Dandelion / Pitachumki (Bengali)/ Dudhal (Hindi)

General Features: The botanical name of this plant is Taraxacum officinale and it belongs to the Asteraceae family of Taraxacum genus. The name originates from the Greek word taraxic, meaning ignition and akeomia i.e., treatment. It is a wild perennial flowering plant that is often used for edible purposes in raw salads or along with any cooked vegetables [1]. The plant is commonly called Dandelion, considered to be native to Eurasia and Europe. It propagates wildly and thus is often considered an invasive species although quite edible by nature. The name has been derived from the French meaning ‘lion’s tooth’. Like other Asteraceae family members, dandelions produce small flower heads, called florets, and together they create bigger flower heads. The number of florets ranges from 40 – 100. The flower heads are ~ 2.0 inches in diameter and yellow to orange yellow. The plant reaches 1.3 ft in height. It has basal leaves. The leaves are toothed and lobed and are ~ 10 inches long. The blooming occurs in mid-spring and lasts until the beginning of winter. The seeds are singly capped within fruiting bodies that are attached to the slender stalks ending in a parachute-like structure called a pappus. Normally they are dispersed by the wind. Dandelions are the sources of nectar at the beginning of spring. It is also an extensive host of pollinators [2]. The flower heads are grown over hollow stems, ~ 3 – 4 inches high, holding no flowers. If broken, they exude milky latex which is non-toxic. It acts as a mosquito-repellant and herbal remedy to treat warts [3].

Folk/traditional medicinal uses: This wildly grown vegetable green exhibits huge loads of medicinal actions. It can be used to treat any infection of the liver including bile problems also acts as a good diuretic. It improves digestion, enhances appetite, and simultaneously causes laxative effects. The native American Indians used boiled dandelions to treat upset stomachs and liver problems. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia reports numerous phytomedicines obtained from the Taraxacum genus enabling it to cure nearly fifty types of diseases. It removes toxicity, reduces swelling, induces diuresis, and cures inflammation, stomach trouble, tumors, gynecological diseases, and eczema. According to traditional Chinese medicines, besides treating liver and stomach problems, it is also used to treat appendicitis. The roots can reduce/prevent diet-oriented fat accumulation in the liver. In that way, it can control non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [4,5]. The milky exudate from the stem finds application as an efficient mosquito repellant in many rural areas which has also been used to remove warts. Each part of the plant is completely edible but has varying degrees of nutrients. The plant is a rich source of phenolic acids (chicoric and chlorogenic acids), flavonoids (luteolin, and quercitin derivatives), and terpenes (sesquiterpene lactones). It is also a large source of vitamins. The roots and leaves have vitamins A, C, K, and B whereas regarding mineral contents, they provide ample sources of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), and zinc (Zn). Due to its high nutrient content, the leaves are often consumed in salads. The dandelion roots are enriched with inulin. In many regions, roots are often used as a substitute for tea or coffee [5,6]. Dandelions can heal minor skin injuries eg, cuts, bruises, scrapes, or minor burns. It helps regenerate, nourish, and moisturize the dry and chapped skin. Further, it can prevent and cure minor skin infections like any antibiotic cream. Extracted oil from dandelion flowers is commonly used for the maintenance and welfare of the skin [3]. Additionally, the leaf extract is also used as a flavoring agent for foods, alcoholic and soft drinks, frozen desserts, candies, baked foods, pudding, and cheese [7].

