Evaluation of the laxative effects of Taraxacum officinale using experimental animal models

Taraxacum officinale F.H.Wigg. has been traditionally used as a natural laxative in various ethnopharmacological systems. Nevertheless, scientific evidence supporting its efficacy, particularly in treating gastrointestinal disorders like constipation, is still scarce.

This study aims to evaluate the laxative properties of the methanolic extract derived from the aerial parts of T. officinale F by examining its impact on charcoal meal transit through the small intestine and on fecal output in a rodent model.

Acute toxicity studies determined the lethal dose (LD50) to be greater than 2000mg/kg, indicating a high safety margin. The gastrointestinal transit test using a charcoal meal and the fecal output method were employed to assess its efficacy. In the transit test, animals are grouped into five sets, one group was given normal saline, second was given neostigmine (1 μg/kg) and three sets were given the plant through oral route in the doses of 10, 100, and 500 mg/kg. In the fecal output study, the rats were grouped into five sets and fecal weight was measured.

There was increase in level of the gastrointestinal motility at all tested doses (10, 100, and 500 mg/kg) compared to the normal saline group (p < 0.05). Additionally, fecal matter weight significantly increased in treated groups across all doses. T. officinale's extract increased the intestinal motility and promotes defecation, supporting its effect.

T. officinale F extract has a potential laxative effect. The findings validate the use of the plant as a laxative in traditional medicines.