A comprehensive comparison of advanced metaheuristic photovoltaic maximum power tracking algorithms during dynamic and static environmental conditions.

This study introduces a novel technique for achieving the global peak (GP) in solar photovoltaic (PV) systems under partial shadowing conditions (PSC) using the Dandelion Optimizer Algorithm (DOA), inspired by the dispersal of dandelion seeds in the wind. The proposed approach aims to enhance the power generation efficiency of PV systems across various scenarios, including dynamic uniform, dynamic PSCs, static uniform irradiances, and static PSCs. The proposed approach improves tracking efficiency, provides non-oscillatory steady-state responses, and reduces transients as well as enhancing the dynamic performance of the whole system. Simulation and hardware-in-loop (HIL) experiments demonstrate that the DOA outperforms several state-of-the-art techniques, such as hybrid grey wolf optimizer since-cosine algorithm (HGWOSCA), grasshopper optimization algorithm (GOA), dragonfly optimizer (DFO), particle swarm optimizer with gravitational search (PSOGS), PSO, cuckoo search algorithm (CSA), perturb &observe (P&O), and incremental conductance (INC), achieving average efficiencies of 99.93 %, 88.84 %, 94.48 %, 87.12 %, 88.05 %, 94.79 %, 93.82 %, 85.25 %, and 77.93 %, respectively. These results underscore the DOA's effectiveness in improving maximum power point tracking (MPPT) performance in solar arrays, particularly under challenging dynamic PSC conditions.

Zero-waste multistage utilization of dandelion root.

Introduction: In the fragrance and perfume industry, the controlled release of fragrances are crucial factors that contribute to consumer appeal and product quality enhancement. In this study, various aromatic active substances were extracted from dandelion root (DR), which was subsequently calcined to produce high-performance porous biochar material. Methods: The dandelion root biochar (DRB) material was identified as promising adsorbents for the controlled release of fragrances. Furfuryl alcohol was chosen as the model fragrance for inclusion and controlled release studies. Results and discussion: The DRB exhibited a substantial specific surface area of 991.89 m2/g, facilitating efficient storage and controlled release capabilities. Additionally, the DRB's high stability and porous nature facilitated rapid collection and efficient recyclability. This research significantly contributes to the development of a sustainable, zero-waste multistage utilization strategy for dandelion roots, indicating a potential applications in the food flavoring industry and environmental conservations.

Integrative analysis of the metabolome and transcriptome reveals the mechanism of polyphenol biosynthesis in Taraxacum mongolicum.

Introduction: Dandelion is widely used in clinical practice due to its beneficial effects. Polyphenolic compounds are considered the main anti-inflammatory active ingredient of dandelion, but the gene expression patterns of polyphenolic compounds in different dandelion tissues are still unclear. Methods: In this study, we combined a nontargeted metabolome, PacBio Iso-seq transcriptome, and Illumina RNA-seq transcriptome to investigate the relationship between polyphenols and gene expression in roots, flowers, and leaves of flowering dandelion plants. Results: Eighty-eight flavonoids and twenty-five phenolic acids were identified, and 64 candidate genes involved in flavonoid biosynthesis and 63 candidate genes involved in chicoric acid biosynthesis were identified. Most flavonoid and chicoric acid-related genes demonstrated the highest content in flowers. RNA-seq analysis revealed that genes involved in polyphenol biosynthesis pathways, such as CHS, CHI, F3H, F3'H, FLS, HQT, and CAS, which are crucial for the accumulation of flavonoids and chicoric acid, were upregulated in flowers. Discussion: The combination of transcriptomic and metabolomic data can help us better understand the biosynthetic pathways of polyphenols in dandelion. These results provide abundant genetic resources for further studying the regulatory mechanism of dandelion polyphenol biosynthesis.

Enhanced stock market forecasting using dandelion optimization-driven 3D-CNN-GRU classification.

