Protective Effects of Taraxacum officinale L. (Dandelion) Root Extract in Experimental Acute on Chronic Liver Failure

Abstract

Background: Taraxacum officinale (TO) or dandelion has been frequently used to prevent or treat different liver diseases because of its rich composition in phytochemicals with demonstrated effect against hepatic injuries. This study aimed to investigate the possible preventing effect of ethanolic TO root extract (TOERE) on a rat experimental acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) model.

Methods: Chronic liver failure (CLF) was induced by human serum albumin, and ACLF was induced in CLF by D-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide (D-Gal-LPS). Five groups (n = 5) of male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were used: ACLF, ACLF-silymarin (200 mg/kg b.w./day), three ACLF-TO administered in three doses (200 mg, 100 mg, 50 mg/kg b.w./day).

Results: The in vivo results showed that treatment with TOERE administered in three chosen doses before ACLF induction reduced serum liver injury markers (AST, ALT, ALP, GGT, total bilirubin), renal tests (creatinine, urea), and oxidative stress tests (TOS, OSI, MDA, NO, 3NT). Histopathologically, TOERE diminished the level of liver tissue injury and 3NT immunoexpression.

Conclusions: This paper indicated oxidative stress reduction as possible mechanisms for the hepatoprotective effect of TOERE in ACLF and provided evidence for the preventive treatment.

Keywords: 3-nitrotyrosine; Taraxacum officinale; acute on chronic liver failure; hepatoprotective; oxidative stress.

Figure 1

Chromatogram obtained by HPLC-DAD-ESI MS analysis of a Taraxacum officinale root extract at 340 nm. For peak assignments, see Table 1.

Figure 2

Photomicrographs of the liver tissues from the control and experimental animals. H&E stain: (a). Control; (b). ACLF; (c). ACLF-SYL; (d). ACLF-TO200; (e). ACLF-TO100; (f). ACLF-TO50; Bar = 50 µm (a–c,f) and 20 µm (d,e). ACLF—acute on chronic liver failure; ACLF-SYL—acute on chronic liver failure pretreated with 200 mg silymarin/kg b.w./d; ACLF-TO200—acute on chronic liver failure pretreated with 200 mg TOERE/kg b.w./day; ACLF-TO100—acute on chronic liver failure pretreated with 100 mg TOERE/kg b.w./day; ACLF-TO50—acute on chronic liver failure pretreated with 50 mg TOERE/kg b.w./day.

Figure 3

Immunohistochemical expression of 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) in liver tissues from the control and experimental animals: (a). Control; (b). ACLF; (c). ACLF-SYL; (d). ACLF-TO200; (e). ACLF-TO100; (f). ACLF-TO50; Bar = 50 μm (a) and 20 μm (b–f). ACLF-TO200—acute on chronic liver failure pretreated with 200 mg TOERE/kg b.w./day; ACLF-TO100—acute on chronic liver failure pretreated with 100 mg TOERE/kg b.w./day; ACLF-TO50—acute on chronic liver failure pretreated with 50 mg TOERE/kg b.w./day; ACLF-SYL—acute on chronic liver failure pretreated with 200 mg silymarin/kg b.w./d.