Plants - Dandelion : Introduction Antioxidant properties

Dandelion contains Luteolin , an antioxidant, and has demonstrated antioxidant properties without cytotoxicity .

Chun Hu and David D. Kitts. Food, Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. October 2004. Luteolin and luteolin-7-O-glucoside from dandelion flower suppress iNOS and COX-2 in RAW264.7 cells. Springer Netherlands. 245:1-2(107-113). [1]

Caffeic acid and carcinogenicity

 
The dandelion's taproot, shown in this drawing, makes this plant very difficult to uproot; the top of the plant breaks away, but the root stays in the ground and can sprout again.
Caffeic acid is a secondary plant metabolite produced in dandelion, yarrow , horsetail and whitethorn . Despite its name, it is totally unrelated to caffeine. Recent studies have revealed this acid may be carcinogenic. Caffeic acid was tested for carcinogenicity by oral administration in mice, it produced rena l cell adenomas in females, and a high incidence of renal tubular cell hyperplasia in animals of each sex.[4] However, more recent research shows that bacteria present in the rats' guts may alter the formation of metabolites of Caffeic acid. [2] and [3] Also, there have been no known ill-effects of Caffeic acid in humans.

 

False dandelions

Dandelions are so similar to cat's-ears (Hypochoeris ) that cat's-ears are also known as "false dandelions". Both plants carry similar flowers which form into windborne seeds. However, catsear flowering stems are forked and solid, whereas dandelions possess unforked stems that are hollow. Both plants have a rosette of leaves and a central taproot. However, the leaves of dandelions are jagged in appearance, whereas those of catsear are more lobe-shaped and hairy.

Other plants with similar flowers include hawkweeds (Hieracium) and hawksbeards (Crepis). These are both readily distinguished by their branched flowering stems.

References:

 

    * Richards, A. J. 1972. The Taraxacum flora of the British Isles. Watsonia 9 (supplement): 1-141.
    * Gail, Peter. The Dandelion Celebration: A Guide to Unexpected Cuisine. Cleveland, Ohio: Goosefoot Acres Press, 1994. ISBN 1-879863-51-0.
    * How to cook dandelions ~ at Wikibooks
    * Dandelion Poetry, Folklore, Literature, and Pictures
    * Dandelion at Plants For A Future
    * a university of Wisconsin article on dandelions
    * SpringerLink. Chun Hu and David D. Kitts. Food, Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. October 2004. Luteolin and luteolin-7-O-glucoside from dandelion flower suppress iNOS and COX-2 in RAW264.7 cells. Springer Netherlands. 245:1-2(107-113).





 

source : hydroponicsearch