Dandelion Root Research for Water Retention and Cancer 

Here are several research-studies and review-papers on Taraxacum officinale (common dandelion) that may be relevant for your supplement-business and formulation work. These represent in-vitro, animal and limited human data — results should be interpreted with caution and do not constitute proof of efficacy in humans.

Key Studies / Findings

1. Pilot human study on diuretic effect

   • A study of 17 healthy volunteers taking fresh-leaf hydroethanolic extract of dandelion showed a significant increase in urinary frequency (in the 5-hour period after first dose) compared to baseline. PubMed

   • This supports the traditional use of dandelion as a mild diuretic.

2. Anti-inflammatory / endothelial effects in vitro

   • An aqueous extract of dandelion was shown to suppress TNF-α and ICAM-1 expression in LPS-stimulated rat microvascular endothelial cells (RMMVECs). BioMed Central

   • The authors argue that the endothelium is a viable target for dandelion’s anti-inflammatory activity.

3. Neuroprotective & antioxidant potential

   • A study used hydroalcoholic extracts of dandelion leaves and roots from different ecotypes, and showed in hypothalamic (HypoE22) cells exposed to oxidative stress that the extracts mitigated toxicity. Ex-vivo, in LPS-treated mouse tissue (prefrontal cortex & hypothalamus) they found down-regulation of TNF-α, NOS-2 and up-regulation of BDNF. RSC Publishing

   • This indicates possible neuroprotective and anti-oxidative stress potential (pre-clinical).

4. Animal study: liver protection / fibrosis model

   • In rats treated with CCl₄ to induce liver damage, dandelion administration improved biomarkers of liver function, reduced AST/ALT activities, improved albumin/total protein levels, and reduced oxidative stress. SpringerOpen

   • Shows hepatoprotective potential in animal model.

5. Metabolic syndrome / lipid / atherosclerosis review

   • A review of dandelion as a source of biologically active compounds links its leaves/roots to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lipid-modulating, and hypocholesterolemic properties. MDPI+1

   • For example, chicoric acid (in leaves/flowers) may help reduce atherosclerosis progression. MDPI+1

6. Reproductive toxicity in male rats

   • In one study, male rats treated with an aqueous extract of dandelion for 60 days showed decreased sperm count, motility, and signs of arrested spermatogenesis. PubMed

   • Important safety concern if considering male fertility effects or high-dose usage.

7. Anti-cancer / cell-line & network pharmacology work

   • A recent in-vitro / computational biology study found that active compounds from dandelion appear to act on multiple targets (e.g., TP53, CASP3, EGFR) in lung-cancer (A549) cells. The compound taraxasterol was validated in vitro. PubMed

   • Another study on dandelion leaf polysaccharides (from T. mongolicum, a relative species) showed in vitro anti-cancer (HepG2) activity. PubMed

   • These are promising but pre-clinical only, no human cancer trials.

8. Where to purchase Dandelion Root online    Dandelion Root Capsules