Abstract:
Daucus carota, widely used in European and Indian folk medicine, is
commonly known as wild carrot, an annual or biannual herb mostly confined to the
temperate regions of Europe, Asia and South Africa. In view of the biochemical and
pharmacological actions of carrot extract, the present study was undertaken in an
attempt to evaluate the potential medicinal use of Daucus carota dried aerial parts and
their effect on different body functions, inflammation, bacterial infections and gastric
ulcer in rats.
Daucus carota aqueous extract was administered to rats over a one month period
along with a high saturated fat diet. Assessment of lipid profile tests revealed that,
with respect to control group, the aqueous extract reduced high density lipoprotein
(HDL) cholesterol. It showed no effect on triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density
lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol
apoB. There was also no change in liver fat content. Assessment of liver enzymes,
SGOT, SGPT, ALP and LDH, revealed that it has no effect on hepatic function. Renal
function tests exhibited a significant increase of serum Urea only; Creatinine,
Calcium, Phosphorus and Uric acid were not affected by the extract supplementation.
Serum insulin, glucose and Amylase concentrations were also not affected.
Aqueous extract of Daucus carota administered intraperitoneally to rats, showed an
anti-inflammatory activity in both acute and chronic inflammation models. Methanol
extract also showed an anti-inflammatory activity when tested in acute inflammation
model.
The results of the bacterial infection studied in vitro, revealed that Staphylococcus
aureus meti S and meti R (methicillin sensitive, and resistant respectively) showed
moderate sensitivity towards the extracts of Daucus carota (20 mg/ml). Methanol
extract showed more inhibition of the bacterial growth than aqueous extract.
The effect of Daucus carota upon gastric ulcer was also investigated in this study. In
aqueous and methanol extracts orally pretreated rats, there was a significant reduction
in ethanol induced gastric ulcers. Also, the methanol extract showed significant
curative ratio with respect to the aqueous extract treatment.
In conclusion, the results of this study reveal that wild carrot could afford a significant
protective effect upon inflammation and gastric ulcer without being harmful to
different body functions. Further similar studies on the exact modes of actions and
clinical assessment remain to be explored.