The global interest in market prediction has driven the adoption of advanced technologies beyond traditional statistical models. This paper explores the use of machine learning and deep learning techniques for stock market forecasting. We propose a comprehensive approach that includes efficient feature selection, data preprocessing, and classification methodologies. The wavelet transform method is employed for data cleaning and noise reduction. Feature selection is optimized using the Dandelion Optimization Algorithm (DOA), identifying the most relevant input features. A novel hybrid model, 3D-CNN-GRU, integrating a 3D convolutional neural network with a gated recurrent unit, is developed for stock market data analysis. Hyperparameter tuning is facilitated by the Blood Coagulation Algorithm (BCA), enhancing model performance. Our methodology achieves a remarkable prediction accuracy of 99.14%, demonstrating robustness and efficacy in stock market forecasting applications. While our model shows significant promise, it is limited by the scope of the dataset, which includes only the Nifty 50 index. Broader implications of this work suggest that incorporating additional datasets and exploring different market scenarios could further validate and enhance the model's applicability. Future research could focus on implementing this approach in varied financial contexts to ensure robustness and generalizability.

The phytochemical and pharmacological profile of dandelion.

Dandelion (Taraxacum genus), a perennial herb belonging to the Asteraceae family is widely distributed in hillside grasslands, roadsides, fields, and river beaches in middle and low-altitude areas. It has a long history of traditional Chinese medicine usage as a heat-clearing and detoxifying agent, often consumed as tea or vegetable. Multiple pharmacological studies have demonstrated the antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immune-regulating, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and other effects of the Taraxacum genus. Bioactive compounds associated with these effects include triterpenes and their saponins, phenolic acids, sterols and their glycosides, flavonoids, organic acids, volatile oils, and saccharides.

The complete chloroplast genome of Taraxacum albidum (Asteraceae), a Japanese endemic dandelion.

Taraxacum albidum, a perennial herb of the Asteraceae family, exhibits both tetraploid and pentaploid in Japan. This study sequenced and characterized the complete chloroplast genome of T. albidum, revealing a 151,451 bp sequence with a typical quadripartite structure, comprising one large single-copy (LSC) region of 84,052 bp, one small single-copy (SSC) region of 18,541 bp, and two inverted repeat (IR) regions, IRa and IRb, each 24,429 bp in length. The chloroplast genome, excluding duplicates, contained 113 unique genes, including 79 protein-coding genes, 30 transfer RNA genes, and four ribosomal RNA genes. The GC content of this genome was 37.7%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that T. albidum is most closely related to T. mongolicum, with the chloroplast genome sequences being nearly identical, differing by only one nucleotide. These findings suggest that the maternal lineage of T. albidum likely originates from T. mongolicum or its closely related species.

Extraction, Purification, Sulfated Modification, and Biological Activities of Dandelion Root Polysaccharides.

In this study, polysaccharides were extracted at a rate of 87.5% ± 1.5% from native dandelion roots, and the dandelion root polysaccharides (DRPs) were then chemically modified to obtain sulfated polysaccharides (SDRPs) with a degree of substitution of 1.49 ± 0.07. The effects of modification conditions, physicochemical characterizations, structural characteristics, antioxidant properties, hypoglycemic activity, and proliferative effects on probiotics of DRP derivatives were further investigated. Results showed that the optimum conditions for sulfation of DRPs included esterification reagents (concentrated sulfuric acid: n-butanol) ratio of 3:1, a reaction temperature of 0 °C, a reaction time of 1.5 h, and the involvement of 0.154 g of ammonium sulfate. The DRPs and SDRPs were composed of six monosaccharides, including mannose, glucosamine, rhamnose, glucose, galactose, and arabinose. Based on infrared spectra, the peaks of the characteristic absorption bands of S=O and C-O-S appeared at 1263 cm-1 and 836 cm-1. Compared with DRPs, SDRPs had a significantly lower relative molecular mass and a three-stranded helical structure. NMR analysis showed that sulfated modification mainly occurred on the hydroxyl group at C6. SDRPs underwent a chemical shift to higher field strength, with their characteristic signal peaking in the region of 1.00-1.62 ppm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis indicated that the surface morphology of SDRPs was significantly changed. The structure of SDRPs was finer and more fragmented than DRPs. Compared with DRPs, SDRPs showed better free radical scavenging ability, higher Fe2+chelating ability, and stronger inhibition of α-glucosidase and α-amylase. In addition, SDRPs had an excellent promotional effect on the growth of Lactobacillus plantarum 10665 and Lactobacillus acidophilus. Therefore, this study could provide a theoretical basis for the development and utilization of DRPs.

