Screening for acetylcholinesterase inhibition, lipid peroxidation inhibition and antioxidant activity of medicinal plants from Morocco / Detección de inhibición de acetilcolinesterasa, inhibición de peroxidación de lípidos y actividad antioxidante de plantas medicinales de Marruecos

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE), hydrolyzes acetylcholine to choline and acetate, thereby terminating this neurotransmitter effect at cholinergic synapses. Therefore, AChE inhibition is used for counterbalance the cholinergic deficit in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. In the present work, in order to find new plant acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, the hydroalcoholic extracts from seventeen medicinal plant species were screened for their acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity, as well as total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoids contents (TFC) and antioxidant activity using ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) assay, and their ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation. The results revealed that Rumex acetosa, Taraxacum officinale and Hypericum perforatum extracts possessing the highest TPC and TFC, were the most effective in terms of ORAC antioxidant activity, and acetylcholinesterase inhibition, in addition to their ability to inhibit liposomes peroxidation, suggesting that those plant species may provide a substantial source of secondary metabolites, which act as natural antioxidants and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, and may be beneficial in the treatment of AD.

La acetilcolinesterasa (AChE) hidroliza la acetilcolina se hidroliza en colina y acetato, terminando así este efecto neurotransmisor en las sinapsis colinérgicas. Por lo tanto, la inhibición de la AChE se utiliza para contrarrestar el déficit colinérgico en pacientes con enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA). En el presente trabajo, con el fin de encontrar nuevos inhibidores de la acetilcolinesterasa vegetal, se analizaron los extractos hidroalcohólicos de diecisiete especies de plantas medicinales para determinar su actividad inhibidora de la acetilcolinesterasa, así como el contenido total de fenólicos (TPC) y flavonoides (TFC) y la actividad antioxidante utilizando ORAC (Capacidad de absorbancia de radicales de oxígeno) y su capacidad para inhibir la peroxidación de lípidos. Los resultados revelaron que los extractos de Rumexacetosa, Taraxacum officinale e Hypericum perforatum que poseen los más altos TPC y TFC, fueron los más efectivos en términos de actividad antioxidante ORAC e inhibición de acetilcolinesterasa, además de su capacidad para inhibir la peroxidación de los liposomas, sugiriendo que esas especies de plantas puede proporcionar una fuente sustancial de metabolitos secundarios, que actúan como antioxidantes naturales e inhibidores de la acetilcolinesterasa, y puede ser beneficioso en el tratamiento de la EA.

Toxicity evaluation of water extract of tissue-cultured Taraxacum formosanum by acute, subacute administration, and Ames test

BACKGROUND: Taraxacum species (commonly known as dandelion) used as herbal medicine have been reported to exhibit an antiproliferative effect on hepatoma cells and antitumor activity in non-small-cell lung cancer cells. Although several investigations have demonstrated the safety of Taraxacum officinale, the safety of tissue-cultured plants of T. formosanum has not been assessed so far. Therefore, the present study examines the safety of the water extract of the entire plant of tissue cultured T. formosanum based on acute and subacute toxicity tests in rats, as well as the Ames tests. RESULTS: No death or toxicity symptoms were observed in the acute and subacute tests. The results of the acute test revealed that the LD50 (50% of lethal dose) value of the T. formosanum water extract for rats exceeded 5 g/kg bw. No abnormal changes in the body weight, weekly food consumption, organ weight, or hematological, biochemical, and morphological parameters were observed in the subacute toxicity test. Thus, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of T. formosanum water extract was estimated to be higher than 2.0 g/kg. Finally, the results of the Ames test revealed that T. formosanum water extract was not genotoxic at any tested concentration to any of five Salmonella strains. CONCLUSIONS: The water extract of tissue-cultured T. formosanum was non-toxic to rats in acute and subacute tests and exhibited no genotoxicity to five Salmonella strains.

