Can Dandelion root (DRE) fight cancer?

 

Dandelion leaves and Dandelion root are both important compounds in Traditional Chinese Medicine TCM). They are known to help in digestive problems, inflammation, liver function, and kidney disease. They are also used to regulate metabolism and purify the blood. Dandelion tea is an antidiuretic and can lower blood glucose levels. Dandelion can increase insulin, and lower cholesterol and triglycerides. The root is known to contain high levels of polysaccharides which have strong effects against cancer. The plant itself contains high levels of carotenoids like beta-carotene, polyphenols like quercetin, and antioxidants and can boost the immune system and reduce inflammation. It is used as a laxative, fights gut problems and is a blood thinner. It can also be used to lower blood pressure. Research shows it can both prevent and treat colitis via the ingredient taraxasterol (7).  Because it restricts fat levels in the body it can help in weight management (8). There are over 55 studies on PubMed on the health benefits of this 'weed'.

 

 

A growing number of research studies have shown that Dandelion (Taraxacum mongolicum) has significant anticancer and immune boosting propertIes.

 

 

In 2023, research (9) on breast cancer cells showed a combination of Dandelion extract and Retinoic Acid could significantly increase p53 expression and cause cytotoxicity (p53 is often deficient in cancer tumours).

 

Dandelion Root Extract (DRE) inhibits Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell proliferation by interfering with glycerophospholipids and unsaturated fatty acids metabolism, according to both in vitro and in vivo research (6) published in in 2022. TNBC exhibits widely reprogrammed lipid metabolism and the researchers studied whether DRE could use this. In the experiments the dandelion extract decreased CHKA expression, leading to the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway and its downstream targets SREBP and FADS2. In particular, picrasinoside F and luteolin in dandelion extract had the most highly binding inhibitory effects on  CHKA and could regulate glycerophospholipids metabolisms in TNBC. 

Dandelion Root and Pancreatic cancer

 

Dandelion Root Extract induces apoptosis and autophagy in human pancreatic cancer cells with no significant effect on non-cancerous cells according to research(1) published in the scientific journal, Pancreas. The DRE killed the pancreatic cells in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. It also attacked the cancer cells mitochondrial membrane but had no effect on healthy cells,  An aqueous solution of DRE killed both Bx-PC3 and PANC-1 cancer cell lines leaving healthy cells unharmed.

 

 

In 2016, a study both in vitro and in vivo using rats showed that oral administration of DRE retarded the growth of colorectal cancer by 90 percent (5).

 

 

Studies by Chinese researchers suggested that the dandelion polysaccharide (DP) inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo.  The same researchers, in 2020, showed that Dandelion polysaccharides could inhibit angiogenesis in liver cancer, suppressing vasculogenesis in vitro and in vivo (10).

 

Chris Woollams, former Oxford University Biochemist and a founder of CANCERactive added, “We have previously covered research from the team in Windsor, Canada, showing that Dandelion Root Extract could kill certain leukemia cells (2). Both this study and the TNBC breast cancer study show that Dandelion has the potential to treat cancers where chemotherapy is limited. At the University of Windsor, Canada, the team led by biochemist Dr. Siyaram Panday has completed a phase 1 clinical trial on Dandelion and cancer in conjunction with Dr. Arnason at the University of Ottawa. Their work (3), using a concentrated root extract, has shown promise with 20 different types of cancer, in each case selectively targeting the cancer cell mitochondria but not harming the mitochondria of healthy cells. 2011 research was on melanoma for example (4). 

Go to: Dandelion Root Extract  - the cancer killer?

It seems the potential is there; the main problem is the funding isn't.  At CANCERactive we have had several people use DRE with excellent effects against their leukemia. We also like to use it alongside the strongly researched Honokiol. These natural compounds seem to complement each other. 

Dandelion Root Extract has strong anti-inflammatory powers and is used with arthritis.

People can collect the roots, dry them and then turn them to powder - it could be the cheapest cancer fighting compound yet!”

Go to: Overview on Pancreatic cancer - symptoms, causes and alternative treatments

"If you are already thinking of supplementing with any of the above products, why not take a look at Our Natural Selection by clicking here."

 

 

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22647733

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22363452

3. http://www.uwindsor.ca/dailynews/2017-02-21/compound-kills-cancer-cells-uwindsor-research-team-finds
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3018636/
5. Dandelion root extract affects colorectal cancer proliferation and survival through the activation of multiple death signalling pathways; Pamela Ovadje et al; Oncotarget, 2016 Nov 8;7(45):73080-73100

6. Dandelion extract inhibits triple-negative breast cancer cell proliferation by interfering with glycerophospholipids and unsaturated fatty acids metabolism; Shan Wang et al; Front Pharmacol. 2022; 13: 942996.

7. Network pharmacology-based identification of the protective mechanisms of taraxasterol in experimental colitis; Wei Chen et al; Int Immunopharmacol; 2019 Jun:71:259-266.

8. Effects and Mechanism of Chlorogenic Acid on Weight Loss; Yanchun Zhong et al; Curr Pharm Biotechnol; 2020;21(11):1099-1106

9. Combined dandelion extract and all-trans retinoic acid induces cytotoxicity in human breast cancer cells; Hamed Rezaie et al; Scientific Reports volume 13, Article number: 15074 (2023) 

10. Dandelion Polysaccharide Exerts Anti-Angiogenesis Effect on Hepatocellular Carcinoma; Feng Ren et al; Front Pharmacol. 2020; 11: 460.