Towards laryngeal cancer diagnosis using Dandelion Optimizer Algorithm with ensemble learning on biomedical throat region images.

Laryngeal cancer exhibits a notable global health burden, with later-stage detection contributing to a low mortality rate. Laryngeal cancer diagnosis on throat region images is a pivotal application of computer vision (CV) and medical image diagnoses in the medical sector. It includes detecting and analysing abnormal or cancerous tissue from the larynx, an integral part of the vocal and respiratory systems. The computer-aided system makes use of artificial intelligence (AI) through deep learning (DL) and machine learning (ML) models, including convolution neural networks (CNN), for automated disease diagnoses and detection. Various DL and ML approaches are executed to categorize the extraction feature as healthy and cancerous tissues. This article introduces an automated Laryngeal Cancer Diagnosis using the Dandelion Optimizer Algorithm with Ensemble Learning (LCD-DOAEL) method on Biomedical Throat Region Image. The LCD-DOAEL method aims to investigate the images of the throat region for the presence of laryngeal cancer. In the LCD-DOAEL method, the Gaussian filtering (GF) approach is applied to eliminate the noise in the biomedical images. Besides, the complex and intrinsic feature patterns can be extracted by the MobileNetv2 model. Meanwhile, the DOA model carries out the hyperparameter selection of MobileNetV2 architecture. Finally, the ensemble of three classifiers such as bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM), regularized extreme learning machine (ELM), and backpropagation neural network (BPNN) models, are utilized for the classification process. A comprehensive set of simulations is conducted on the biomedical image dataset to highlight the efficient performance of the LCD-DOAEL technique. The comparison analysis of the LCD-DOAEL method exhibited a superior accuracy outcome of 97.54% over other existing techniques.

In Vivo Antischistosomicidal and Immunomodulatory Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Taraxacum officinale.

Bilharziasis is a widespread trematode parasite that poses a severe public health burden. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has several pharmacological and traditional properties critical for treating several hepatic disorders. The present study was designed to assess the potential efficacy of T. officinale root (TOR) dietary supplementation with or without praziquantel (PZQ) against liver and intestinal disorders in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni. This study was conducted on five groups; G1: uninfected control, G2: untreated S. mansoni-infected mice, G3: infected animals treated with 250 mg/kg PZQ for three alternative days, G4: infected animals were orally administered 600 mg/kg bw TOR daily for 10 days, and G5: infected animals that received both PZQ and TOR as previously described. The current findings after different treatments indicated topographical scanning electron microscopy alterations of male adult worms and a critical reduction in worm burden, ova count, granuloma diameter, hepatic and intestinal histological abnormalities, fibrosis, immunohistochemical expression of CD3+ and CD20+ cells, oxidative stress, and interleukin-10, also upregulation of interferon-gamma, and antioxidant enzymes, when compared to the infected untreated mice. The best results were obtained in mice administered PZQ+TOR together because of their antioxidant properties and ability to promote the host immune response to parasitic infection.

Dandelion inspired microparticles with highly efficient drug delivery to deep lung.

Active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) embedded dry powder for inhalation (AeDPI) shows higher drug loading and delivery dose for directly treating various lung infections. Inspired by the dandelion, we propose a novel kind of AeDPI microparticle structure fabricated by spray freeze drying technology, which would potentially enhance the alveoli deposition efficiency. When inhaling, such microparticles are expected to be easily broken-up into fragments containing API that acts as 'seed' and could be delivered to alveoli aided by the low density 'pappus' composed of excipient. Herein, itraconazole (ITZ), a first-line drug for treating pulmonary aspergillosis, was selected as model API. TPGS, an amphiphilic surfactant, was used to achieve stable primary ITZ nanocrystal (INc) suspensions for spray freeze drying. A series of microparticles were prepared, and the dandelion-like structure was successfully achieved. The effects of feed liquid compositions and freezing parameters on the microparticle size, morphology, surface energy, crystal properties and in vitro aerosol performance were systematically investigated. The optimal sample (SF(-50)D-INc7Leu3-2) in one-way experiment showed the highest fine particle fraction of ∼ 68.96 % and extra fine particle fraction of ∼ 36.87 %, equivalently ∼ 4.60 mg and ∼ 2.46 mg could reach the lung and alveoli, respectively, when inhaling 10 mg dry powders. The response surface methodology (RSM) analysis provided the optimized design space for fabricating microparticles with higher deep lung deposition performance. This study demonstrates the advantages of AeDPI microparticle with dandelion-like structure on promoting the delivery efficiency of high-dose drug to the deep lung.