Kinetics and modeling of cell growth for potential anthocyanin induction in cultures of Taraxacum officinale G.H. Weber ex Wiggers (Dandelion) in vitro

Background: Taraxacum officinale G.H. Weber ex Wiggers is a wild plant used in folk medicine to treat several diseases owing to bioactive secondary metabolites present in its tissue. The accumulation of such molecules in plant cells can occur as a response against abiotic stress, but these metabolites are often deposited in low concentrations. For this reason, the use of a biotechnological approach to improve the yields of technologically interesting bioactive compounds such as anthocyanins is a compelling option. This work focuses on investigating the potential of in vitro T. officinale cultures as an anthocyanin source. Results: To demonstrate the suitability of anthocyanin induction and accumulation in calluses under specific conditions, anthocyanin was induced in the T. officinale callus. A specific medium of 5.5% sucrose supplemented with 6-benzylaminopurine /1-naphthaleneacetic acid in a 10:1 ratio was used to produce an anthocyanin yield of 1.23 mg g-1 fw. An in vitro dandelion callus line was established from this experiment. Five mathematical models were then used to objectively and predictably explain the growth of anthocyanin-induced calluses from T. officinale. Of these models, the Richards model offered the most suitable representation of anthocyanin callus growth in a solid medium and permitted the calculation of the corresponding kinetic parameters. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate the potential of an in vitro anthocyanin-induced callus line from T. officinale as an industrial anthocyanin source.

Taraxacum: Phytochemistry and health benefits / 中草药·英文版

Taraxaci Herba (Taraxacum mongolicum and other species) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine and dietary application for a long history in China, and Taraxacum officinale has been applied in medicinal and food use in other regions and cultures around the globe. In this review, the phytochemical constituents of dandelion (particularly from T. mongolicum and T. officinale) were summarized. Recent published health benefits of dandelion, such as anti-oxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity, blood sugar and lipids regulation and hepatoprotective activity, as well as its safety data were highlighted. The limited human clinical study and pharmacokinetics information lead to the thought that well-designed human clinical study should be the focus and opportunity for the future research area to truly understand efficacy function and health benefit of dandelion for its application in medicine and health food area.

Screening of the Appropriate Proportion on Anti-Breast Cancer Activity of Prunellae spica Combined with Taraxaci herba and Its Anti-Tumor Research in Vivo / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To screen optimal ratio of Prunella vulgaris(PV) and Taraxacum mongolicum(TM) as a synergetic combination for anti-breast cancer treatment in vitro based on combination index(CI) and to investigate the effects of PV and TM on cell proliferation and apoptosis under the optimized ratio in tumor-bearing(4T1) female BALB/c mice in vivo. METHODS: Cell proliferation was assayed by MTT method. The dose-effect of PV combined with TM was evaluated by CI method, The combination has a synergistic effect when the CI value is less than 1. Breast cancer model was established by subcutaneous injection of 4T1 cells in BABL/c mice, the mice were given medicated feed daily for 25 d. Body weight and tumor growth were measured every three days. Histological change and cell apoptosis in tumor tissue from breast cancer mice were evaluated via HE and TUNEL methods. RESULTS: The results indicated that cell proliferation of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 treated with PV and TM in combination was markedly inhibited. The combination index of PV and TM was 0.199 8 and 0.407 at a ratio of 4:3, which showed a synergistic effect. In addition, PV+TM treatment significantly reduced tumor volume without affecting body weight in breast cancer mice. HE staining showed that the infiltration of inflammatory cells appeared around the tumors and the areas of necrosis. TUNEL staining showed the induced apoptosis in tumor cells from breast cancer mice. CONCLUSION: PV+TM combination has a significant anti-breast cancer activity possibly by boosting immunity and promoting apoptosis in tumor cells, which suggests that PV+TM combination might be a novel potent therapy for the treatment of breast cancer.

