The composition and vascular/antioxidant properties of Taraxacum officinale flower water syrup in a normal-fat diet using an obese rat model

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Taraxacum officinale (L.), commonly called dandelion has been used for centuries as a natural medicine to treat inflammatory diseases including some metabolic alterations associated with obesity. Aim of the study: Based on animal experiments this study aims to explore the potential mechanisms of action of T. officinale flower water syrup (TOFS) together with a normal-fat diet in the intervention of obesity. Materials and methods: Obese male albino-Wistar rats (n = 8) at 25 weeks of age were fed with a normal-fat diet with or without added 27.82% TOFS (w/w) for 4 weeks. The reactivity of thoracic aorta and antioxidant capacity were studied. Results: TOFS delivered daily 926.8 mu g of L-chicoric acid, 20.19 mu g of luteolin and 3.379 g of sucrose. TOFS showed beneficial effects by regulating blood lipids (HDL, x1.11-fold increase), thereby lowering the risk factors for atherosclerosis (TC/HDL, x0.90-fold). The antioxidant status was improved via an increase in plasma superoxide radical scavenging (SOD, x1.6-fold) and a decrease in lipid peroxidation (MDA, x0.81-fold). Moreover, the following were decreased: Cu (x0.53-fold), Zn (x0.72-fold) and the Cu/Zn molar ratio (x0.60-fold). A marker for liver damage/disease was beneficially decreased (ALP, x0.87-fold). TOFS modulated in a significant way COX-depended relaxation to ACh (p = 0.05) but not to CORM-2 (p = 0.1651) in isolated thoracic arteries, by decreased participation of vasoconstrictor prostanoids. The vascular contraction to prostaglandin F-2 alpha was also decreased (x0.62-fold). We observed no change in the feed intake, body weight, organ-to-body weight ratio, blood glucose, CAT, FRAP, AST, ALT, TBARS/carbonyls (in heart, liver, kidneys, spleen) and carbonyls (in blood plasma, thoracic arteries); as well as F(2-)isoprostanes in urine. Vascular response to the vasodilators ACh, SNP, A23187, CORM-2, pinacidil, NS-1619 and to the vasoconstrictors NA, U-46619, ET-1 as well as hyperpolarizing mechanism(s) were not modified. Conclusions: TOFS possesses beneficial properties by regulating prostanoids and antioxidant status.

Automated summary

Taraxacum officinale flower water syrup (TOFS) has beneficial effects on regulating blood lipids and antioxidant status, improving atherosclerosis and liver damage.