History of Dandelion and its uses: Dandelions are the most familiar plant in this universe. The plant has survived successfully from the very ages of evolution. The name originates from the Latin word Dens Leonis meaning lion’s teeth owing to the tooth-like appearance of its leaves. Afterward, the English named it ‘Dandelion’. The folk name is piss en lit meaning piss in the night because of its strong diuretic role. The plant has been recorded in the writings of Arabian physicians for its medicinal use in the tenth and eleventh centuries. The Chinese and Indians used to grow it for centuries to treat liver diseases or digestive disorders. It arrived in the American continent at the time of the Mayflower in 1620 by the pilgrims [8]. Even frequently considered to be a weed, however, it is a valuable herb/vegetable in terms of food and medicinal significance. Its shallow roots provide minerals and nitrogen to the soil helping other vegetable plants grow unharmed. Bees and other pollinating insects have a great fondness for dandelion flowers. The sixteenth-century herbalist, William Langham illustrated various medicinal roles of Dandelion. Tonics are prepared from the roots to use as a natural diuretic. It aids digestive ability and removes toxins from the liver and bloodstream. The root extract also stimulates salivary and gastric secretion and improves bile flow. Furthermore, it alleviates inflammations in the body [9]. Nicholas Culpeper, an English botanist and physician illustrated its ability to remove obstructions in the liver, gallbladder, and spleen [10]. The dandelion roots can be used as a substitute for caffeine-free coffee that tastes like coffee from a chicory blend. The green leaves are quite edible like spinach, mustard, collard, and endives [8]. History further tells that as per traditional Chinese medicine, dandelion was first recorded in “Tang Benaco’ – perhaps the oldest medical book inscribed in the Tang Dynasty, 657 – 659 AD. Dandelion leaf was considered to be a powerful medicine to cure swelling of the breast and associated pain. Later, it was included in Yunan Materia Medica during the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644 AD). The plant was regarded at the time as a masterpiece in the Compendium of Materia Medica composed by the great Chinese pharmacologist Li Shizhen. It describes in detail the medicinal use of Dandelion including its use in Chinese prescriptions [11]. Ancient Chinese medicine reports that any part of Dandelion is very useful. It could be used either orally or topically as a tincture, decoction, infusion, powder, or plaster. The major therapeutic indications are gastrointestinal, skin, and respiratory problems [12].

Phytochemical components and associated biological roles: Concerning the versatile medicinal roles of this plant, numerous pharmacologically active ingredients have been identified along with their respective biological functions. The major categories are sesquiterpenes, phenolic compounds, essential oils, saccharides, flavonoids, triterpenoids, sphingolipids, sterols, coumarins, and several others that provide excellent biological effects e.g., anticancer, antioxidant, anti-rheumatic, anti-bacterial and many others. Undoubtedly, these versatile components can exert different biological effects, for example, phenolic acids show antioxidative and immunostimulant effects. Sesquiterpenes and their lactones or their glycosides show anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. Sterols and triterpenes can reduce cardiovascular problems. Flavonoids have potent anti-oxidative actions whereas coumarins express strong anti-coagulant, bacteriostatic, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties [13].

Dandelion synthesizes different varieties of sesquiterpenes. Sesquiterpenoids exhibit a moderately bitter taste, but they are beneficial for maintaining good health and are considered a part of a balanced human diet. The majority of sesquiterpene compounds exist in nature in the form of lactones and glycosides like sonchuside, chicorioside C, Ixerin D, taraxafolide, and others. They also exhibit anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties [11]. Further, many sesquiterpenes, particularly its lactone derivatives, can potentially treat cardiovascular diseases and cancers/tumors. They sensitize tumor cells to any conventional chemotherapeutics. Mostly, they are applied to treat diarrhea and influenza. In the case of plant producers, the actions are solely dependent on the individuals, usually inducing growth and protecting them from microbes and insects or environmental stresses that exert oxidative damage [14]. In the plant kingdom, the compounds act as allelopathic agents, imposing chemical inhibition from one to another via the release of phytochemicals suitably acting either as inhibitors or helping germination [15].

Polyphenolics also exist in dandelion, which is quite common in the Taraxacum genus [16]. They wield diverse biological roles while acting as antioxidants, anti-aging, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerosis, cardiovascular protectants, and anti-apoptotic agents, improving endothelial function, as well as inhibiting angiogenesis also inducing cell proliferating activities [17]. They often exist in glycosidic or covalently linked with tartaric or other acids.

The analysis of dandelion extract by GC-MS shows the presence of 25 volatile compounds. Among them, the majority are 1,3-dimethyl benzene, 1,2-dimethyl benzene, 1-ethyl-3-methyl benzene, heneicosane, and tricosane [18]. Concerning the saccharides, the major items are fructooligosaccharides and fructopolysaccharides which are isolated from the roots. In addition, a few monosaccharides are also identified eg., arabinose, pika, and galactose [19].

Flavonoids are naturally existing compounds having a 2-phenylchromomethane backbone possessing a keto carbonyl group. Owing to the number of -OH group(s), flavonoids show a yellow color and are often called xanthophyll. Dandelions synthesize versatile flavonoid derivatives. They participate in plant growth, development, flowering, and fruiting, also offering anti-bacterial effects as a defense against microbes [11].

