Hepatoprotective Effects of Taraxacum officinale Root Extract on Permethrin-induced Liver Toxicity in Adult Mice

Globally, permethrin is used as an insecticide for pest control in indoor environments and in agriculture to enhance food production by eradicating undesirable insects and controlling disease vectors. 

The present study investigated the protective effects of Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) on permethrin-induced liver injury in mice. 

Adult mice were divided into four groups. The first group was the negative control group, whereas the second group was the positive control group that received dandelion through the diet at 2% (corresponding to a dose of 5 g/kg bw). The third group received permethrin (96 mg/kg bw) by gavage, whereas the fourth group received permethrin and a diet enriched with dandelion (cotreatment). All mice were sacrificed after 14 days of treatment.

Biomarkers of liver toxicity (AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH activities and bilirubin level) increased following permethrin treatment. Permethrin induced oxidative stress, which was indicated by an increase in MDA and GSH levels as well as GPx activity and a decrease in SOD activity. Permethrin treatment caused histological alterations in the liver, whereas co-treatment with dandelion reduced liver injury. Our results revealed that alterations of biochemical parameters and liver histological profile in mice following permethrin exposure were reversed towards normalization by the treatment with dandelion roots extract. 

The protective effect of this plant might be due to its antioxidant capacity.