Experimental in vivo and in vitro study of inhibitory effect of extract from taraxacum mogonon on human poorly differentiated gastric cancer / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective To investigate inhibitory effect and mechanism of extract from taraxacum mogonon (ETM) on human poorly differentiated gastric cancer MKN45 cells and their model nude mice tumors. Methods Human poorly differentiated gastric cancer MKN45 cells cultured in vitro were divided into the control group and the experimental group. The experimental group was treated with different concentrations of ETM, while the control group was treated with phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The tumor cell growth was examined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT).Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry (FCM). The expression of Survivin mRNA was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the protein expression of Survivin was detected by Western blot. The nude mouse model with poorly differentiated gastric cancer was established with MKN45 cells. Successful models of nude mice were divided into the experimental group and the control group according to random number table. ETM 0.4 ml (100 mg/ml) was injected into abdominal cavity of the nude mice in the experimental group, while only equal dose of 0.9 % NaCl solution was injected in the control group, every 3 days for once, 42 days in total. The weight and volume changes of transplantable tumors were observed. The protein expression of Survivin in transplantable tumors was examined by immunohistochemistry(IHC) method. Results ETM could inhibit the cell proliferation and promote apoptosis of MKN45 cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent way when its concentration reached 0.2 μmol/L (P< 0.05). The expression of Survivin mRNA and Survivin protein was down regulated in a dose-dependent way in the experimental group. Survivin mRNA expression in the experimental group with 0.1,0.2,0.4,0.8, 1.6 μmol/L of ETM and in the control group was 0.18±0.04, 0.14± 0.03, 0.11±0.01, 0.08±0.04, 0.06±0.02 and 0.19±0.03 respectively (F = 132.35, P< 0.05); Survivin protein expression in the experimental group in 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 μmol/L of ETM, and in the control group was 0.86±0.03, 0.60±0.05, 0.43±0.01, 0.22±0.01, 0.14±0.03 and 0.92±0.06 respectively (F= 76.57, P< 0.05). The difference of experimental group was statistically significant when concentration of ETM reached 0.2 μmol/L or above compared with the control group (P< 0.05). Nude mouse experiment showed that the tumor inhibition rate was (60.3±3.2) % in the experimental group. The volume and weight of transplantable tumor in the experimental group was(326± 27)mm3and(0.31±0.13)g,which was obviously lower than that in the control group[(843±14) mm3and (0.78±0.25) g]. The difference was statistically significant (t= 3.94,P =0.043;t= 3.27,P = 0.037). IHC experiment results showed that positive cell count of Survivin protein in the experimental group was obviously less than that in the control group(28±11 vs.152±20;t =4.32,P =0.029). Conclusions ETM has an obvious inhibitory effect on human poorly differentiated gastric cancer MKN45 cell and its nude mouse tomor model. The mechanism may be related with down-regulation of Survivin expression caused by ETM.

Protective effects of Taraxasterol on oxidatively injured cardiomyocytes / 重庆医学

Objective To observe the protective effect and mechanism of taraxasterol on cardiomyocytes in oxidative injury model caused by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R).Methods Mouse cardiomyocytes (CSC cells) were used as the study objects and divided into the normal control group,I/R group,taraxasterol treating I/R group (5,10,30 μmol/L) and positive control group.The cell viability was measured by MTT.The expressions of Caspase-3 and Bcl-2 were detected by RT-PCR.The expressions of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MAD) were detected by biochemical methods.The expression of ERK1/2 was detected by western blot.Results MTT assay showed that 30 μmol/L taraxasterol increased the cell viability of CSC cells injured by I/R (P＜0.05).The RT-PCR results showed that the expression of Caspase-3 mRNA was decreased with 10,30 μmol/L taraxasterol treatment,the difference was statistically significant when compared with I/R group (P＜0.05).The expression of Bcl-2 mRNA was increased with 30 μmol/L taraxasterol treatment,the difference was statistically significant when compared with the I/R group (P＜0.05).The biochemical method detection showed that 30 μmol/L taraxasterol induced SOD expression was increased and MAD expression was decreased,the difference was statistically significant when compared with the I/R group (P＜0.05).Western blot detection showed that 30 μmol/L taraxasterol treatment increased the ratio of p-ERK1/2 to t-ERK1/2 in injured CSC cells (P＜0.05).Conclusion Taraxasterol might inhibit ischemia-reperfusion caused cardiomyocyte oxidative injury by up-regulation of ERK1/2 expression.

Heme Oxygenase-1 Induction and Anti-inflammatory Actions of Atractylodes macrocephala and Taraxacum herba Extracts Prevented Colitis and Was More Effective than Sulfasalazine in Preventing Relapse

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), repeated bouts of remission and relapse occur in patients and can impose a risk of colitis-associated cancer. We hypothesized that plant extracts of Atractylodes macrocephala (AM) or Taraxacum herba (TH) may be better than sulfasalazine for treating this disease because these extracts can promote additional regeneration. METHODS: Murine intestinal epithelial IEC-6 cells were pretreated with AM or TH before a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced challenge. Acute colitis was induced with 7 days of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in male C57BL/6 mice, and extracts of AM and TH were administered for 2 weeks before DSS administration. RESULTS: In vitro studies demonstrated that AM or TH treatment reduced LPS-induced COX-2 and tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA levels but increased heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Oral preadministration of AM and TH rescued mice from DSS-induced colitis by inhibiting inflammatory mediators via inactivated extracellular signal regulated kinase and repressed nuclear factor κB and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, but the effect was weaker for sulfasalazine than that for the extracts. Anti-inflammatory activities occurred via the inhibition of macrophage and T lymphocyte infiltrations. Unlike sulfasalazine, which did not induce HO-1, TH extracts afforded significant HO-1 induction. CONCLUSIONS: Because the AM or TH extracts were far superior in preventing DSS-induced colitis than sulfasalazine, AM or TH extracts can be considered natural agents that can prevent IBD relapse.