Comprehensive Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Flavonoids in Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Flowers and Food Products.

Taraxacum officinale, a cosmopolitan perennial, is widely used as an edible, fodder, honey, and medicinal plant. Interestingly, detailed LC-QTOF-MS profiling of the flower extract revealed the presence of several flavonoid signals, most likely lacking literature confirmation. Targeted isolation, including extraction based on DoE planning, led to the isolation of 11 flavonoids, three of which were new (16, 18, and 33). Their structures were determined by the NMR technique. Both biflavones (16 and 18) were structured by two luteolin molecules, linked by a C-C bond through IB (C-6') and IIA (C-6″ or C-8″) rings. Novel flavonolignan (33) was composed of tricin and an unusual carboxyl function containing a lignan moiety. The content of 28 flavonoids (glycosides, aglycones, biflavones, and flavonolignans) was determined by the LC-MS/MS method in raw flowers and dandelion syrups and tincture. Multivariate analyses showed the separation of spring and autumn flowers and a high diversity of food products and helped to identify metabolites correlated with the samples.

Biomonitoring with the Use of the Herbal Plant Taraxacum officinale as a Source of Information on Environmental Contamination.

The aim of this study was to assess the level of contamination of the common dandelion-Taraxacum officinale-with selected metals (Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) and to demonstrate that this plant can be used in passive biomonitoring of industrial sites. Two sample transects (the first was near a forest, an area potentially uncontaminated by analytes [A], while the second ran near a steel mill, a contaminated area [B]), each about 1.5 km long, located in Ozimek, Opole Province, Poland, were used in this study. Metals in plant and soil samples were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Based on the analysis of the obtained results to determine the concentration of metals, plants at site A were more contaminated with Mn (240 mg/kg d.m.) and those at site B with Fe (635 mg/kg d.m.). Mean Pb values (8.39 mg/kg d.m.) were higher at the industrial site (B) and statistically significant at the forest site (A), together with Mn and Fe at the p < 0.001 level. The BCF values for T. officinale showed that Cu (0.473) and Zn (0.785) accumulated to an average degree on both transects. This shows that dandelion is heavily loaded with these metals. Both dandelion and soil samples showed the highest concentrations of Mn, Fe, and Zn, especially in the polluted area B, which is the result of pollution not only from the smelter (dust from electric arc furnaces in steel smelting, extraction installations in production halls transmitting pollutants into the air from molding sand, or waste from molding and core masses dumped on the heap and blown by the wind from the landfill) but also from the high anthropopressure caused by human activity-for example, heating processes or road transport. Our results confirmed that Taraxacum officinale can be successfully used as a herbal plant in passive biomonitoring to assess the quality of the environment, but it must be collected from uncontaminated areas if we want to use it like a medicinal plant.

Integrated Microbiome-Metabolomics Analysis Reveals the Potential Mechanism of Dandelion Root Polysaccharides to Ameliorate Ulcerative Colitis.

