Taraxacum officinale, or dandelion herb, has been used in traditional Native American, Arabian and Chinese medicine. It has been used to treat a wide variety of conditions including cancer. Studies are now showing that there is some scientific validity for these uses of dandelion. However, the advice of a medical professional should be sought before trying to prevent, treat or cure any condition with dandelion herb.
Breast Cancer
Dandelion leaf extract was found to stop the proliferation of breast cancer. Specifically, dandelion prevented MCF-7/AZ, a type of breast cancer cell, from growing, according to the findings of a study published in 2008 in the "International Journal of Oncology." However, only a crude extract of dandelion was found to have this effect. An extract of dandelion in a water solution did not stop the spread of the breast cancer cells.
Ovarian Cancer
Dandelion extract was found to prevent the spread of ovarian cancer cells in a study published in April 2009 in "Food and Science Biotechnology." Dandelion extract resulted in apoptosis, or the death of SK-OV-3 cells. The researchers found these effects with an extract of dandelion in ethanol alcohol.
Pro-inflammatory Cytokines
Dandelion extract was found to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, demonstrating one manner by which dandelion could affect cancer cells. Pro-inflammatory cytokines are proteins that regulate inflammation in the body, according to the findings of a study published in April 2009 in the "Journal of Medicinal Food." They have been associated with various types of cancer. Therefore, reducing these pro-inflammatory cytokines can play an important role in the fight against cancer.
Melanoma
Dandelion herb may help people with chemo-resistant melanoma. Specifically, dandelion herb caused apoptosis, or the death of melanoma cells, according to the findings of a study published in 2011 in "Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine." Yet, dandelion did not lead to the apoptosis of healthy cells. The researchers mention that this is significant because while many herbal preparations can kill cells, they do not target specific cells. However, dandelion kills cancerous cells while leaving healthy cells intact.
References
- "International Journal of Oncology": Evaluation of Aqueous Extracts of Taraxacum Officinale on Growth and Invasion of Breast and Prostate Cancer Cells: Sophia C. Sigstedt, Carla J. Hooten, Manika C. Callewaert et al; 2008
- "Food Science and Biotechnology": Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Flower Ethanol Extract Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Human Ovarian Cancer SK-OV-3 Cells: E.J. Choi & G.H. Kim; April 2009
- "Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine": The Efficacy of Dandelion Root Extract in Inducing Apoptosis in Drug-Resistant Human Melanoma Cells:S. J. Chatterjee, P. Ovadje, M.Mousa, C. Hamm et al; 2011
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