Concentraciones de alcaloides, glucósidos cianogénicos, polifenoles y saponinas en plantas medicinales seleccionadas en Ecuador y su relación con la toxicidad aguda contra Artemia salina / Concentrations of alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, polyphenols and saponins in selected medicinal plants from Ecuador and their relationship with acute toxicity against Artemia salina

ResumenEntre los principales compuestos químicos sintetizados por las plantas, pero considerados no esenciales para su metabolismo básico, están los alcaloides, los polifenoles, los glucósidos cianogénicos y las saponinas que tienen diversas funciones en las plantas y reconocidas propiedades medicinales y farmacológicas. En esta investigación se determinaron las concentraciones de los mencionados metabolitos secundarios en los extractos de las hojas de las plantas medicinales Taraxacum officinale, Parthenium hysterophorus, Artemisia absinthium, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius y Piper carpunya y se relacionaron con la toxicidad aguda contra Artemia salina. En cada bioensayo con A. salina se usaron los extractos alcohólicos de las hojas de las plantas seleccionadas a diferentes concentraciones, calculándose la proporción de organismos muertos y los CL50. Las concentraciones de alcaloides, fenoles totales, taninos, glucósidos cianogénicos y saponinas fueron determinadas mediante métodos espectrofotométricos. Este es el primer reporte de cuantificación de metabolitos secundarios en las plantas analizadas provenientes de Ecuador. T. officinale presentó las mayores concentraciones de fenoles (22.30 ± 0.23 mg/g) y taninos (11.70 ± 0.10 mg/g), C aconitifolius de glucósidos cianogénicos (5.02 ± 0.37 µg/g) y P. hysterophorus de saponinas (6.12 ± 0.02 mg/g). Las plantas evaluadas presentaron actividades hemolíticas dependiendo de las concentraciones de saponinas. Los valores de taninos determinados estuvieron entre 0.20 ± 0.01 y 11.70 ± 0.10 mg/g, por lo que no son adversos para su consumo. Aunque los valores de glucósidos cianogénicos son permisibles, es necesario monitorear la presencia de estos compuestos químicos en las plantas para minimizar problemas de salud. Los CL50 obtenidos oscilaron entre los valores 3.37 µg/mL, extremadamente letal o tóxica, para P. carpunya y 274.34 µg/mL, altamente tóxica, para T. officinale. De los análisis de correlaciones realizados a los resultados, se observó que los alcaloides favorecen de manera significativa (p<0.001) a la toxicidad aguda contra A. salina, mientras que a mayor contenido de polifenoles dicha toxicidad disminuye significativamente (p<0.001) el nivel de toxicidad de las plantas. Del análisis de componentes principales, se demuestra que las saponinas están en sinergia con los polifenoles para disminuir la toxicidad, pero tienen un efecto antagónico con los alcaloides y los glucósidos cianogénicos, lo cual evidencia que estos metabolitos secundarios presentan variabilidades en los mecanismos de acción contra A. salina, como compuestos citotóxicos. Estos resultados demuestran que las saponinas y los polifenoles pueden ser letales para A. salina a bajas concentraciones, evidenciando que este bioensayo permite evaluar extractos vegetales que contengan bajas concentraciones de compuestos con altas polaridades. La correspondencia significativamente positiva entre citoxicidad y concentración de los alcaloides, confirmada con el bioensayo de Artemia salina, puede ser útil para hallar fuentes promisorias de compuestos antitumorales y para evaluar los límites tolerables que no afecten otras células benignas. El contenido de metabolitos secundarios hallados en las plantas analizadas les atribuye un gran valor farmacológico.