In the conducted research, a murine model for ulcerative colitis (UC) was established utilizing dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) to investigate the therapeutic potential of dandelion root polysaccharide extracts on this disease. This study employed an analysis of gut microbiota composition and serum metabolomics to understand the biochemical effects of these polysaccharides. Sequencing of the 16S ribosomal DNA component indicated an increased presence of Bacteroides in the DSS-treated model group, contrasting with a significant enhancement in Faecalibaculum populations in mice treated with dandelion root polysaccharides (DPs). This shift suggests a pivotal role of DPs in elevating fecal N-butyric acid levels-a crucial factor in the maintenance of gut microbiota equilibrium. Through metabolomic profiling of serum, this research identified distinct metabolic changes across the control, DSS model, and DP treatment groups, highlighting four major differential metabolites: (2S)-2-amino-3-[[(2R)-2-butanoyloxy-3-propanoyloxypropoxy]-hydroxyphosphoryl]oxypropanoic acid; (1R,8S,9S)-3,4-dihydroxy-8-methoxy-11,11-dimethyl-5-propan-2-yl-16-oxatetracyclo [7.5.2.01,10.02,7]hexadeca-2,4,6-trien-15-one; Aspartylasparagine; and Nap-Phe-OH. These metabolites are implicated in mitigating oxidative stress, suggesting that DPs facilitate a protective mechanism for the intestinal lining through various biochemical pathways. Additionally, a notable correlation was established between the altered gut microbiota and the serum metabolomic profiles, underscoring the intricate interplay between these two biological systems in the context of UC. This study's outcomes illustrate that UC induces significant alterations in both gut microbiota and metabolic signatures, whereas dandelion root polysaccharides exhibit a profound ameliorative effect on these disruptions. This investigation underscores the therapeutic promise of dandelion root polysaccharides in the management of UC by modulating gut microbiota and metabolic pathways.

Chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and luteolin from dandelion as urease inhibitors: insights into the molecular interactions and inhibition mechanism.

BACKGROUND: Dandelion contains hundreds of active compounds capable of inhibiting urease activity, but the individual compounds have not yet been fully identified, and their effects and underlying mechanisms are not clear. The present study aimed to screen the urease inhibition active compounds of dandelion by urease inhibitory activity evaluation HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry analysis, their mechanism of urease inhibition by polyphenols was explored using enzyme kinetic studies via Lineweaver-Burk plots. Other investigations included isothermal titration calorimetry and surface plasmon resonance sensing, fluorescence quenching experiments, and single ligand molecular docking and two-ligand simultaneous docking techniques. RESULTS: The results indicated that the ethyl acetate fraction of dandelion flower exhibited the greatest inhibition (lowest IC50 0.184 ± 0.007 mg mL-1). Chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and luteolin could be effective urease inhibitors that acted in a non-competitive inhibition manner. Individually, chlorogenic acid could not only fast bind to urease, but also dissociate rapidly, whereas luteolin might interact with urease with the weakest affinity. The chlorogenic acid-caffeic acid combination exhibited an additive effect in urease inhibition. However, the chlorogenic acid-luteolin and caffeic acid-luteolin combinations exhibited antagonistic effects, with the caffeic acid-luteolin combination showing greater antagonism. CONCLUSION: The present study reveals that chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and luteolin are major bioactive compounds for urease inhibition, indicating the molecular mechanisms. The antagonistic effects were observed between luteolin and chlorogenic acid/caffeic acid, and the interactions of the catalytic site and flap may account for the antagonistic effects. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Anti-tumor effect of dandelion flavone on multiple myeloma cells and its mechanism.

BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a prevalent hematologic malignancy characterized by the uncontrolled proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells in the bone marrow and excessive monoclonal immunoglobulin production, leading to organ damage. Despite therapeutic advancements, recurrence and drug resistance remain significant challenges. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the effects of dandelion flavone (DF) on MM cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, aiming to elucidate the mechanisms involved in MM metastasis and to explore the potential of traditional Chinese medicine in MM therapy. METHODS: DF's impact on myeloma cell viability was evaluated using the CCK-8 and colony formation assays. Cell mobility and invasiveness were assessed through wound healing and transwell assays, respectively. RT-PCR was employed to quantify mRNA levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2. Apoptotic rates and molecular markers were analyzed via flow cytometry and RT-PCR. The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway was studied using Western blot and ELISA, with IGF-1 and the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 used to validate the findings. RESULTS: DF demonstrated dose-dependent inhibitory effects on MM cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. It reduced mRNA levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 while increasing those of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. Furthermore, DF enhanced the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins and inhibited M2 macrophage polarization by targeting key molecules and enzymes. The anti-myeloma activity of DF was mediated through the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway, as evidenced by diminished phosphorylation and differential effects in the presence of IGF-1 and LY294002. CONCLUSION: By modulating the PI3K/AKT pathway, DF effectively inhibits MM cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and induces apoptosis, establishing a novel therapeutic strategy for MM based on traditional Chinese medicine.

