Effect of Methanolic Extract of Dandelion Roots on Cancer Cell Lines and AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Pathway

Abstract

Ethnomedicinal knowledge of plant-derived bioactives could help us in discovering new therapeutic compounds of great potential. Certainly, dandelion has been used in traditional ethno-medicinal systems (i.e., Chinese, Arabian, Indian, and Native American) to treat different types of cancer. Though, dandelion is highly vigorous, but the potential mode of action is still unclear. In the current study, the antiproliferative activity of methanolic extracts of dandelion root (MEDr) on cell viability of HepG2, MCF7, HCT116, and normal Hs27 was investigated. It was observed that MEDr (500 μg/mL) drastically decreased the growth of HepG2 cell line, while the effect on MCF7 and HCT116 cell lines was less pronounced and no effect has been observed in Hs27 cell lines. The MEDr also enhanced the phosphorylation level of AMPK of HepG2 cells, which considered crucial in cancer treatment and other metabolic diseases. The AMPK activation by MEDr noticed in the current study has never been reported previously. The results regarding the number of apoptotic cells (HepG2 cells) were in line with the cell viability test. The current observations clearly demonstrated the potency of MEDr against liver cancer with validation that dandelion could control AMPK and thus cancer in the treated cell lines.

Dandelion prevents liver fibrosis, inflammatory response, and oxidative stress in rats

“…These include sesquiterpene lactones, terpenoids, polysaccharides, and phenolic compounds (Gonzalez-Castejon, Visioli, & Rodriguez-Casado, 2012;Schutz et al, 2006;Williams, Goldstone, & Greenham, 1996). Recently, dandelion has garnered attention for its antioxidant and its anti-inflammatory effects and its possible beneficial effects against the development of obesity, cancer, and numerous cardiovascular risk factors (Jeon, Kim, & Kim, 2017;Ovadje, Ammar, Guerrero, Arnason, & Pandey, 2016;Rehman et al, 2017). Dandelion continues to be commercialized as herbal formulation mainly for its potential to prevent or ameliorate the outcome of several chronic liver disorder such liver fibrosis.…”

Dandelion extract relaxes mouse airway smooth muscle by blocking VDLCC and NSCC channels

“…In addition, it has many pharmacological effects. Modern pharmacological studies show that the properties of dandelion include antibacterial [ 9 , 10 ], antiviral [ 11 ], anticancer [ 12 – 16 ], antioxidant [ 17 ], anti-inflammatory [ 18 – 20 ], and antiallergic functions. In terms of the alleviation of airway inflammation, a distinctive feature of asthma, it has been reported that the organic acid components of TMHM can improve lipopolysaccharide-induced histopathological damage to tracheal tissues [ 21 ] and reduce lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in normal human bronchial epithelial cells [ 22 ], which could be beneficial for the treatment of acute tracheobronchitis.…”

Dandelion Extract Relaxes Mouse Airway Smooth Muscle by Blocking VDLCC and NSCC Channels

“…In addition, it has many pharmacological effects. Modern pharmacological studies show that the properties of dandelion include antibacterial 6,7 , antiviral 8 , anticancer [9][10][11][12][13] , antioxidant 14 , anti-in ammatory [15][16][17] , and antiallergic functions. In terms of the alleviation of airway in ammation, a distinctive feature of asthma, it has been reported that the organic acid components of TMHM can improve lipopolysaccharide-induced histopathological damage to tracheal tissues 18 and reduce lipopolysaccharide-induced in ammation in normal human bronchial epithelial cells 19 , which could be bene cial for the treatment of acute tracheobronchitis.…”