Abstract:Alkaloids, polyphenols, cyanogenic glycosides and saponins are among the main chemical compounds synthesized by plants but not considered essential for their basic metabolism. These compounds have different functions in plants, and have been recognized with medicinal and pharmacological properties. In this research, concentrations of the mentioned secondary metabolites were determined in the medicinal plants Artemisia absinthium, Cnidoscolus aconitifolius, Parthenium hysterophorus, Piper carpunya and Taraxacum officinale, from Ecuador, and related with cytotoxic effects against Artemia salina. Alcoholic and aqueous extracts from leaves of these selected plants were prepared at different concentrations. To assess cytotoxicity of these extracts, different bioassays with A. salina were undertaken, and the mortality rates and LC50 were obtained. Besides, concentrations of alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, phenols, tannins and saponins were determined by spectrophotometric methods; this constituted the first report of quantification of secondary metabolites in the selected plants from Ecuador. T. officinale had the highest concentration of total phenols (22.30 ± 0.23 mg/g) and tannins (11.70 ± 0.10 mg/g), C. aconitifolius of cyanogenic glycosides (5.02 ± 0.37 µg/g) and P. hysterophorus of saponins (6.12 ± 0.02 mg/g). Tannins values obtained were not adverse to their consumption. Alcoholic and aqueous extracts of selected plants had hemolytic activity depending on the concentration of saponins. Although the values of cyanogenic glycosides were permissible, it was necessary to monitor the presence of this metabolite in plants to minimize health problems. LC50 values ranged from extremely toxic (3.37 µg/mL) to highly toxic (274.34 μg/mL), in P. carpunya and T. officinale, respectively. From correlation analysis, it was observed that increase values of alkaloids concentrations had highly significant (p<0.001) acute toxicity against A. salina, while at a higher polyphenol concentration the level of plants cytotoxicity decreased significantly (p<0.001). The results of principal component analysis showed that saponins apparently were in synergy with polyphenols to decrease cytotoxicity, but antagonize with alkaloids and cyanogenic glycosides, indicating that these secondary metabolites present variability in the mechanisms of action against A. salina, as cytotoxic compounds. These results also demonstrate that polyphenols and saponins can be lethal at low concentrations, demonstrating the potential of brine shrimp bioassay as a model to evaluate plant extracts containing low concentrations of chemical compounds with high polarities. The significant positive correlation between cytotoxicity and concentration of alkaloids confirmed by the bioassay of brine shrimp can be useful to identify promising sources of antitumor compounds, and to evaluate tolerable limits not affecting other benign cells. Contents of secondary metabolites found in the selected plants confer them great pharmacologic values. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (3): 1171-1184. Epub 2016 September 01.

Hepatoprotective properties of Dandelion: recent update.

Taraxacum officinalis (Dandelion) have been used as folk medicines in China, India, and Russia for the treatment of chronic liver diseases. This review focuses exclusively on published literature pertaining to the potential use of Taraxacum officinalis or Dandelion for the treatment of various chronic liver diseases. Dandelion has been tested against various drugs and chemical induced chronic liver diseases in experimental animals and came out with promising results. In vitro studies also confirm the hepatoprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of dandelion. The extensive literature survey reveal the fact that Taraxacum officinalis or dandelion to be safe and the available evidence on the mechanisms of action appears promising, there are currently insufficient data from well-conducted clinical trials to recommend it use in patients with alcoholic liver chronic liver disease.

The study of co sentization allergens to pollen of dandelion (taraxacum), pyrethrum (aquilegia and) weed, grass plants / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

IntroductionOver the last few years, the prevalence of aeroborn allergic disease is rising rapidly throughoutdeveloped and developing countries, and one of every four children in Western Europe has had allergy.In any country of the world over the last 10-20 years, studies on airopollinology and aeroallergenshowing increase of allergen rhinitis to pollen. This is catching many scientists and researchersattentions. These studies deemed that geological locations, climate and plant patterns changing as airpollution increases. Studies identified that pollen allergy in Europe is mainly produced by segmentedplants and in north Europe Betulacease type of allergy is dominating [2]. In our country, Mongolia,plant sturctures are relatively well studied geologically and climatically, and 203 species of plants,98 types and 31 families showed plants may cause allergies. Specifically recent years in Umnugoviprovince, with the expanding operations of many mining companies, increased air pollution leadingto a respiratory disease. With the uses of Compositae in medicine, cosmetics and food, sentization toplant of this family has been increasing in Europe as well as in Asia [3].Goal:To determine co sentization allergens to pollen of Taraxacum, columbine and weed, grass plants.Materials and МethodsThe Research has been done under the Biochemistry Department of Bio – Medical School, HSUMwith the help of “Effect” Allergy – Asthma Hospital. During the study of research, one period descriptiveresearch is done by studying the selected 432 patients who are diagnosed positive for the TaraxacumandAquilegia allergens by skin pricking test and these group is chosen from the airborne allergic patients“Effect” Allergy – Asthma Hospital in 2010 -2014 census.Tables and graphs showing study result were processed by using Excel-2013, SPSS-21.0 software.ResultIn this study, in 2010-2014, aeroallergens skin prick test was done on 5601 people and 18% or 1031people were aeroallergen sensitized.ConclusionsFindings from the skin prick tests for airborne allergens show that 8%, 5% of the patient is positive forTaraxacum, Aquilegia allergen. On SPTs taraxacum, aquilegia and mugwort 60% and grass pollen56,90% of population was cosensitized to all pollens.

