The effect of hydroalcoholic extracts from Taraxacum officinale on blood indicators of kidney and liver functions in male rats

Evaluation of the effects of medicinal herbs on the metabolism and physiology of the body is considered as one of the fundamental researches about the use of herbs in medicine. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) leaf on liver and kidney function of the rats in normal physiological conditions.

The Wistar adult male rats (n=32) were divided into 4 groups of control, 50, 100 and 200 based on the concentration of the hydroalcoholic extract fed to rats (mg/kg body weight). Dandelion leaf extract was administered by gavage for 20 days. Blood samples were taken from the heart to assess the health parameters of the liver (cholesterol, triglyceride and liver enzymes) and kidney (urea, urea nitrogen, and creatinine).

The concentrations of cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly increased in the extract-treated groups compared to the control. Levels of Gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were not significantly different between the treated groups and the control. However, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were significantly increased in the extract-treated groups. Kidney health assessment showed that consumption of Dandelion leaf extract reduced the concentrations of urea, urea nitrogen, and creatinine. In addition, the concentration of these indicators at lower doses of the extract (50, was more significant.

The present study showed that under normal physiological conditions; consumption of hydroalcoholic extract of Dandelion leaf at low doses had no negative effects on liver and kidney functions.