively. Microdilutions were applied to investigate the antimicrobial and adhesive properties against representatives of the oral microbiota. The single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) and cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus cytome assay (CBMN cyt) were used to detect induced genomic damages.

RESULTS

Both extracts increased the adhesion of the lactic acid bacteria L. plantarum but decreased the adhesion of the bacterial pathogens S. enterica serovar Typhimurium LT21 and E. coli K-12 MG1655 adhesion onto CAL 27 cells. 1 h treatment with 5x concentrated dandelion extract and 1x, 2.5x, and 5x of rosemary extract caused an increase in comet tail intensity. CBMN cyt results demonstrated a significant increase in micronucleus formation even at concentrations several times lower than the usual bioactive compound concentrations found in a cup of beverage, with higher concentrations also inducing cell apoptosis and necrosis. Rosemary extract showed a protective effect against H₂O₂ - induced oxidative damage by decreasing the apoptotic cell number, probably preventing mutations leading to tumor aggressiveness, invasion, and metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Both tested extracts demonstrated their usefulness in maintaining good oral bacteria balance and their protective capability as powerful antitumor agents by causing a protective apoptotic effect in tumor cell line already at the dosage of an average daily cup.

Effects of dandelion root on rat heart function and oxidative status

This study aimed to examine the effects of dandelion root on rat heart function and oxidative status. At the beginning of the experimental protocol, Wistar albino rats were randomly classified into two groups (10 rats per group): 1. control group - animals that drank tap water; 2. experimental group - animals that drank dandelion root for four weeks. Every morning for four weeks, the animals received freshly boiled dandelion root in a volume of 250 ml. At the end of the dandelion administration, animals were sacrificed, and their hearts were isolated and retrogradely perfused according to the Langendorff technique at a gradually increasing perfusion pressure between 40 - 120 cm H₂O. The following myocardial function parameters were measured: maximum rate of left ventricular pressure development (dp/dt max), minimum rate of left ventricular pressure development (dp/dt min), systolic left ventricular pressure (SLVP), diastolic left ventricular pressure (DLVP), heart rate (HR). In addition, the coronary flow (CF) was measured flowmetrically. Finally, blood samples were collected after sacrificing to determine oxidative stress biomarkers: nitrite (NO₂^-), superoxide anion radical (O₂^-), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), the index of lipid peroxidation (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The present pioneer results indicated that dandelion root did not manifest a negative impact on functional aspects of isolated rat heart. In addition, dandelion consumption was not associated with promising results in terms of maintaining systemic redox balance.

A comprehensive analysis of chemical and biological pollutants (natural and anthropogenic origin) of soil and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) samples

A range of analytical methods (GC-MS, LC-MS, voltammetry, microbiological and microscopic techniques, PCR) was used to assay a range of potential chemical and biological contaminants in soil and dandelion samples. The results provide the first comprehensive safety analysis of dandelion as a herbal product. Samples were collected from three different sites in Poland where the local population collects dandelion plants for their own consumption: Rudenka (a mountain meadow in the European Ecological Network of Natura 2000 protection area, free of agrotechnical treatments for over 30 years), Warszawa 1 (dense single-family housing with heavy traffic), and Warszawa 2 (recreation area with heavy traffic near a coal-fired heat and power plant). The assays of heavy metals and other chemical pollutants (PAHs, PCBs, dioxins, pesticides, mycotoxins) confirm that all collected soil and dandelion samples were chemically pure; however, 95 species of pathogenic bacteria were detected, including "carnivorous" Vibrio vulnificus, zoonotic Pasteurella pneumotropica, Pasteurella canis, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Staphylococcus lentus and Francisella tularensis as well as 14 species of pathogenic fungi and one protozoan parasite (Giardia intestinalis). The discovery of septicemia agents V. vulnificus, Fusobacterium mortiferum and Rahnella aquatilis in the soil surrounding dandelion roots and in the flowers, G. intestinalis in dandelion leaves and roots samples, all collected in Warsaw, is highly disturbing. This finding underlines the need for increased caution when collecting dandelion in densely populated areas with a large population of pets. Thorough washing of the harvested plants is necessary before using them for consumption, especially in the case of making salads from fresh dandelion leaves, which is becoming increasingly popular among people leading healthy and an environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Antiviral activity of dandelion aqueous extract against pseudorabies virus both in vitro and in vivo