Quality Control of Taraxacum Mongolicum Based on Comprehensive Score Method / 中国药师

Objective: To study the effects of different origins, collection and processing methods on the quality of Taraxacum mongolicum. Methods:The HPLC fingerprints of Taraxacum mongolicum were established. Totally 11 batches of Taraxacum mongoli-cum were analyzed by similarity evaluation and cluster analysis. Results:According to the results of HPLC, 11 batches of Taraxacum mongolicum had good baseline separation and showed 5 common peaks. Based on the established HPLC method, the quality of different batches of Taraxacum mongolicum showed difference according to the results of similarity evaluation and cluster analysis. The quality of batch 121231-1 was the best. Conclusion:The origin, collection and processing method show notable influence on the quality of Ta-raxacum mongolicum, and the comprehensive score method can be applied in the quality evaluation of Chinese herbs.

Cross-allergenicity between dandelion and major weed pollens

PURPOSE: The prevalence of pollinosis is increasing, and it is expected to increase further with climate change. Mugwort and ragweed pollens are well known as prevalent allergenic weed pollens in Korea. However, the clinical significance of dandelion pollen as an inhalant allergen has not yet been studied. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance and cross-allergenicity between dandelion and major weed pollens. METHODS: Ninety-seven patients with allergic rhinitis and asthma or with allergic rhinitis alone who were sensitized to dandelion pollens on skin prick tests (allergen/histamine ratio>3) were enrolled between December, 2012 and November, 2013. Serum specific IgE levels to dandelion pollen extracts were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ELISA inhibition tests were performed to evaluate cross allergenecity with other weed pollens. RESULTS: When the positive cutoff value for serum specific IgE was set at the mean+/-3 standard deviation of absorbance values, 52 patients (53.6%) had a high serum specific IgE antibody level. ELISA inhibition tests showed significant inhibitions with serial addition of dandelion pollen extracts, and 5 different inhibition patterns were noted with addition of 4 weed pollen extracts: significant inhibitions with pollens of mugwort, ragweed, chenopodium and Hop J (25%, 13 of 52), inhibitions with pollens of mugwort, ragweed and chenopodium (17.3%, 9 of 52), inhibitions with 2 pollens of mugwort and ragweed (32.6%, 17 of 52), inhibitions with mugwort pollen (21.1%, 11 of 52), and inhibitions with dandelion pollen alone (4%, 2 of 52). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that dandelion pollen may be a causative inhalant allergen to induce pollinosis in the autumn season. Cross-allergenicity with other weed pollens showed individual differences; most patients had cross-reactivity with mugwort, ragweed, and chenopodium pollens, while some with Hop J pollen. Few patients were sensitized to dandelion pollen alone.

Microscopical descriptions and chemical analysis by HPTLC of Taraxacum officinale in comparison to Hypochaeris radicata: a solution for mis-identification

Taraxacum officinale F. H. Wigg, Asteraceae, is frequently misidentified or substituted with Hypochaeris radicata L., Asteraceae (false dandelion). To increase our knowledge of T. officinale and differentiate it from H. radicata, we investigated the two species using a combination of taxonomy, microscopy, and chromatographic studies via fingerprint profiles. Micromorphological characteristics were studied using scanning electron microscopy, while optic light microscopy was used for histochemical observations. Fingerprint profiles were constructed using HPTLC. T. officinale was found to have a morphologically distinct type of pluricellular trichomes that can be used to differentiate the two species, as these structures were not identified in H. radicata samples. Furthermore, two types of laticiferous vessels may also be distinctive characteristics of T. officinale at species level. In addition, the HPTLC data derived from methanolic extracts of H. radicata and T. officinale roots showed clearly different chemical profiles. Thus this study establishes the authenticity of T. officinale, and the observed parameters could help minimize drug substitutions in herbal medicines.

