Evaluation of the Acute Toxicity of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Roots

Abstract

Introduction: Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a medicinal plant used in alternative medicine for its multiple therapeutic and preventive properties. However, insufficient data are available about its toxicity. Materials and methods: dandelion roots total extract vas prepared by maceration for 24 hours and its toxicity was then assessed on 30 WISTAR male rats divided into four experimental groups receiving the extract at different rates, and one control group treated with the vehicle. Changes in renal, hepatic, lipid, and hematological parameters as well as signs of acute toxicity were noted during 15 days after the one dose extract administration. Results and discussion: The obtained results reveal a very significant (p<0.01) disruption of transaminases but not renal, lipid and hematological parameters. The acute toxicity study demonstrated that dendelion roots extract has low intraperitoneal toxicity with a LD50 ranged between 500 and 5000 mg/kg. Conclusion: Dandelion's richness in secondary metabolites and its low in vivo toxicity make it a good candidate as a source of drugs with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Keywords: Dandelion, Acute toxicity, LD50, Transaminases, lipids, hematology