Dandelion synthesizes a few sphingolipids. The important ones are Gynuramide II and Phytolacca cerebroside. Normally sphingolipids are important for numerous physiologic functions. They are responsible for brain development during neonatal and cell differentiation. However, they have a significant role in furthering neurodegenerative diseases especially Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s while also stimulating the demyelination process in the case of Multiple sclerosis (MS) and imposing the adversarial effects [20,21].

In dandelion, pentacyclic triterpene are noticed to be the majority. There are different kinds of sterols in different parts of the plant. Usually, triterpenes and sterols exhibit potent anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-oxidative, and anti-oxidant actions [22]. But most of them are synthesized in roots [23].

Coumarin derivatives are sparsely distributed in dandelion. About nine of them have been identified in the leaves and stems. In general, coumarin and its derivatives possess versatile biological activities. They act as antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anticoagulant, and enzyme inhibitors [24].

The leaf extract contains houttuyin (3-oxododecanal), a fatty aldehyde, and aescin, a saponin with several biological properties. Aescin acts as an anti-inflammatory, vasoconstrictor, and vasoprotective agent [25]. On the other hand, houttuyin is a powerful antibacterial compound that is significantly effective against MRSA. It is far more effective against gram-positive rather than gram-negative bacteria [26].

Several xanthine derivatives are also present in the dandelion leaves which are mostly lutein-derived compounds [11].

Coumarins have the place in benzopyrone family and synthesized in many plants including dandelion. Its derivatives have broad spectrum of pharmacological roles while acting as anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, anticancer, antibacterial, antimalarial, casein kinase -2 inhibitors, antifungal, antiviral, anticonvulsant, phytoalexins, antihypertensive, neuroprotective, and inhibiting Alzheimer’s disease. However, it shows ulcerogenic effects [27].

Pharmacological effects: It is astonishing that despite often considering it as an unworthy weed, dandelion shows hordes of pharmacological properties which include anti-bacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-rheumatic, and anti-inflammatory.

Anti-bacterial and antioxidant effect – The plant has excellent anti-bacterial properties which are located mostly in the leaves. Besides the other components, triterpenoids are majorly liable for the cause. It has been noticed that methanolic extract can significantly inhibit Gram-positive bacteria with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ~ 0.3 mg/ml [28]. Besides triterpenoids, the antibacterial potential relies on phenolics and flavonoid content owing to antioxidant and cytotoxic properties [29]. In addition to leaves, the flower extract fraction containing flavonoids and coumarins shows strong antioxidant behavior by scavenging the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and other free radicals including NO [30]. Further, the extract has the potential to inhibit oxidative stress-induced damage to osteoblasts while acting as an antioxidant in preventing bone diseases/loss. In a way, dandelion shows anti-osteoporotic activity [31].

Anticancer effect –  The antiproliferative activity and cell viability of methanolic extract of dandelion roots has been tested on several cancers as well as normal cell lines like MCF7(breast cancer), HepG2 (liver cancer), HCT117 (colon cancer), and Hs27 (normal fibroblast). The effect is quite significant in the case of HepG2 while for others it is slightly less potent and has no effect on normal Hs27 cell lines [32]. Thus no toxicity is exerted by the extract on normal cells. The programmed cell death occurs in the case of colon cancer cell models, probably >95%. Besides, in vitro, experiments using cell lines, the oral administration of aqueous extract of roots has been shown to retard the growth (~ 90%) of human colon cancer cells (HT29) when xenografted on nude mice. Phytochemical analysis indicates that more than one phyto-component is involved in that process: taraxasterol, α- and β – amyrin, and lupeol [33]. In the case of breast cancer cell line MD-MB-231, the extract causes cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and subsequently induces apoptosis or cell death [34].

Antioxidant and hypolipidemic effects – It has been established that severe oxidative stress leads to atherosclerosis-associated metabolic disorders. Animal experiments conducted by feeding dandelion leaves and roots to rabbits providing high-cholesterol diets have shown that the plant reduces serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-C while raising the level of HDL-C quite efficiently. So, the plant can prevent hypocholesterolemic atherosclerosis thus reducing the risk of coronary artery disease [35]. Further study was conducted using phenolic fractions of leaves and petals enriched with L-chicoric acid on Wistar rats showing decreased total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, proving the fact that chicoric acid could be one of the liable factors [36]. The extract has strong antioxidant properties which offer protection against hypertension stimulated by the generated free radicals induced by N-ω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. The extract elevates antioxidant ability and decreases lipid peroxidation, a marker of oxidative stress in the heart, kidney, liver, and brain. The phenolic compounds in the extract seem to regulate the nitric oxide synthase activity (NOS) by interacting with kinase signaling pathways and intracellular Ca+2-associated NOS phosphorylation and NO production. Further, these phenolics may inhibit endothelin-1, a vasoconstrictor, and endothelial NADPH oxidase [37].