An in vitro analysis of antiproliferative and antimicrobial activities of solvent fractions of Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) leaf.

The persistent upsurge in multidrug resistance of common pathogens and global increase in the incidence of noninfectious diseases such as cancers and diabetes has led to an urgent need for the discovery of novel and affordable pharmaceuticals. Taraxacum officinale commonly called dandelion has been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various conditions. Although the antimicrobial and antiproliferative properties of various crude extracts of T. officinale have been reported, there is little report on the antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities of its solvent fractions. In this study, various solvent fractions from the crude methanolic extract of T. officinale leaves were examined for their antiproliferative and antimicrobial activities with the aim of providing a baseline data for the discovery of the antiproliferative and antimicrobial phytocompounds in T. officinale leaves. Whereas, methylene chloride fraction showed the highest antiproferative activity, inhibiting 97 % proliferation of SGT oral cancer cells the butanol fraction showed the highest antimicrobial activity in both disc diffusion and broth dilution assays. Therefore the methylene chloride and the butanolic fractions could respectively act as leads for the discovery of important anticancer and antimicrobial phytocompounds from T. officinale.

Actividad antiviral contra el virus de la fiebre amarilla, cepa vacunal 17D, de extractos de hojas de Taraxacum officinale GH Weber ex Wiggers / Phytochemicaland antiviral activity against yellow fever virus, 17D vaccine strain, of extracts from leaves of Taraxacum officinale GH Weber ex Wiggers

Taraxacum officinale leaves were collected at two and 5 months of growth, for antiviral activity against flavivirus, using the 17D vaccine strain of yellow fever virus as a model. Using spectroscopy technique, a total of twelve (12) compounds were identified in the chloroform (C) and hexane (H) extracts of two and five months (2M and 5M) of recollection., The antiviral activity against the yellow fever 17D virus was evaluated with the plaque assay and the concentrations used (50 - 1,5 ug/mL) were no cytotoxic to Vero cells as determined using the MTT(3-(4,5-Dimetiltiazol-2yl)-2,4-difenilbromuro de tetrazolium) assay. The phytochemical composition of leaves growing for 5 months is different and more complex than leaves growing for 2 months. From the four extracts, only C5M inhibited the viral replication in a dose depend manner, with 100 percent viral inhibition at 50 ug/mL (p=0,0124) and the effective doses 50 (ED50: 10,2 +/- 8,7 ug/mL), meanwhile, ED50 of C2M extract was 93,5 +/- 23,5 ug/mL, thus, the extract C5M is 8 times more effective than extract C2M. The identified compounds in extract C5M were: Psi taraxasteryl acetate, cafeic acid, taraxasteryl acetate, taraxerol, taraxerilo acetate and Psi-taraxasterol. One of these compounds or the combinations of them is responsible for the reported high antiviral activity.

Las hojas de Taraxacum officinale fueron colectadas a dos y cinco meses de crecimiento, para determinar actividad antiviral contraflavivirus, utilizando como modelo el virus de fiebre amarilla cepa vacunal 17D. Se identificaron por métodos espectroscópicos, un total de doce (12) compuestos provenientes de los extractos de hexano (H) y cloroformo (C) a dos y cinco meses (2M y 5M) de recolección La actividad antiviral se determinó mediante un ensayo de placa y las concentraciones de extractos utilizadas (50-1,5 ug/mL) fueron no citotóxica en células Vero, determinadas por el método colorimétrico del MTT (3-(4,5-Dimetiltiazol-2yl)-2,4-difenilbromuro de tetrazolio). La composición fitoquímica de los extractos de 5 meses es distinta y más compleja que la de dos meses de crecimiento. De los cuatro extractos sólo el C5M inhibió la replicación del virus en una manera dosis dependiente, con una inhibición del 100 por ciento a 50 ug/mL (p=0,0124) y una dosis efectiva 50 (DE50) de 10,2 +/- 8,7 ug/mL, mientras que el DE50 del extracto C2M es de 93,5 +/- 23,5 ug/mL, lo que hace al extracto clorofórmico de 5 meses aproximadamente 8 veces más efectivo que el C2M. Los compuestos presentes en el extracto C5M son Psi taraxasterilo, ácido cafeíco, acetato de taraxasterilo, taraxerol, acetato de taraxerilo y Psi-taraxasterol. Uno o más de estos compuestos son responsables de alta actividad antiviral reportada.