Effects of Dandelion Extract on Promoting Production Performance and Reducing Mammary Oxidative Stress in Dairy Cows Fed High-Concentrate Diet.

This study investigated the effects of rumen bypass dandelion extract on the lactation performance, immune index, and mammary oxidative stress of lactating dairy cows fed a high-concentrate diet. This study used a complete randomized block design, and initial milk production, somatic cell counts, and parities were set as block factors. Sixty Holstein cows with similar health conditions and lactating periods (70 ± 15 d) were divided into three groups with 20 replicates per group. The treatments included the LCD group (low-concentrate diet, concentrate-forage = 4:6), HCD group (high-concentrate group, concentrate-forage = 6:4), and DAE group (dandelion aqueous extract group, HCD group with 0.5% DAE). The experimental period was 35 d, and cows were fed three times in the morning, afternoon, and night with free access to water. The results showed the following: (1) Milk production in the HCD and DAE groups was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that in the LCD group from WK4, and the milk quality differed during the experimental period. (2) The HCD group's pH values significantly differed (p < 0.01) from those of the LCD and DAE groups. (3) In WK2 and WK4 of the experimental period, the somatic cell counts of dairy cows in the HCD group were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those in the DAE group. (4) The serum concentrations of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and protein carbonyl (PC) in the HCD group were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those in the LCD group. The activity of catalase (CAT) in the LCD and DAE groups was stronger (p < 0.01) than that in the HCD group. (5) The correlation analysis revealed significantly positive correlations between the plasma LPS concentration and serum concentrations of 8-OHdG (p < 0.01), PC (p < 0.01), and malondialdehyde (MDA, p < 0.05) and significantly negative correlations (p < 0.01) between the plasma LPS concentration and activities of CAT and superoxide dismutase. (6) Compared with that in the HCD and DAE groups, the mRNA expression of α, ß, and κ casein and acetyl CoA carboxylase in bovine mammary epithelial cells was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the LCD group, and the mRNA expression of fatty acid synthetase and stearoyl CoA desaturase in the LCD group was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than that in the HCD group. (7) Compared with that in the LCD and HCD groups, the mRNA expression of Nrf2 was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the DAE group, and the mRNA expression of cystine/glutamate transporter and NAD (P) H quinone oxidoreductase 1 in the DAE group was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that in the HCD group. Overall, feeding a high-concentrate diet could increase the milk yield of dairy cows, but the milk quality, rumen homeostasis, and antioxidative capability were adversely affected. The supplementation of DAE in a high-concentrate diet enhanced antioxidative capability by activating the Nrf2 regulatory factor and improved rumen homeostasis and production performance.

Solving Engineering Optimization Problems Based on Multi-Strategy Particle Swarm Optimization Hybrid Dandelion Optimization Algorithm.

In recent years, swarm intelligence optimization methods have been increasingly applied in many fields such as mechanical design, microgrid scheduling, drone technology, neural network training, and multi-objective optimization. In this paper, a multi-strategy particle swarm optimization hybrid dandelion optimization algorithm (PSODO) is proposed, which is based on the problems of slow optimization speed and being easily susceptible to falling into local extremum in the optimization ability of the dandelion optimization algorithm. This hybrid algorithm makes the whole algorithm more diverse by introducing the strong global search ability of particle swarm optimization and the unique individual update rules of the dandelion algorithm (i.e., rising, falling and landing). The ascending and descending stages of dandelion also help to introduce more changes and explorations into the search space, thus better balancing the global and local search. The experimental results show that compared with other algorithms, the proposed PSODO algorithm greatly improves the global optimal value search ability, convergence speed and optimization speed. The effectiveness and feasibility of the PSODO algorithm are verified by solving 22 benchmark functions and three engineering design problems with different complexities in CEC 2005 and comparing it with other optimization algorithms.

Dandelion root extracts and taraxasterol inhibit LPS­induced colorectal cancer cell viability by blocking TLR4­NFκB­driven ACE2 and TMPRSS2 pathways.