Anti-inflammatory effect – The ethanol extract inhibits exudate production, NO generation, and leucocyte level in exudate in the case of carrageenan-induced air pouch model in rats. The inhibitory effect is also noticed in acetic-induced vascular permeability, and also dose-dependent inhibition of acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing in mice. The suppressive action is further noticed in NO production, expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase – 2(COX-2) during lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated macrophages. The major anti-inflammatory activity is observed in the case of n-butanol extract. In overall assessment, dandelion offers anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nociceptive effects via the inhibition of NO, and COX-2 expression as well as its antioxidative properties [38]. In vitro studies using a mouse macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) treated with LPS have shown that methanol extract can inhibit the production of NO, inflammatory cytokines, and prostaglandin PGE₂ in a dose-dependent manner [11].

Hepatoprotective effects – Traditionally, dandelion is well known for its hepatoprotective actions. Recently animal studies have established this fact by protecting the liver against toxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) as a hepatotoxic agent. CCl₄ causes hepatocellular fatty degeneration and centrilobular necrosis. It increases the activities of liver enzymes e.g., aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The weight of liver tissue and hydroxyproline content are increased but the activity of Copper Zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) is significantly reduced [37]. The intraperitoneal administration of hydro-alcoholic root extract for four weeks normalizes all activities including ALP, Cu/Zn-SOD, and hydroxyproline levels in CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice. The enlargement of the liver and fibrinous deposits are reduced restoring the histological architecture of the tissue [39].

Anti-obesity effect – Oral administration (150 – 300mg/Kg) of dandelion extract for ~ 10 weeks to mice and rats consuming a high-fat diet exhibits a decrease in body weight. The exact chemical components have not been specified. However ethanolic extract (60%) of the dandelion leaf has shown a similar effect. The extract is enriched with poly-phenolic antioxidants (gallic acid equivalent 123 mg /g). The phenolic components present in the extract are kaempferol, luteolin, and myricetin which also inhibit pancreatic lipase activity [40,41].

Antidiabetic effect –   The aqueous and ethanolic extract of dandelion leaves and roots are tested on streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats that has shown the hypoglycemic effects. The ethanolic root extract has shown more efficiency than other ways of extraction. Both aqueous and ethanolic extracts show dose-dependent behavior. Further experiments have proven that the effectivity of root extract could be due to fructooligosaccharide, inulin [41].

The antidiabetic effect occurs due to the inhibition of renal glucose reabsorption alleviating the action of carbohydrate enzymes, α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and β-galactosidase thereby lowering the blood sugar, and inhibiting K⁺ channel flow. The aqueous or methanol extract of stem, roots, and flowers exhibits significant inhibitory actions supporting its use in managing diabetes and obesity also [42]. The extract also helps release insulin which affects type-2 diabetes too. The phytochemicals that are liable for this effect are chicoric acid, taraxasterol, chlorogenic acid, and a few sesquiterpene lactones [43].

Anti-platelet activity – It has been reported that dandelion potently inhibits the activation of isolated washed platelets. However recent studies further indicate that prior treatment with dandelion extract can also inhibit platelet activation and thrombus formation in the case of whole blood even when activated with ADP or collagen. Fractionation of root extract and their subsequent actions on platelets indicate that those containing high (~ 80%) levels of hydroxyphenyl acetic acid and hydroxycinnamic acid (~ 90%) can inhibit the adhesion of platelets stimulated by thrombin to collagen or fibrinogen. Interestingly, the fraction enriched with hydroxycinnamic acid is seen to be more potent in inhibiting ADP-stimulated platelets on fibrinogen [44].

Toxicity: The plant or its extracts normally exhibit very low toxicity and are considered to be safe for the majority of people particularly if consumed as a food. However, the plant occasionally exerts allergic reactions, particularly contact dermatitis for sensitive skin. Additionally, it shows occasional interaction with a few medications like certain antibiotics, anticoagulants, blood glucose-lowering drugs, and diuretics  [https://www.mountsinai.org/health- library/herb/dandelion#:~:].

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