Hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root and leaf on cholesterol-fed rabbits.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), an oriental herbal medicine, has been shown to favorably affect choleretic, antirheumatic and diuretin properties. Recent reports have indicated that excessive oxidative stress contributes to the development of atherosclerosis-linked metabolic syndrome. The objective of this current study was to investigate the possible hypolipidemic and antioxidative effects of dandelion root and leaf in rabbits fed with a high-cholesterol diet. A group of twenty eight male rabbits was divided into four subgroups; a normal diet group, a high-cholesterol diet group, a high-cholesterol diet with 1% (w/w) dandelion leaf group, and a high-cholesterol diet with 1% (w/w) dandelion root group. After the treatment period, the plasma antioxidant enzymes and lipid profiles were determined. Our results show that treatment with dandelion root and leaf positively changed plasma antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid profiles in cholesterol-fed rabbits, and thus may have potential hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects. Dandelion root and leaf could protect against oxidative stress linked atherosclerosis and decrease the atherogenic index.
Choi
Ung-Kyu
UK
Pohang Center for Evaluation of Biomaterials, Pohang 790-834, Korea.
Lee
Ok-Hwan
OH
Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam, Kyonggi, 463-836, Korea.
Yim
Joo Hyuk
JH
Korea Food Research Institute, Seongnam, Kyonggi, 463-746, Korea.
Cho
Chang-Won
CW
Korea Food Research Institute, Seongnam, Kyonggi, 463-746, Korea.
Rhee
Young Kyung
YK
Korea Food Research Institute, Seongnam, Kyonggi, 463-746, Korea.
Lim
Seong-Il
SI
Korea Food Research Institute, Seongnam, Kyonggi, 463-746, Korea.
Kim
Young-Chan
YC
Korea Food Research Institute, Seongnam, Kyonggi, 463-746, Korea.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004032:Diet; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D011817:Rabbits; D031205:Taraxacum / Q000737:chemistry*
D000975:Antioxidants; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008055:Lipids; D010936:Plant Extracts