Nutritional Composition and Antioxidative Activity of Different Parts of Taraxacum coreanum according to Drying Methods

This study compared the nutritional composition and antioxidative activity of different parts of Taraxacum coreanum (aerial parts and roots) according to different drying methods (natural drying and freeze-drying). There were no significant differences in vitamin C content in roots depending on the drying methods. However, vitamin A (P<0.01), E (P<0.001) and C (P<0.001) content of aerial parts, and vitamin A (P<0.001) and E (P<0.05) content of roots were significantly higher after freeze-drying compared to natural drying. For organic acids, the oxalic acid content of the aerial parts and roots were the highest. The total polyphenol and total flavonoid content in extracts from the aerial parts (P<0.01) and roots (P<0.05) were significantly higher after freeze-drying compared to natural drying. In addition, the total polyphenol and flavonoid content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and antioxidative index from the natural drying and freeze-drying of Taraxacum coreanum extracts were significantly higher in the aerial parts compared to the roots (P<0.05). These results suggest that the nutritional composition and antioxidative activity of Taraxacum coreanum are higher in the aerial parts compared to the roots, and higher after freeze-drying compared to natural drying. Therefore, the aerial parts of Taraxacum coreanum could be suggested as an antioxidative functional food source.

Pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity of taraxacum officinale in vitro and in vivo

Obesity has become a worldwide health problem. Orlistat, an inhibitor of pancreatic lipase, is currently approved as an anti-obesity drug. However, gastrointestinal side effects caused by Orlistat may limit its use. In this study the inhibitory activities of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) against pancreatic lipase in vitro and in vivo were measured to determine its possible use as a natural anti-obesity agent. The inhibitory activities of the 95% ethanol extract of T. officinale and Orlistat were measured using 4-methylumbelliferyl oleate (4-MU oleate) as a substrate at concentrations of 250, 125, 100, 25, 12.5 and 4 microgram/ml. To determine pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity in vivo, mice (n=16) were orally administered with corn oil emulsion (5 ml/kg) alone or with the 95% ethanol extract of T. officinale (400 mg/kg) following an overnight fast. Plasma triglyceride levels were measured at 0, 90, 180, and 240 min after treatment and incremental areas under the response curves (AUC) were calculated. The 95% ethanol extract of T. officinale and Orlistat, inhibited, porcine pancreatic lipase activity by 86.3% and 95.7% at a concentration of 250 microg/ml, respectively. T. officinale extract showed dose-dependent inhibition with the IC50 of 78.2 microg/ml. A single oral dose of the extract significantly inhibited increases in plasma triglyceride levels at 90 and 180 min and reduced AUC of plasma triglyceride response curve (p<0.05). The results indicate that T. officinale exhibits inhibitory activities against pancreatic lipase in vitro and in vivo. Further studies to elucidate anti-obesity effects of chronic consumption of T. officinale and to identify the active components responsible for inhibitory activity against pancreatic lipase are necessary.

Diversity of Endophytic Fungi Associated with Taraxacum coreanum and Their Antifungal Activity

Endophytic fungi were isolated from healthy leaf and root samples of Taraxacum coreanum. Of the 72 isolates recovered, 39 were from leaves and 33 from roots with an isolation frequency of 54% and 46%, respectively. Based on ITS sequence analysis, 72 isolates were classified into 19 genera of which 17 were under the phylum Ascomycota and 2 were under Basidiomycota. Diverse genera were found and Alternaria, Cladosporium, Fusarium and Phoma were dominant. Out of 19 genera, Apodus, Ceriporia, Dothideales, Leptodontidium, Nemania, Neoplaconema, Phaeosphaeria, Plectosphaerella and Terfezia were new to Korea. Seventy two isolates were screened for antifungal activity, of which 10 isolates (14%) were found active at least against one of the tested fungi. Isolate 050603 had the widest antifungal spectra of activity, and isolates 050592 and 050611 were active against three plant pathogenic fungi.