Abstract

Recently, it was found that dandelion flower extract may fight free radicals (chemical by-products known to damage DNA). Health care providers clinically use dandelion root to promote liver detoxification. Dandelion leaves water extract was investigated for hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of the hepatoprotective activity of dandelion leaves water extract against carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) intoxication in liver albino rats. Carbon tetrachloride was used as hepatotoxic agent and dandelion leaves water extract was used as a probable hepato-protective agent. Various biochemical parameters were studied to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of dandelion leaves water extract. The study was also supported by histopathology of liver sections and DNA extraction of the studied animals to investigate the genomic DNA integrity. The results revealed that the serum markers in rats treated with CCl₄ recorded elevated concentration, indicating severe hepatic damage by CCl_4, while the blood samples from dandelion treated animals showed significant reduction in the serum markers, indicating the effect of the plant extract in restoring the normal functional ability of the hepatocytes. The present study revealed that dandelion leaf water extract could afford a significant protection against CCl₄ induced hepatocellular injury.

Key words: Taraxacum officinale, dandelion leaf water extract (DLWE), hepatoprotective activity, carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) damage.