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PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES - TOXICOLOGY - DRUG INTERACTIONS

Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion)

Radix Taraxaci is one of the strongest cholagogues and choleretics known. Its ability to
promote the flow of bile is unequaled among the common herbs (WHO, 2007; Vogel, 1977). The
European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy (ESCOP) recommends Radix Taraxaci for
restoration of hepatic and biliary function, dyspepsia, and anorexia. The German Commission
E authorizes the use of formulations containing Radix Taraxaci and Folium Taraxaci for biliary
abnormalities, appetite loss, dyspepsia, and for stimulation of diuresis. In alcohol-induced
hepatotoxicity, Radix Taraxaci extract was found to reduce serum aspartate aminotransferase,
alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities and
significantly increase hepatic antioxidant activities, including catalase, glutathione-S-transferase,
glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione (You et al., 2010).

Toxicity for Radix Taraxaci has not been documented in dogs and cats when administered orally in therapeutic
doses. No visible signs of acute toxicity were observed after oral administration of dried Radix et Herba Taraxaci
at 3-6 g/kg of body weight in rats. Different types of extracts demonstrated very low toxicity: Herba et Radix
TOXICOLOGY Taraxaci fluid extract, intraperitoneal LD 28.8 and 36.6 g/kg of body weight, respectively, in mice. Ethanol
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extracts of Radix et Herba Taraxaci showed very low toxicity up to doses of 10 g/kg PO and 4 g/kg intraperitoneal
in rats and mice (EMA, 2009).

Equivalent toxic dose in 20 kg dog: 200 g PO of Radix et Herba Taraxaci ethanol extract.
Equivalent toxic dose in 5 kg cat: 50 g PO of Radix et Herba Taraxaci ethanol extract.

DRUG Validated interactions studies do not exist for Radix et Herba Taraxaci preparations. Clinical
INTERACTIONS interactions with other drugs have not been reported. However, Radix et Herba Taraxaci may
potentiate the action of other diuretics and may interfere with hypoglycaemic therapy (Newall
et al., 1996).

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