Colorectal cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Notably, abnormalities in intestinal bacteria may contribute to the initiation or progression of colorectal cancer. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a bacterial endotoxin, is elevated in patients with colorectal cancer. The present study investigated the protective effects of dandelion root extracts and taraxasterol (TS; a major pharmacologically active compound in dandelion root extracts) on LPS-induced colorectal cancer cell viability, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay, and protein and gene expression levels were determined by western blotting and quantitative PCR. It was revealed that LPS at a low dose (0.5 µg/ml) significantly promoted the viability of human colorectal cancer cells but did not affect normal colon epithelial cells. The addition of dandelion root extracts (0.1-1 mg/ml) or TS (0.05-1 µg/ml) was able to reverse the LPS-induced increase in colorectal cancer cell viability and colony formation. Mechanistically, dandelion root extracts or TS may inhibit the LPS-promoted toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/NFκB-p65 pathway and transcription levels of pro-inflammatory genes (TNFα, IL4 and IL6). Compared with normal colon epithelial cells, human colorectal cancer cells had higher expression levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), which could be further enhanced by LPS treatment but this was reversed by co-incubation with dandelion root extracts or TS. In addition, suppression of the TLR4/NFκB-p65 pathway with CLI095 significantly reversed the stimulatory effect of LPS on the expression levels of ACE2 and TMPRSS2, whereas TNFα (10 ng/ml) markedly induced the expression levels of ACE2 and TMPRSS2. In conclusion, the present study suggested that dandelion root extracts and TS could be used as prevention strategies for reversing bacteria-driven colorectal cancer cell viability.

Screening Antioxidant Components in Different Parts of Dandelion Using Online Gradient Pressure Liquid Extraction Coupled with High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Antioxidant Analysis System and Molecular Simulations.

Utilizing online gradient pressure liquid extraction (OGPLE) coupled with a high-performance liquid chromatography antioxidant analysis system, we examined the antioxidative active components present in both the aerial parts and roots of dandelion. By optimizing the chromatographic conditions, we identified the ferric reducing-antioxidant power system as the most suitable for online antioxidant reactions in dandelion. Compared to offline ultrasonic extraction, the OGPLE method demonstrated superior efficiency in extracting chemical components with varying polarities from the samples. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed twelve compounds within the dandelion samples, with nine demonstrating considerable antioxidant efficacy. Of these, the aerial parts and roots of dandelion contained nine and four antioxidant constituents, respectively. Additionally, molecular docking studies were carried out to investigate the interaction between these nine antioxidants and four proteins associated with oxidative stress (glutathione peroxidase, inducible nitric oxide synthase, superoxide dismutase, and xanthine oxidase). The nine antioxidant compounds displayed notable binding affinities below -5.0 kcal/mol with the selected proteins, suggesting potential receptor-ligand interactions. These findings contribute to enhancing our understanding of dandelion and provide a comprehensive methodology for screening the natural antioxidant components from herbs.

Potentialities of Dandelion (Taraxacum Mongolicum Hand.-Mazz.) Flower Extracts on Gastric Protection against Helicobacter Pylori and Characterization of its Bioactive Constituents.

OBJECTIVES: Dandelion has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects. Our study aimed to identify the effect and mechanism of dandelion flower extracts on H. pylori-induced gastritis and screen for novel antimicrobial substances. METHODS: Anti-H. pylori activities of water extracts(WEDF) and ethanol extracts (EEDF) of dandelion flowers were performed with disk diffusion method assay, MIC, and MBC. The H. pylori-induced model was constructed to examine the gastroprotective of EEDF using RUT, pathological analysis, and ELISA. RESULTS: EEDF exhibited better anti- H. pylori and urease inhibition activities than WEDF. In vivo studies, EEDF can reduce the adhesion of H. pylori to the gastric mucosa, alleviate gastric damage, and concurrently reduce the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in gastric tissues. The six phenolic compounds showed urease inhibition effect (IC50: 2.99±0.15 to 66.08±6.46 mmol/mL). Among them, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and luteolin also had anti-H. pylori activity (MIC: 64-256 µg/mL). CONCLUSION: EEDF exhibited anti-H. pylori, gastroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. Chicoric acid and luteolin may be the main active compounds of dandelion flowers to exert anti-H. pylori, and worthy of further investigation.