Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) seeds extract attenuates hypercholesterolemia in swiss albino mice

Abstract

Objectives: The present search aimed to investigate the effect of dandelion seeds extract to reduce hypercholesterolemia and its hazardous effects on liver. Methods: Forty male albino mice were divided into 4 groups, 10 mice per each, the first was the untreated control, the second treated with 400 mg/kg dandelion seed extract, the third treated with 5 mg/kg of cholesterol powder dissolved in oil and the fourth treated with cholesterol and dandelion extract. Results: It was showed that dandelion seeds extract reduced the weight of the mice. Cholesterol treatment resulted in highly significant increase of liver enzymes activities, total cholesterol, how-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) of serum besides to pathological changes as steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis and high pathological score in the liver. Dandelion seeds extraction treatment resulted in marked decrease of liver enzymes activities total cholesterol, HDL and LDL of serum, in addition to hepatic tissue improvement with less steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis and lowered pathological score. Conclusion: Dandelion seeds extract could reduce hypercholesterolemia in swiss albino mice.