The diuretic effect in human subjects of an extract of Taraxacum officinale folium over a single day

Abstract

Background: Taraxacum officinale (L.) Weber (Asteraceae) has been extensively employed as a diuretic in traditional folk medicine and in modern phytotherapy in Europe, Asia, and the Americas without prior clinical trial substantiation.

Objectives: In this pilot study, a high-quality fresh leaf hydroethanolic extract of the medicinal plant T. officinale (dandelion) was ingested by volunteers to investigate whether an increased urinary frequency and volume would result.

Design: Volume of urinary output and fluid intake were recorded by subjects. Baseline values for urinary frequency and excretion ratio (urination volume:fluid intake) were established 2 days prior to dandelion dosing (8 mL TID) and monitored throughout a 1-day dosing period and 24 hours postdosing.

Results: For the entire population (n = 17) there was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the frequency of urination in the 5-hour period after the first dose. There was also a significant (p < 0.001) increase in the excretion ratio in the 5-hour period after the second dose of extract. The third dose failed to change any of the measured parameters.

Conclusions: Based on these first human data, T. officinale ethanolic extract shows promise as a diuretic in humans. Further studies are needed to establish the value of this herb for induction of diuresis in human subjects.

FIG. 1.

Confirmation of Taraxacum officinale ethanolic extract identity. A thin layer chromatography (TLC) plate of 10 mL of T. officinale leaf ethanolic extract DNL-03305E (lane 1) and 10 mL of chlorogenic acid (lane 2, 0.1mg/mL) TLC plate of 10 mL of T. officinale leaf ethanolic extract DNL-03305E developed with 100:11:11:27 ethyl acetate:formic acid:glacial acetic acid:water, viewed under 365 nm ultraviolet light.

FIG. 2.

The mean frequency of urination for all subjects in 5-hour periods, aligned with the times of administration on day 0 (black arrows). A significant (p < 0.05) increase in frequency of urination was observed between 8:00 am and 1:00 pm on day 0. *p < 0.1, **p < 0.05.

FIG. 3.

The mean excretion ratio (output/intake volume) of all subjects in 5-hour periods, aligned with the times of administration on day 0 (black arrows). The 0–3:00 am and 11:00 pm-12:00 am has been omitted due to the large variance. A significant (p < 0.001) increase in excretion ratio was observed between 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm on day 0. *p < 0.1, **p < 0.05, ***p < 0.001.