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is one of the most significant pathogens of swine. In recent years, the continual emergence of novel PRV variants has caused substantial economic losses in the global pig industry. PRV can infect humans leading to symptoms of acute encephalitis with implications for public health. Thus, new measures are urgently needed to prevent PRV infection. This study evaluated the anti-PRV capability of dandelion aqueous extract (DAE) in vitro and in vivo. DAE was found to inhibit the multiplication of the PRV TJ strain in PK15 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 0.2559 mg/mL and a selectivity index (SI) of 14.4. DAE inhibited the adsorption and replication stages of the PRV life cycle in vitro, and the expression of IE180, EP0, UL29, UL44, and UL52 was inhibited in the presence of DAE. In vivo experiment results of mice show that a 0.5 g/kg dose of DAE injected intraperitoneally protected 28.6% of the mice from the lethal challenge; decreased the viral load in the liver, lung, brain, heart, and kidney of PRV-infected mice; and attenuated brain damage caused by PRV infection. Furthermore, DAE could also ameliorate viral infection through regulation of the levels of cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-4) in PRV-infected mouse serum. These results demonstrated that DAE exhibited potent inhibitory capability against PRV infection in vitro and in vivo; DAE is therefore expected to be a candidate TCM herb for use against PRV infection.

Mechanistic Role of Methanolic Extract of Taraxacum officinale Roots as Cardioprotective Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury-Induced Myocardial Infarction in Rats

Taraxacum officinale play an important role in the prophylaxis and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Taraxacum officinale is proven as promising antioxidant in earlier studies and one of its constituent "cichoric acid" is shown to have vasorelaxant property. Therefore, present study mainly designed to investigate the cardioprotective effects of Taraxacum officinale against ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R injury)-induced myocardial dysfunction in rats. This study not only explored the overall cardioprotective potential but also tried to explore its molecular mechanism using pharmacological inhibition via L-NAME and glibenclamide. Pretreatment of methanolic extract of Taraxacum officinale significantly attenuated (p < 0.001) increased levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), infarct size, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), while it increased the reduced levels of protein content, glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT) activity. Results showed that pretreatment with methanolic extract of Taraxacum officinale provides cardioprotection against I/R induced myocardial dysfunction, at least, may be mediated through the endogenous release of nitric oxide.

Nutraceuticals and the Network of Obesity Modulators

Obesity is considered an increasingly widespread disease in the world population, regardless of age and gender. Genetic but also lifestyle-dependent causes have been identified. Nutrition and physical exercise play an important role, especially in non-genetic obesity. In a three-compartment model, the body is divided into fat mass, fat-free mass and water, and obesity can be considered a condition in which the percentage of total fat mass is in excess. People with a high BMI index or overweight use self-medications, such as food supplements or teas, with the aim to prevent or treat their problem. Unfortunately, there are several obesity modulators that act both on the pathways that promote adipogenesis and those that inhibit lipolysis. Moreover, these pathways involve different tissues and organs, so it is very difficult to identify anti-obesity substances. A network of factors and cells contributes to the accumulation of fat in completely different body districts. The identification of natural anti-obesity agents should consider this network, which we would like to call "obesosome". The nutrigenomic, nutrigenetic and epigenetic contribute to making the identification of active compounds very difficult. This narrative review aims to highlight nutraceuticals that, in vitro or in vivo, showed an anti-obesity activity or were found to be useful in the control of dysfunctions which are secondary to obesity. The results suggest that it is not possible to use a single compound to treat obesity, but that the studies have to be addressed towards the identification of mixtures of nutraceuticals.