Prevention of carcinogen-induced mouse skin papilloma by Daucus carota (wild carrot) aqueous extract

Abstract

Daucus carota L. ssp. carota is a part of the folk medicine in Lebanon where it is used to enhance immunity and protect against many ailments among which are inflammation, gastric ulcer, and diabetes. Earlier we reported anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer activities of the aqueous and methanolic extracts of the wild carrot umbels.1 Additionally, the aqueous extract of D.carota was found to possess anticancer activity against human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells2, while the oil extract exhibited chemopreventive effect against chemically induced skin cancer.3 The present study investigates the anticancer effects of the aqueous extract of D. carota umbels on DMBA-induced skin cancer in mice. The extract was administered to animals via either gavage or intraperitoneal routes for 20 weeks. Significant antitumor effects were observed with the intraperitoneal (250mg/kg body weight) mode of treatment, where the percentage of papilloma incidence, yield and volume were reduced by 28, 23 and 86.4% respectively. Gavage treatment failed to inhibit tumor incidence, yield and volume. Intraperitoneal treatment decreased hyperplasia and dermal infiltration with an increase in the level of hyperkeratosis. These findings demonstrate that Daucus carota aqueous extract possesses anti-tumor activity against DMBA-induced skin cancer.